[Objective] Study the effects of microwave irradiation on isolation of basophilic and halophilic marine actinomycetes. [Methods] Seven marinemud samples were radiated by microwave and then gradient diluted for isolation of basophilic and halophilic marine actinomycetes in three media. [Results] Microwave irradiation could highly significantly increase the total quantity of basophilic and halophilic marine actinomycetes respectively in four and three marinemud samples. The total quantity of basophilic and halophilic marine rare actinomycetes of Micromonospora, Actinoplanes and Nocardia were significantly increased after microwave irradiation. The species of other marine rare actinomycetes such as Catellatospora, Microbispora, Streptosporangium were increased to one to four in different samples. [Conclusion] Microwave irradiation could significantly increase the total quantity of basophilic and halophilic marine actinomycetes and the species of marine rare actinomycetes.