Forest-forming marine macroalgae are experiencing declines worldwide due to anthropogenic stressors including pollution and climate change, with further range contractions predicted over this century. To enable effective restoration of macroalgal forests, gene banking can be used to preserve genetic diversity before it is lost forever. Macroalgae in the order Fucales exhibit direct development of gametes, thus cryopreservation via storage of living germplasm at very low temperatures represents the most straight-forward method of gene banking. We aimed to begin development of a germplasm cryopreservation protocol for Cystophora subfarcinata, a habitat-forming seaweed that has experienced substantial declines in Australia. Three commonly used cryoprotectant chemicals in macroalgae cryopreservation studies (Dimethyl sulfoxide, Propylene glycol and Glycerol) were assessed for effects on health and development of germlings. Then germlings were exposed to the least toxic cryoprotectants and frozen at 6°C/min; post-thaw health and development were measured for 14 days. Results indicated that Glycerol had the least toxic effect on growth and development of C. subfarcinata germlings, however post-thaw survival was not observed for glycerol or any CPA. These results provide a foundation for further development of a cryopreservation protocol for C. subfarcinata germlings, which may be applicable to other Fucales species in need of restoration.