The absolute configuration of antiinflammatory marine sesterterpenes belonging to the manoalide and cacospongionolide structural type has been determined by comparison of the CD spectra of the natural compounds with those of analogues that have been stereoselectively synthesized. In the derived acetates the relative stereochemistry of the stereogenic centres in the pyranofuranone moiety is assigned from 1H‐NMR data and the absolute configuration from CD spectra. The absolute configuration of the naturally occurring marine sesterterpenes thorectolide monoacetate, manoalide monoacetate, petrosaspongiolide M and cavernosolide has been determined.