2016 Get Into Your Sanctuary Photo Contest Results
Thank you to all the photographers who shared their view of national marine sanctuaries with us! Click each photograph to see the full version.
Please note that we may use any of the photos we received for this contest on our website, on social media, and in other NOAA and National Marine Sanctuary Foundation publications. We will provide credit to photographers whenever we use any of the photos. Organizations other than NOAA and the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation may use photographs submitted in this contest to promote sustainable and responsible activities in the National Marine Sanctuary System, as long as the photographer is credited. These photos are not for sale and are not for commercial use unless prior permission is arranged.
Sanctuary Views
See the beautiful scenery of the National Marine Sanctuary System through visitors' eyes..
1st Place: A foaga site on Tutuila Island, National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa. The basins in this volcanic rock have been worn over the years by people making stone tools. Credit: Jason Jaskowiak 2nd Place: Stacked river rock on Ruby Beach, Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. Credit: Selah Preskey Martin. 3rd Place: Molasses Reef in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, complete with French, bluestriped, caesar, and Spanish grunts, as well as yellow goatfish and gray, lane, and mahogany snappers. Credit: Daryl Duda
All Submitted Photos
Anacapa Island in Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. Credit: Kevin Ward Sunset leaving Anacapa Island, Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. Credit: Ken Tatro Bull kelp on the Near Johnson's Lee at the south side of Santa Rosa Island in Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. Credit: Stuart Halewood
Garibaldi and golden gorgonian in the kelp forest off Santa Barbara Island in Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. Credit: Kelly TeichLight through giant kelp blades near Santa Cruz Island in Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. Credit: Stuart Halewood Gray whales in Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. Credit: Stuart Halewood
Sunset at Johnson's Lee, Santa Rosa Island, in Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. Credit: Stuart HalewoodBlooms atop San Miguel Island, overlooking Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. Credit: Cindy ShawFrom the photographer: "The underwater landscape of the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary rivals any topside views. This purple hydrocoral beckoned exploration at Gull Island by Santa Cruz Island." Credit: Cindy Shaw
A sailboat and brown pelican in Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. Credit: Ken TatroKayakers in Scorpion Bay, Santa Cruz Island, in Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. Credit: Lola Lynch The kelp forest near San Miguel Island, Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. Credit: Kelly Teich
Looking west at the east end of Anacapa Island in Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. Credit: Ken TatroSunrise over Anacapa Island, Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. Credit: Patrick SmithFrom the photographer: "Sunset aboard the dive boat M/V Fling during last summer’s “Down Under Out Yonder” Coral Reef Workshop and Scuba Diving Experience for educators sponsored by the Gulf of Mexico Foundation and NOAA." Credit: Bruce Stewart
Endangered Acropora cervicornis coral in the reef of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Credit: Jessica HoganA boat winch at Winch Hole, Molasses Reef, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Credit: Steve MillerFrom the photographer: "This green sea turtle glided by me out of the blue (literally) at Grecian Rocks in Key Largo, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. For several minutes it swam alongside me with a curious demeanor, allowing me to capture this photo of the breathtaking encounter." Credit: Meredith Kucik
From the photographer: "Sailboat intruding on the last moments of sunset" in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Credit: Jessica HoganA blue heron sits in a tree at sunset in Stump Pass Beach State Park, near Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Credit: Craig CrosonStump Pass Beach State Park, near Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, at sunset. Credit: Craig Croson
Winter sunset in mangroves. Credit: Allie MeuserA school of yellow goatfish cruises around Molasses Reef in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Credit: Daryl DudaBowling Ball Beach in Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary. Credit: Margaret Lindgren
From the photographer: "The wind blown dunes of Walk On Beach in The Sea Ranch, CA. These dunes are vital to the repopulation of sand on our beaches. They're not just for looks -- they have purpose!" These incredible dunes are located along the northern region of Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary. Credit: Margaret LindgrenElephant seals in Cambria, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Credit: Laurel JonesPiedras Blancas Light Station, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Credit: Laurel Jones
Sunset at Cambria, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Credit: Laurel JonesSunset at Leffingwell Landing, Cambria, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Credit: Laurel JonesFrom the photographer: "Looking at the beautiful coastal spruce forest that comes right down to the beach" at Cedar Creek, Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. Credit: Mandy Miller
From the photographer: "Looking at the beautiful coastal spruce forest that comes right down to the beach" at Cedar Creek, Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. Credit: Mandy MillerFrom the photographer: "Looking at the beautiful coastal spruce forest that comes right down to the beach" at Cedar Creek, Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. Credit: Mandy MillerSunset at Cedar Creek, Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. Credit: Mandy Miller
Sunset at Cedar Creek, Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. Credit: Mandy MillerCedar Creek, Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. Credit: Mandy MillerCedar Creek, Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. Credit: Mandy Miller
Crab on the beach in Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. Credit: Kellen GarcelonThe end of the Cape Flattery Trail in Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. Credit: Kellen GarcelonDriftwood on Ruby Beach, Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, at sunset. Credit: Selah Preskey Martin
Sand Point, Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. Credit: Mandy MillerA double rainbow over Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. Credit: Laura LillyRockport Harbor, Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. Credit: Ashlyn Biundo
Ropes in Rockport Harbor, near Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. Credit: Ashlyn BiundoSunrise over Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. Credit: Laura LillyFloral growth on the Port Washington south beach near the proposed Wisconsin-Lake Michigan sanctuary site. Credit: Linda Chaloupka
Looking south to the Port Washington lighthouse by the proposed Wisconsin-Lake Michigan sanctuary site. Credit: Linda ChaloupkaPort Washington, near the proposed Wisconsin-Lake Michigan sanctuary site. Credit: Tish HaseLooking north from Sandy Beach Road in Belgium Wisconsin, near the proposed Wisconsin-Lake Michigan sanctuary site. Credit: Linda Chaloupka
The Port Washington marina and lighthouse by the proposed Wisconsin-Lake Michigan sanctuary site. Credit: Linda ChaloupkaThe Port Washington Wisconsin lighthouse, near the proposed Wisconsin-Lake Michigan sanctuary site. Credit: Linda ChaloupkaThe two light stations protecting the entry point to the Port Washington, Wisconsin harbor, near the proposed Wisconsin-Lake Michigan sanctuary site. Credit: Linda Chaloupka
The Port Washington Marina in Port Washington, Wisconsin, near the proposed Wisconsin-Lake Michigan sanctuary site. Credit: Suzanne Schreiner