women standing inside a fallen tree on the beach

Picture perfect: sanctuaries like Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary are a photographer's heaven. Photo: Danielle Schwarzmann/NOAA

Recreation in Sanctuaries

Sanctuaries provide an idyllic setting for a variety of recreational activities. From wreck diving to surfing, satisfy your taste for adventure while building a connection to these special areas.

snorkeler, Channel Islands NMS; Photo Rocio Lozano/MERITO Foundation;

Snorkler, CINMS. Photo: Rocio Lozano/MERITO Foundation

boy fishing from beach, Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale NMS; Photo Matt McIntosh/NOAA;

Boy fishing from beach, HIHWNMS. Photo: Matt McIntosh/NOAA

a pair of people wind surfing, Monterey Bay NMS; Photo Robert Schwemmer/NOAA;

People wind surfing, MBNMS. Photo: Robert Schwemmer/NOAA

scuba diver looking at a coral reef, Gray’s Reef NMS; Photo Greg McFall/NOAA;

Scuba diver and coral reef, GRNMS. Photo: Greg McFall/NOAA

man fishing Monterey Bay NMS; Kate Thompson/NOAA;

Man fishing, MBNMS. Photo: Kate Thompson/NOAA

diver examing a shipwreck in shallow water Thunder Bay NMS; David J. Ruck/NOAA;

Diver examining shipwreck, TBNMS. Photo: David J. Ruck/NOAA

person surfing Olympic Coast NMS; Kate Thompson/NOAA;

Person surfing, OCNMS. Photo: Kate Thompson/NOAA

kid getting ready to go canoeing Channel Islands NMS; Claire Fackler/NOAA;

Kid going canoeing, CINMS. Photo: Claire Fackler/NOAA

snorkeler swimming above a coral reef NMS of American Samoa; Wendy Cover/NOAA;

Snorkeler above coral reef, NMSAS. Photo: Wendy Cover/NOAA

kid on the beach heading toward the water with a surfboard Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale NMS; Kate Thompson/NOAA;

Kid holding a surfboard, HIHWNMS. Photo: Kate Thompson/NOAA

sail boat on the water Channel Islands NMS; Robert Schwemmer/NOAA;

Sail boat, CINMS. Photo: Robert Schwemmer/NOAA

people getting read to go out on jetskis Florida Keys NMS; David J. Ruck/NOAA;

People on Jetskis, FKNMS. Photo: David J. Ruck/NOAA

diver filming coral reef Cordell Bank NMS; Joe Hoyt/NOAA;

Diver filming coral reef, CBNMS. Photo: Joe Hoyt/NOAA

paddleboader on the water Channel Islands NMS; Kate Thompson/NOAA;

Paddleboarder on the water, CINMS. Photo: Kate Thompson/NOAA

person holding up a fish they caught Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale NMS; Matt McIntosh/NOAA;

Person holding up a fish, HIHWNMS. Photo: Matt McIntosh/NOAA

diver near a swirling school of fish Flower Garden Banks NMS; Emma Hickerson/NOAA;

Diver surrounded by school of fish, FGBNMS. Photo: Emma Hickerson/NOAA

people doing yoga on the beach Olympic Coast NMS; Karlyn Langjahr/NOAA;

People doing yoga on the beach, OCNMS. Photo: Karlyn Langjahr/NOAA

diver looking at a coral reef Gray’s Reef NMS; NMS Greg McFall/NOAA;

Diver and coral reef, GRNMS. Photo: Greg McFall/NOAA

man kayaking Monterey Bay NMS; Kate Thompson/NOAA;

Man kayaking, MBNMS. Photo: Kate Thompson/NOAA

paddleboarder Greater Farallones; Matt McIntosh/NOAA;

Man surfing, GFNMS. Photo: Matt McIntosh/NOAA