National marine sanctuary offices and visitor centers closed to the public; waters remain open
NOAA's national marine sanctuary offices and visitor centers are closed to the public while the waters remain open for responsible use in accordance with CDC guidance and local regulations. More information on the response from NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries can be found on sanctuaries.noaa.gov/coronavirus/.
2020 Get Into Your Sanctuary Photo Contest results
Below are the winners and entries for the Sanctuary Recreation category. Thank you to all those who participated! Click each photograph to see the full version.
Sanctuary Recreation
National marine sanctuaries provide an idyllic setting for a variety of recreational activities. This category celebrates the people who visit them.
1st Place: Bruce Sudweeks. Skyla catches a wave in Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.2nd Place: Christina Ford. An artist takes in the views of Lighthouse State Beach in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary while oil painting.3rd Place: Bruce Sudweeks. Denizen of sites near the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary.
Harbor seals rest on a sandbar as nearby kayakers and boaters explore the Elkhorn Slough on the edge of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Jon AndersonA kayaker enjoys clear waters and calm conditions near a sea arch on Santa Cruz Island. Photo: Dustin HarrisSurfers call it a day at Pacific Grove’s Asilomar Beach. Photo: Meg McWhinney
Two kayakers paddle into a small sea cave on Santa Cruz Island. Photo: Dustin HarrisHelmets and PFDs on, kayakers make ready to navigate through the rocks and craggy archway northwest of Pelican Bay on the northside of Santa Cruz Island, the largest isle off the California Coast. Photo: Chuck GrahamThis shot was taken from my kayak on the northside of Santa Cruz Island, part of the Channel Islands National Park. Along with Anacapa Island, Santa Cruz Island is honeycombed with toothy sea caves. Photo: Chuck Graham
I’m paddling between Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa Islands in the Santa Cruz Passage with solar panel resting on top of a dry bag. Photo: Chuck GrahamA diver watches a Loggerhead Sea Turtle head to the surface for a breath of air. Photo: Stan SchoneDivers explore the unique geological formations of the Stetson Bank. Photo: Stan Schone
Social distancing means the dive shop is closed so the owners and kid are going out solo. After a trip out to snorkel, sometimes the most fun part is rinsing off in the freshwater rinse bin at the dock, complete with an epic hair swirl! Photo: Jeanie GreenmakiGranddaughters on Moss Beach, Fitzgerald Marine Reserve Forest. Photo: Dennis DevineMeasuring Turtle Morphology, Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale Marine Sanctuary, Oahu, Hawaii. Photo: John Taschner
The hearts of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Doug BoydHawaiian Current in Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary with whales visible from shoreline. Photo: John TaschnerSheri Sudweeks free diving in the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Bruce Sudweeks
Two scuba divers (approximately 80' feet deep) exploring the Grecian Shipwreck, almost exactly 114 years after it sunk. Photo: Kate BergTwo scuba divers (approximately 80' feet deep) exploring the Grecian Shipwreck, almost exactly 114 years after it sunk. Photo: Kate BergOne scuba diver (approximately 80' feet deep) exploring the Montana Shipwreck, a 235 foot sidewheel steamer Photo: Kate Berg
A kayaking couple enjoys a distanced view of the birds at Carmel River State Beach. Photo: Lisa CarpenterA Perfect Day Cruzing "The Hook." Dog walkers, surfers, and surfing watchers enjoy a great June day! Photo: Christina FordSheri Sudweeks stand up paddler near a Great White. Photo: Bruce Sudweeks
A SUP-er explores the wrecks of Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Kate SutterA SUP-er explores the wrecks of Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Kate SutterA diver jumps in on a perfect summer day for a clean-up dive on an Islamorada Reef. Photo: Tiffany Duong
Sanctuary recreation can be fun and environmentally beneficial. A diver spears a lionfish (Pterois miles) coming up from Canyon Lands Reef in Islamorada. Spearing by divers and freedivers is an important maintenance tool to keep populations of the invasive lionfish in check. Photo: Tiffany DuongThere’s nothing better than coming up after a beautiful dive with perfect conditions. Photo: Tiffany DuongA coral restoration practitioner fragments endangered staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis) to propagate and grow more coral that will eventually be restored back to the reef. Photo: Tiffany Duong
Shipwreck is the L.M. Mason at Presque Isle. Photo: Marc HoeksemaShipwreck is the L.M. Mason at Presque Isle. Photo: Marc Hoeksema"A Wet Dog is a Happy Dog." Lighthouse State Beach, Santa Cruz, CA. Photo: Christina Ford
In unusually calm waters surrounding Santa Cruz Island, kayakers explore the coastline. Photo: Dustin Harris
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 recreation in the National Marine Sanctuary System. These photos are not for sale and are not for commercial use unless prior permission is arranged.
