2022 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 Recreation

National marine sanctuaries provide an idyllic setting for a variety of recreational activities. This category celebrates the people who visit them.

From inside of the cave, a large group of kayakers paddling near by.
1st Place: Dustin Harris. Paddlers near Scorpion Anchorage, in Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, explore sea caves and rock gardens. Kayaking allows for visitors to the Sanctuary and National Park to get up-close and personal with all of the unique ecosystems and features that inspired this area to be protected.
Sailboat turning on its side as it navigates challenging waves during a race.
2nd Place: John F. Hunter. Sailing with friends at the races with rocky waves in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Child and dog, both wearing life vests, dolphin watch from a rigif inflatale boat.
3rd Place: Jessie Simon. Dolphin watching is fun for everyone! Pictured here, a child and furry friend (canine) search for dolphins in Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary.
Group of surfers ride large barreling wave.
Honorable Mention: Robert Weber. A party wave is when everyone drops in. The winter surf rolling in from Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary to Waimea Bay on Oahu's North Shore brings out the big wave riders.
Silhouette of diver with rig in the background near vibrant corals.
Honorable Mention: Roger Veteto. 'Rigscape' - A diver, fish and coral on a rig at Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary encounters orange cup coral (Tubastraea coccinea) and blue chromis (Chromis cyanea).
Back to category winners

All submitted photos

Sailboat anchored in the distance between large rocky islands.
Boat anchored near the Scorpion Anchorage area of Santa Cruz Island. Photo: Kristy Porteous.
Man squatting near tide pool to get a closer look.
Tide pool exploration in Pacific Grove, Monterey Bay. Photo: Allison Formica.
Dolphins swimming in the waves, one comes up for air while another one is submerged.
"The common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) that swam to our boat seemed to be as interested in watching humans as we were in wildlife watching in Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. These and others in the pod approached from the rear in an appropriate parallel path." Photo: Kevin McCarthy.
Whale watching boat near a whale fluke.
Whale watching is a popular activity in Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary with hundreds of thousands of visitors treated to views of majestic animals, such as this diving humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae). Photo: Kevin McCarthy.
Group of kite surfers near the rocky terrain of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Kite surfing is one of the many recreational activities that take place in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. This image was captured near Waddell Creek and Big Basin State Beach. Photo: Beth Darr.
Snorkler swims underwater near sea turtle.
The green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) is commonly found in Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. This snorkeler spotted one near the Big Island of Hawai'i, at Kekaha Kai State Park. Photo: Bruce Sudweeks.
Paddle boarder off shore encounters a white shark.
You never know what you may see paddle boarding in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary! This paddle boarder is encountering a white shark (Carcharodon carharias). Althought encountering wildlife may be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, make sure to stay back and do not approach marine life, for your safety and the animal's. Image was taken near New Brighton State Beach. Photo: Bruce Sudweeks.
Aerial view of paddle boarder over a sunked ship.
A stand-up paddleboarder over the shipwreck William P. Rend in the NOAA Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Bryan Dort.
Dog on leash sits on top of cement sphere.
Oswego Marina, near Lake Ontario, a proposed national marine sanctuary, with a fellow canine. Photo: Caitlin Montagnola.
People dressed warmly stand near coast and look out into the ocean.
"While photographing the tide pools in the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, my wife and I were joined by another couple who was hoping to catch some views of whales that frequent the waters just off the coast." Photo: Carlton Thompson.
Palm tree silhouette with ocean horizon in the distance, orange and yellow skys as the sun sets.
This was taken in Maui during a classic Hawaiian sunset, where locals were enjoying a golden sunset with friends overlooking the oceans searching for marine life activity. Photo: Clarissa Cervantes.
Standing above a Pacific white-sided dolphin in a crystal clear ocean.
'Self Portrait' - "My favorite cetacean is the Pacific White-sided Dolphin (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens). It's so fun to be out in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary when these dolphins are around. This one was zooming in to ride in the bow wave of our boat." Photo: Douglas Croft.
Two divers underwater holding research gear.
Two fish surveyors from Reef Environmental Education Foundation researching fish populations at North Dry Rocks off Key Largo in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Daryl Duda.
Group of divers underwater near reef.
Underwater photographers in class in Hawaii Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Donna Rodes Goodale.
A group of paddlers navigate the rugged cliff sides of Santa Cruz Island.
Kayaking around the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary affords visitors spectacular opportunities to get up-close and personal with the landscape and wildlife on their terms. Photo: Dustin Harris.
POV photo from a kayak in a cave surrounded by green water.
Kayaking into the Green Room cave, offshore of Santa Cruz Island in the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary is always a treat. Immense wind and waves have carved out this cave, but on a calm day the light flourishes from below to create a beautiful glow. Photo: Dustin Harris.
Kayaker next to side of massive wreck partially out of water.
The M.V. Accomac was abandoned at Mallows Bay in 1973 and remains the most visible and recognizable wreck of the sanctuary. Next to a kayaker, it is clear how massive this Ghost Fleet wreck is. Photo: J P Brooks.
Shipwreck tour en route.
Shipwreck tours are a great way to explore the history of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Tanya Iretskaia.
Looking into a glass-bottom boat.
Have you ever been on a glass-bottom boat? Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary is known to have spectacular glass-bottom boat tours to see the wrecks without getting wet. Photo: Tanya Iretskaia.
Hand holding a watercolor painting of the coastal scenery shown in the background.
A watercolor painting of Bodega Head in the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary. Art and photo by Jacqueline Rajerison.
Large sailboat on the water as the sun sets, palm trees frame the image.
Sunset sail at Fort Zachary Taylor. Photo: Jack Louden
Silhouette of children fishing off a cliff as the sunsets on the ocean.
Sunset in Selkirk Shore State Park, near Lake Ontario. Photo: Kim Beaver
Person taking a photo of kayakers exploring the wrecks of Mallows Bay Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary.
Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary's annual Pride Paddle in support of the LGBTQ+ community. Photo: Kenneth Walker
Crowd of people on the beach.
Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary is located near popular beaches. Photo: Leslie Rootsaert
Crowd of people on the beach.
A day at the beach in Hawai'i with family and friends is the perfect way to soak up the sun. Photo: Leslie Rootsaert
Fisherman on the beach.
This fisherman is enjoying Labor Day Weekend by responsibly recreating in Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Leslie Rootsaert
S.S. Ohio shipwreck resting at the bottom of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
'Silent Shipwreck' - The S.S. Ohio rests 300 feet below Lake Huron in Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve, Presque Isle, Lake Huron. Photo: Jeff Lindsay
S.S. Ohio Shipwreck resting at the bottom of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
'Silent History' - The shipwreck of the S.S. Ohio rests 300 feet below Lake Huron, recently located. Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve, Presque Isle, Lake Huron. Photo: Jeff Lindsay
Group of standing people observe a presentation.
Divers celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the recover of Monitor's iconic turret at the Mariners' Museum and Park with Monitor National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Mark Losavio
Group of visitors wearing VR googles.
Visitors to The Mariners' Museum and Park virtually explore the wreck of the USS Monitor presented by Monitor National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Mark Losavio
Four kayakers in two kayaks on the river.
Kayaking across Mallows Bay Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary in Nanjemoy, MD. Photo: Mirjam P. Spaar
Kayakers face a wreck on the river.
Kayakers checking out one of the wrecks in the Burning Basin Area of Mallows Bay Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Mirjam P. Spaar
Dolphin jumps out of the water, facing boaters.
Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, near Anacapa Island, are full of cetaceans, such as the common dolphin (Delphinus delphis). Photo: Jessie Simon
Child watches dolphins swimming in the waves from a rigid inflatable boat.
Children can gain a unique appreciation for the ocean at a young age by visiting national marine sanctuaries and encoutering wildlife firsthand. Photo: Jessie Simon
Woman sits on rocky coast and overlooks rough waves.
A lone woman sits and watches the powerful incoming surf along California's Asilomar Coastal Trail, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Patrick Stoll
Diver at top of rope dropping into the ocean, a filefish stares up at the bottom.
'Aligned' - A diver looks at a scrawled filefish (Aluterus scriptus), or is it vice versa? Photo: Roger Veteto
Diver at top of rope dropping into the ocean, a filefish stares up at the bottom.
Hooked up, offshore fly fishing at Woods Wall, south of American Shoal Lighthouse in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Jessica Connell
Man holding fishing poll and canine walking down a white sand beach.
Exploring the Marquesa Islands, near Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, side-kick and rod in hand. Photo: Jessica Connell
Two people sit on paddle board in the Florida Keys.
Paddleboarding the mangroves at Saddle Hill Key in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Jessica Connell
Woman sitting on padde board on the water surrounded by mangroves.
Paddle-boarding through mangrove tunnels at Saddle Hill Key in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Jessica Connell
Over-under snorkeler selfie with crystal clear water and lighthouse in the background.
This photo was snapped in Alligator Reef located in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. The lighthouse pictured above that used to be used to protect ships and sailors is now a monument to protecting the aquatic life below it as it is one of the more recognizable snorkeling structures in the Upper Keys. Photo: Michael Sipos
Underwater shot of snorkeler diving down to get a closer look at a reef.
This photo was snapped at the Alligator Reef Sanctuary located in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Pictured is a snorkeler observing the beauty of the seafans below swaying after each passing wave. Photo: Michael Sipos
Three people hike on a trail with ocean in the distance.
NOAA Dr. Nancy Foster Scholars enjoying an afternoon hike on Santa Cruz Island in the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Taylor Williams
Three people explore tide pools with mountainous coastaline in the background.
NOAA Dr. Nancy Foster Scholars tidepooling on Santa Cruz Island in the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Taylor Williams
Footprints on the sand as a wave rolls up the beach.
Footprints in the sand near the water's edge in Barefoot Beach, Florida. Photo: Saskia Angela Weber
Sailboat silhouette as sun is setting on the ocean.
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is the perfect place for a sunset sail. Photo: Saskia Angela Weber
Man wearing a spooky mask wrapping arms around a plank in the sand, one of the man's hands is disguised as a branch. Photo is black and white.
A spooky visitor at Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Stuart Bass

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.