2023 Get Into Your Sanctuary Photo Contest

May 26, 2023 through September 4, 2023

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Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary

Welcome to the Virtual Dive Gallery of Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary. Click on an image below to start your dive. These sanctuary views can be enjoyed on a personal computer or a smartphone. Pair your smartphone with a virtual reality headset or goggles of your choice (and click the googles icon) for an extra-immersive experience.

NOAA divers collect photographs at a low relief ledge within the Research Area of Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary

Photo time!

NOAA divers collect photographs at a low-relief ledge within the Research Area of Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary…
a typical ledge feature in the gray's reef national marine sanctuary, including an overhang under which Loggerhead sea turtles are often found resting

Cozy nook in the ledge

A typical ledge feature in the sanctuary, including an overhang under which loggerhead sea turtles are often found resting…
Three Great barracuda hover above a ledge

Barracuda

Three great barracuda hover above a ledge…

Schooling fish

Visiting divers to the sanctuary are often surrounded by schooling fish like the Atlantic spadefish...
The ledges of Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary are covered with marine organisms

Ledges of biodiversity

The ledges of Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary are covered with marine organisms…
large schools of different species of fish all moving in various directions

Fishes galore!

This image conveys what divers often experience at Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary...
low relief ledges attract schools of fish

Low-relief community

Even the low-relief ledges attract schools of fish…
acoustic receiver suspended in the water column

Acoustic receiver

Fish with implanted transmitters can be detected by instruments deployed around the sanctuary...
large purple sponge (Dysida fragilis)

Dysida fragilis

Does this large purple organism look like an animal to you?
hydrophone with fish swimming around

Hydrophone

People often think the underwater world is silent…
large sponge in the center of a reef

Barrel sponge

The large sponge seen in the center of this reef is called the stinker vase sponge…
large ledge covered in sponges

Large spongy ledge

The sponges clinging to this rock cannot move and should be tasty morsels for fish...

Images created in collaboration with The Ocean Agency. For more information regarding virtual diving in NOAA's national marine sanctuaries, contact Mitchell.Tartt@noaa.gov