2016 Get Into Your Sanctuary Photo Contest Results

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 publications. We will provide credit to photographers whenever we use any of the photos. We would like to thank all those who participated. Click each photograph to see the full version.

Sanctuary Portraits

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

photo of bleached coral — **1st Place**: A photographer captures the sunset at Second Beach in La Push, at Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. Credit: Selah Preskey Martin

photo of a flock of sanderlings on the beach — **2nd Place**: The photographer's wife dives on *Hoyt S. Vandenberg*, a sunken ship and artificial reef in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Credit: Steve Miller

photo of a nudibranch and an urchin — **3rd Place**: Beginning his scent from a dive boat in Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, this diver was greeted by schools of fish surrounding the rocky reefs of San Miguel Island. Credit: Cindy Shaw

All Submitted Photos

photo of a diver and purple hydrocoral — Diver Cindy Shaw explores Gull Island and purple hydrocoral off Santa Cruz Island in Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. Credit: Patrick Smith

photo of a diver and a wreck — A diver explores the wreck *Spirit of America* off Santa Cruz Island in Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. Credit: Patrick Smith

photo of a diver and reef — The photographer's husband dives to explore the reef at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Credit: Jessica Hogan

photo of people exploring on cliffs — From the photographer: "These people were exploring the massive wave platforms of the incredible Point Arena Stornetta Lands of the California Coastal National Monument system and of Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary." Credit: Margaret Lindgren

photo of 2 people in the water — From the photographer: "Brothers enjoying float time in the Kōʻieʻie Loko Iʻa fishpond after an afternoon of learning at the Visitor's Center." Credit: Rebeka Carpenter

photo of a 2 hands coming together to form a heart over the sunset — From the photographer: "Showing love and appreciation for Mother Nature in the Kōʻieʻie Loko Iʻa fishpond," Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Credit: Aaron Carpenter

a girl exploring a tidepool — The photographer's daughter explores a tidepool in Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. Credit: Jennifer Garcelon

photo of children exploring a tidepool — Children enjoying a NOAA/4H photography workshop and exploring a tidepool in Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. Credit: Jennifer Garcelon

photo of a whale making a close approach to a vessel — Cajun, a humpback whale, makes a close approach to a whale watch vessel in Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. Credit: Laura Lilly

a couple observing white pelicans — A couple observe American white pelicans at North Point in Sheboygan, at the proposed Wisconsin-Lake Michigan sanctuary site. Credit: Chris Rohrer

Divers prepare to enter Lake Michigan in the proposed Wisconsin-Lake Michigan sanctuary site. Credit: Tish Hase

photo of a diver in gear — Roland Chaloupka dives off of Port Washington, Wisconsin, in the proposed Wisconsin-Lake Michigan sanctuary site. Credit: Linda Chaloupka

a diver under water — Roland Chaloupka dives off of Port Washington, Wisconsin, in the proposed Wisconsin-Lake Michigan sanctuary site. Credit: Linda Chaloupka

Divers relax on a boat in the proposed Wisconsin-Lake Michigan sanctuary site. Credit: Tish Hase