2022 Get Into Your Sanctuary Photo Contest Results

Below are the winners and entries for the Sanctuary Views category. Thank you to all those who participated! Click each photograph to see the full version.

Sanctuary Views

See the beauty of the National Marine Sanctuary System through visitors' eyes.

Aerial view of waves breaking on a rocky shoreline.
1st Place: Leighton Lum. Green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) at sunset on Maui's west coast.
Aerial view of waves breaking on a rocky shoreline.
2nd Place: Rich Formica. Carmel By The Sea, one of the most beautiful meetings of land and sea.
Distant islands through a driftwood frame. Photo is taken from inside a piece of driftwood on the beach.
3rd Place: Allison Formica. Driftwood frame at Ruby Beach in Olympic National Park, near Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary.
Shipwreck sitting on the bottom of Lake Huron.
Honorable Mention: Jeff Lindsay. 'Wreck of the Ohio' - The S.S. Ohio rests 300' below Lake Huron in Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve, Presque Isle.
Man and boy watch the sunet atop a rock on a beach.
Honorable Mention: Patrick Stoll. Joy! Father and son are enchanted by sunset at Carmel Beach, CA, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Back to category winners

All Submitted Photos

Great blue heron in a nest atop a tree.
Nest building by a great blue heron (Ardea herodias) in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Black and white Nudibrach swimming around coral.
Tide pool nudibranch (Nudibranchia) in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Red and white Nudibranch swimming across a rock bed.
Tide pool nudibranch (Nudibranchia) in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
A beach filled with seagulls and pelicans.
Seagulls (Larinae) and brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
A hill behind a beach full of seagulls and pelicans.
Shoreline birds- pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) and gulls (Larinae)- with dunes in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Cliffs near the ocean on a partly cloudy day.
Where the mountains meet the ocean.
Sunrise along the coast with sky filled with colors of blue, pink, yellow and orange..
Sunrise on the coast.
Sunset along Selkirk Shores State Park Beach.
A view towards Selkirk Shores State Park Beach near Lake Ontario before sundown.
Sunset along a rocky shoreline.
A view of the sunset at Selkirk Shores State Park Beach near Lake Ontario.
Sun setting on the horizon with a dark cloud partially blocking the sun.
The sun setting behind a large, dark cloud at Selkirk Shores State Park Beach near Lake Ontario.
Low tide along a rocky beach with many tidepools found between the rocks
Rocky tide pools in Pacific Grove by Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Distant islands through a driftwood frame. Photo is taken from inside a piece of driftwood on the beach.
Driftwood frame at Ruby Beach in Olympic National Park, near Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary.
Tressel bride alongside a beach.
Bridge in Russian Gulch, Mendocino near Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary.
Small lighthouse at sunset on the ocean horizon.
Point Cabrillo Lighthouse at sunset in Cape Mendocino near Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary.
Humpback whale breaching the surface of the water.
Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary appears to be a vast open expanse of water that can be interrupted by the startling and amazing sight of a humpback whale ( Megaptera novaeangliae) breaching out from the depths.
The top of a whale's tail protruding from the water.
Common views in Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary are the flukes of diving humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). Researchers name these whales based on the distinctive patterns on the undersides of their tails. This whale was named "Springboard."
Two sailboats at sunrise.
'Sunrise Sonata' - Sunrise in Cowell's Beach/Santa Cruz Wharf, near Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Waves crashing along a rocky shore.
'Splash Zone' - Waves splash when hitting a rocky coast in Westcliff Dr, Santa Cruz, near Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Fried egg Jellyfish floating near the surface.
Fried egg jellyfish (Phacellophora camtschatica) by Monastery Beach, in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
A piece of seaweed floating underwater.
A kelp forest underwater.
Kelp forest (Macrocystis pyrifera) near Anacapa Island in Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary.
Woman on rock watching the sun set on a shoreline.
"Located in the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, my wife and I got the ability to experience the tide pools up and close while on our honeymoon."
An orange sunrise along a shoreline.
A gorgeous sunrise within Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary at low tide.
Low tide along a rocky beach.
Low tide within Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary provides many opportunities for guests to catch immaculate views.
Rocky shoreline filled with birds.
This particular winter day in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary was calm. Local birds and marine life were very active. A brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) is seen taking flight.
Humpback whale plaque with ocean in the background.
"Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary in Maui is my favorite spot in the world to see whales from a distance, either shore or sea. The best season is from November through April, when there is a lot of whale activity, any time of the day is nature's showtime!"
Lighthouse atop a rock along the shoreline, a boat nearby.
'Historic Sanctuary' - Black and white image in Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, taken during a birthday boating trip with family. "Visiting the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary was my 40th birthday gift because of my passion for the oceans, history and marine life."
Sunset along a beach with people and a lighthouse.
Sunset at Santa Cruz Lighthouse by Twin Lakes Beach, near Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Silhouette of children and dogs playing on a beach as the sunset's reflection on small tidepools fills the sand.
Sunset at Lighthouse Cove Beach in Santa Cruz, near Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Silouette from afar of people on the beach at dusk.
Lighthouse Cove Beach at dusk, in Santa Cruz, CA, near Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Fog moving around rocks on the beach at dusk.
Misty sunset on West Cliff Drive, in Santa Cruz, near Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Illuminated lighthouse during the night.
Surfing Museum Lighthouse Point, in Santa Cruz, CA, near Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Silhouette of sunset over an island.
Sunset at Point Sur, near Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Waves crashing along a beach with a piece of driftwood in the sand.
Different shades of blue, skies and ocean, in Kauai, near Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.
Footprints along a beach with light blue waves crashing on a rocky shoreline.
Stoll on the beautiful beach in Kauai, near Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.
Island with the sun shining overhead. Photo is taken in black and white.
Black and white image of Nihoa Island, by Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.
View of an island through a porthole.
Nihoa Island by Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument through a porthole.
Bird flying over an island, small clouds in the sky.
Nihoa Island by Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument on a partly cloudy day.
Workers wearing hardhats on a ship look over to something in the ocean, island in the distance.
Workers looking out on the beautiful Nihoa Island, by Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.
Workers on a ship look over to something in the ocean. Black and white image.
Workers looking out on the beautiful Nihoa Island, by Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. Image is taken in black and white.
Workers on a boat with an island in the distance.
Workers enjoying the view of Nihoa Island, by Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.
An island in the distance from the stern of a ship with cotton candy skies during sunset.
Nihoa Island, by Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument looks beautiful from a ship during sunset.
Worker wearing a hardhat looking our at an island in the distance from a ship.
Worker on ship enjoying the view of Nihoa Island, by Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.
Two birds in flight near the side of an island on a cloudy day.
Two birds soaring near Nihoa Island, by Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.
Waves along a beach and rocky shoreline.
Sea and overcast sky by cliffs in Aptos, C, near Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Vibrant orange, blue, purple, yellow sunset along the shoreline with cliffs in the distance.
'King Sunset' - Vibrant sunset in Ana Nuevo, CA, near Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Overcast skies as waves break along a rocky shoreline.
'Lost Pacific' - Overcast skies with waves crashing on the rocky shores of Big Sur, CA, near Montery Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Sun setting behind two similar shaped bolders the beach.
'Twin Sunset' - Two bolders on the beach in Aña Nuevo, CA.
Vibrant sunset along a sandy beach with someone swimming in the calm waves.
'Golden Sunset' - Someone enjoying the calm waves in Aptos, CA at sunset.
Pod of dolphins jumping in the waves.
"A pod of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) escorted us on our way out to French Reef off Key Largo in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary."
School of grunts hiding under coral.
Bluestriped (Haemulon sciurus), Caesar (Haemulon carbonarium), Smallmouth (Haemulon chrysargyreum), and French grunts (Haemulon flavolineatum) find an overhang at Pickles Reef with a large outcropping of staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis) outplanted by the Coral Restoration Foundation off Tavernier in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
Large school of tomtate grunts swim just above a coral reef.
A large aggregation of tomtate grunts (Haemulon) rises up in the water column on the Benwood Wreck off Key Largo in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
Pine sapling along the waterline.
Juvenile pine tree (Pinus) in Olympic National Marine Sanctuary.
Wooden whale tail floating in the water with rope attached.
Wooden whale tail in Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.
The Milky Way above a rocky shoreline.
Under a star-filled sky with the Milky Way shining above, a camper looks into the waters of Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary from the pier at Scorpion Anchorage, Santa Cruz Island.
A meadow on cliffs overlooking islands in the distance.
Hiking near Cavern Point, Santa Cruz Island, affords fantastic views across Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary in every direction. Looking to the east, all of Anacapa Island and the surrounding protected waters glow in the setting sun.
The sun sets on a cliff-side meadow overlooking islands in the distance.
Hiking the bluff trails on Santa Cruz Island gives breathtaking views over the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. Looking east beyond the setting sun, all three islets of Anacapa Island are visible.
A white boat anchored along a rocky shoreline on a clear blue day.
Peering down from way above the ocean, visitors can still see the lush kelp forests and rocky reefs of Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. Nearby to Santa Cruz Island lies Scorpion Rock, a protected space for seabirds to rest, nest, and look for their next meals.
Tide pool with sea stacks in the distance.
'Sea Stacks' - Captured in Shi-Shi Beach, at Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary.
Warm sunrise over a tide pool with some clouds in the sky.
Sunrise over the Kaiwi Channel in Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary viewed from tide pools on the southeast shore of Oahu. On the horizon are the islands of Moloka’i, Maui, and Lanai. Someone once said, “My favorite color is sunrise.”
Galaxy of stars over a sandy beach.
An early morning walk along the ocean at the edge of the galaxy. Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary is not just an extraordinary terrestrial marine sanctuary, but also an amazing dark sky place to observe the ocean of stars above us.
Looking down from the top of an oceanside cliff, waves break along the rocky shoreline.
Big Sur coastline in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Sunset on a sandy beach with beach grass.
Sunset view of Monterey Bay from Seaside, in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Tree growing out of a rocky cliff in the ocean.
Lone Cypress off of 17-Mile Drive in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Coral reef exposed by low tide.
Low tide in Aoa, American Samoa. Coral reefs can be seen during low tide in Aoa, in National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa.
Sunset on a rocky shoreline.
Capturing the stunning sunset in Sa'ilele, in National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa.
Green meadow with forest covered mountains in the background.
View from Lions Park in National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa.
Exposed coral reefs at low tide.
Corals reefs at low tide in Aoa, National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa.
Palm tree silhouette on coastline at sunset.
Sunset in Aoa Village in National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa.
Pier posts sticking up out of the water.
Perspective at Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary.
Ribs of a ship sticking out of the water.
Twisted Metal Remains of Ghost Ship at Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary
Multiple remains on old ships poking out of the water.
The Three Sisters Ghost Ships at Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary with fall colors in background.
Island made from the remains of an old ship.
Nature reclaims Ghost Ship at Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary.
Bow of an old shipwreck.
Bow of Ghost Ship at Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary.
Multiple shipwrecks in the water.
Wide View of Ghost Ships at Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary.
Outline of an old shipwreck in the water.
Outline of a large sunken ship at Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary.
Outline of cylinders underwater.
Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary contains many protected wrecks that can be seen from above the clear water.
Sunset over the lake.
Beautiful sunset in Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Old pier posts and rocks underwater.
Clear water in Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Waves breaking along a rocky shoreline.
A view from above a cove with boulders and tide pools. Located off of Highway 1 in Jenner, CA, as part of the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary.
Rocky cove at low tide.
A panoramic view of the north cove of Twin Coves in Jenner, CA, part of the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary. In the distance are tall rocks creating a gateway into the southern cove.
Rock arch covered in urchins.
A rock arch during low tide in Point Arena Stornetta Public Lands, part of Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary. Along the walls are holes carved out by Pacific purple sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus).
Aerial view of an island city.
Coastal living at it's finest.
Remote island surrounded by water.
Precious island sanctuary.
Waves crashing along a beach on an overcast day.
San Miguel Island, Harris Point, in Channel Islands National Park.
Yellow sky over a lighthouse.
"One of the most incredible sunsets ever in Steamer Lane, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, in Santa Cruz, CA."
Pelicans sitting atop a rock.
Brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) gathered at Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary.
Cloudy sky over the water.
Mallows Bay-National Marine Sanctuary from Widewater, VA.
People walking along a beach.
The perfect place to spend quality time with nature, friends, and family.
Waves breaking over lava rocks in Hawaii.
North Beach, Oahu has beautiful views of Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.
Pacific island landscape.
Calm waves in Turtle Beach, Kailua, Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.
People on North Beach enjoying the waves.
Ocean views from a meadow in North Beach, Oahu.
Palm trees along a rocky shoreline.
Near the water's edge in Pu’uhonua o Honaunau, Big Island.
View of a beach atop a grassy mountain ridge.
Breaktaking view of Waipio Valley, Big Island from above.
Shipwreck sitting on the bottom of Lake Huron.
'Wreck of the Ohio' - The S.S. Ohio rests 300' below Lake Huron in Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve, Presque Isle.
Makeshift table atop two tree stumps on a beach.
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary shoreline at Tavernier Bird Center.
A pier at sunset.
Sunset at the Islamorada shoreline, in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
A lone wreck in the fog.
The Accomac beset by fog on a cool spring day in Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary.
Albatross flying over the water at sunset.
Laysan Albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis) glide over the ocean during sunset in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.
Rocky and wooded shoreline.
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary at Point Lobos, near Granite Point Lookout.
Steps heading down to the water.
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary at Point Lobos, Whaler's Cove.
Flock of pelicans feeding in the water.
Brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) feeding frenzy, off the shore of Anacapa Island in Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary.
Rock arch in the water.
This is the Anacapa Arch in Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary.
Yellow flowers in a meadow overlooking a rocky shoreline.
Views of Anacapa Island from Santa Cruz Island, Scorpion Anchorage. In the foreground you can see the blooming invasive mustard. This photo was taken in Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary.
Full moon setting behind a volcano.
A shot of the full moon taken from the shores of Hilo Bay as it starts to set behind Mauna Kea in Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.
Skyscapers in the distance from a nearby marina.
In the glow of a beautiful sunset, a view of iconic Diamond Head through the trees of the near Hickam Marina on the shores of Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.
School of fish swimming around a lighthouse and coral.
The amount of fish and life at the Alligator Reef Lighthouse in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is always astounding.
A sea turtle swimming with fish above the coral reef.
"Being able to capture the reefscape in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is always a privilege. I was lucky to have this green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) and barracuda (Sphyraena) pose as subjects for the shot."
White fluffy cloud above calm waters.
"Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is known for its calm waters. I loved the reflection of the cloud against the waters as well as the sargassum."
Part of a shipwreck recovered and on display in Monitor National Marine Sanctuary's Visitor Center.
Brought up from the Monitor at Monitor National Marine Sanctuary, as seen at the Visitor Center.
Tree grows in the middle of an old shipwreck.
Vegetation takes over the Old Ships at Mallows Bay National Marine Sanctuary in Nanjemoy, MD.
Shipwreck sitting in the water.
The Accomac at Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary in Janjemoy, MD.
Shipwreck surrounded by trees.
One of approximately 200 wrecks in the Ghost Fleet at Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary.
Hull of a shipwreck sticking out of the water.
Only seen at low tide from the shore at Mallows Bay-National Marine Sanctuary.
Part of a shipwreck sticking out of the water.
Sea Scout at Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary.
Multiple shipwrecks in the water.
The Ghost Fleet in Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary.
Preserved cannon from a shipwreck.
Museum exhibit of preserved cannon which was recovered from the Monitor and now on display in Monitor National Marine Sanctuary's Visitor Center.
Drawing of a whale.
The Northern right whale (Eubalaena glacialis), is an endangered whale species threatened by vessel strikes and entanglement in fishing nets off the East Coast. Proposed Hudson Canyon National Marine Sanctuary aims to protect these animals with "special protection zones" and during migration north to feeding grounds in Labrador.
Rock arch and a lighthouse sitting atop a cliff, dog is pictured on the boat.
"Captain Zeus takes a break from steering the boat to pose for a picture."
Rock arch in the water.
The sun glints off the water around Anacapa Island in Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary.
Forest atop a rocky cliff.
"As the University of Washington's R/V Robertson headed to shore after a day of ocean exploration research, the team was treated to a front row ticket to nature's greatest performance. We waved goodbye as the sun closed the curtain on another spectacular day on the Olympic Coast."
Two sea turtles on a beach heading back in the water.
Green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) at sunset on Maui's west coast.
Sunset over a marina.
A beautiful sunset at Wright’s Landing near Lake Ontario.
Two people watch the sunset on a rocky shore.
Sunset at Pinos Point, Asilomar Coastal Marine Sanctuary, part of the larger Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Man and boy watch the sunet atop a rock on a beach.
Joy! Father and son are enchanted by sunset at Carmel Beach, CA, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Kelp on a sandy beach.
Dramatic clouds above storm-tossed piles of kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) along California's Asilomar Beach, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Couple watch the sunset on a rocky shoreline.
Final rays of the setting sun illuminates a balloon pod milk-vetch (Astragalus whitneyi) at Lucas Point, Pacific Grove, California, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Breaking wavs along a rocky shoreline.
Under dramatic wind-shredded clouds, a mother and daughter are bathed in the final rays of the setting sun at Pinos Point, Pacific Grove, CA, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Tide pool at sunset.
The final rays of the setting sun illuminates a tide pool below a group of spectators along Pinos Point, Pacific Grove, CA, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Palm trees along a ridge overlooking the ocean.
Endangered loulu (Pritchardia remote) from the top of a ridge on beautiful Nihoa, one of two high islands within Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.
Light refracted on the ocean floor.
'Underwater Calm' at Po'olenalena beach, Maui in Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.
Aerial view of waves breaking on a rocky shoreline.
Carmel By The Sea, one of the most beautiful meetings of land and sea.
Two whale tails sticking out of the water and a pod of dolphins.
'A Sea of Plenty' - Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), California sea lions (Zalophus californianus), and gulls (Larinae) feeding in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
A black bird sitting on post and waves breaking on a sandy beach.
Common raven (Corvus corax) enjoying the view.
Sailboats anchored in the water.
Boats during sunset in Channel Islands Marine Sanctuary.
Palm trees and a pier at sunset.
Sunset in Channel Islands Marine Sanctuary.
Man fishing off a pier at sunset.
Fisherman at sunrise in Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale Sanctuary.
Sunset over a meadow of flowers.
Sunrise over the pohuehue (Ipomoea pes-caprae) in Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale Marine Sanctuary.
Double rainbow over a rocky beach.
"No rain, no rainbows" in Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale Marine Sanctuary.
Sunset on a ship.
"Sunset from some unmarked location within the Cape Perpetua Marine Reserve, just off of the Oregon Coast, in transit to our next sampling station on the R/V Oceanus."
Waves break on a forest covered cliff.
Highway 101 along Cape Perpetua at the Cape Perpetua Marine Reserve.
Road winds through a forest along the water.
"Sunset is the best time of day to take in the ocean views and fresh air."
Sunset over the ocean.
'Sunset Stunner' - Sunset at Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary.
Pointy rocks in the ocean.
Devil's Teeth, 1000 yards north of Southeast Farallon Island, in Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary.
Lighthouse atop a rocky island.
Lighthouse Hill, 100 yards east of Southeast Farallon Island, in Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary.
Island at sunset from a boat.
Southeast Farallon Island from Sea at Sunset, one mile east of Southeast Farallon Island, in Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary.
White rocky island.
Great Murre Cave, 500 yards east of Southeast Farallon Island, in Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary.
Two people on a genu out in the water.
Sunset on the Genu at Similar Sound.
Man in the surf on a beach.
Wading in the morning waters at Jewfish Basin.
Seals cover a sandy beach.
Circles of rocks on a beach.
Pillar Point in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Fog in the mountains.
A foggy morning at Santa Cruz Island in Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary
Sunset on a sandy beach with beach grass.
It may be cloudy, but it is still another beautiful sunset in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
Mangrove roots at low tide.
Mangroves in Rookery Bay, FL.
Man standing on a railing on a platform.
View of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary from Hawk Hill, G.G. Headlands.
Stairs and road wind through a mountain with fog.
Fog envelops the Monterey National Marine Sanctuary taken from Hawk Hill, G.G. Headlands.
A path leading to a lighthouse overlooking the ocean.
Point Reyes Lighthouse with matching mineral deposits on the hillside.
Photographer taking photos of people on a sandy beach and surfing.
Photographer takes in the beauty of G.G. Headlands.
Pier heading out into the ocean along a rocky shore.
Santa Cruz Island in the Channel Islands patiently waiting for visitors.
White sailboat at the end of a pier.
A view of Santa Cruz Island in the Channel Islands from the hike to the top.
Birds standing in the water along a sandy beach.
"Kalaloch Beach on a winter evening. The sky, beach, and ocean became the same shade of blue at the end of the day in Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary."
Silhouette of person looking at tree covered islands on the coast at sunset.
'A La Push Sunset' - "My friend Michele stands by driftwood to watch the glorious sunset from La Push, with silhouettes of three islands beyond the waves."
Sunset over rocky cliffs.
View from the Muir Beach Overlook.
Calm waters lapping at a sloping, brown hillside dotted with trees.
Becher's Bay in Santa Rosa Island, near Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary.

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 Views in the National Marine Sanctuary System. These photos are not for sale and are not for commercial use unless prior permission is arranged.