2025 Get Into Your Sanctuary Photo Contest Results - Sanctuary Views

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

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.

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.

View of the coast looking south from Second Beach at low tide.
1st Place: Luan Roberts. "This is where the ocean remembers herself. Second Beach, on the Olympic Coast, isn't just beautiful—it's alive with ancient rhythms. In this moment, the tide has peeled back the veil, revealing a world usually hidden beneath the waves. Kelp, rock, and water breathe together in silence." A view from Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary.
Sunset shining its golden light at the beach during low tides
2nd Place: Tuong-Van Stanoff. "The beach looks different every time I visit it. This specific area is normally inaccessible, but when king tides arrive, the ocean recedes and exposes beautiful rocks and tide pools." A view from Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Aerial view of Molasses Reef with one scuba boat
3rd Place: Daniel Eidsmoe. Scuba diving at Molasses Reef near Key Largo, Florida in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
Back to category winners

Honorable Mentions

A silhouetted couple watching the sunset over the ocean.
Aj Jaeger. A couple enjoys the sunset while watching for whales in Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.
Aerial view of bright blue water with coral reef and a lighthouse.
Daniel Eidsmoe. Sombrero reef as viewed from above near Marathon, Florida in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
A misty layer of fog surrounding cliffs on the ocean coast.
Grace O'Malley. "The quiet after dawn is so special, and the subdued light showcases the morning mists in a beautifully soft way." A view from Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary.
Vibrant sunset over Lake Ontario, with streaks of orange, pink, and gold clouds stretching across the sky above dark, choppy waves and a rocky shoreline.
Jessica Halsey. "People say that Oswego, New York has the best sunsets and I wholeheartedly agree! The unobstructed view of the horizon makes amazing sunsets. Add the lake and these sunsets are next level." A view from Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary.
A lighthouse standing at the end of a long stone breakwater under a bright blue sky, with deep blue water in the foreground and open lake in the background.
Jessica Halsey. The West Pierhead Lighthouse stands watch over Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary, viewed from Breitbeck Park in Oswego, New York on a clear summer day.
Moonset over Bowling Ball Beach, with water flowing over round rocks.
Martin McClure. "Bowling Ball Beach is an exceptional treat because these rock formations are found on no other beaches. Watching and waiting for just the right moment to snap the shutter to try to convey the splendor of the moment brings me so much satisfaction and serenity." A view from Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary.
Long exposure photograph of ocean waves around a beach and rocky landscape.
Tuong-Van Stanoff. "The cove is a very popular and perfect place to watch a sunset, crashing waves and whales. From the bluffs on a clear day, we can sometimes spot a whale swimming in the distance. If you are a birder, you would enjoy seeing many sea birds gathering here after a long journey from the North." A view from Monterey Bay 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 recreation in the National Marine Sanctuary System. These photos are not for sale and are not for commercial use unless prior permission is arranged.