The majestic humpback whale, dramatic coastline, and coral reef ecosystem make a splash at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and National Marine Sanctuary Foundation. Photo contest “Enter your shelter”.. Winning photos celebrate National Marine Sanctuary Systemwhich covers an area of more than 629,000 square miles and includes 17 national marine reserves and the Papahanaumokuakea and Rose Atoll national marine monuments.
Freediving at Acholi School in the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Al-Haram Rest House, second place Credit: Christian Crook
Winners were selected across five categories: Sanctuary Landscapes, Sanctuary Living, Sanctuary Entertaining, Sanctuaries at Home, and Sanctuary Around the World.
Sunset at Rialto Beach in the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. Views of the Sanctuary, second place Credit: Elliot GilfexPotato Harbor on Santa Cruz Island is one of the few places protected from the wind you can shelter overnight in the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. However, wind and waves creep into the small marina under the setting sun. Views of the Sanctuary, third place Credit: Dustin HarrisCamping under the stars in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Al Haram Rest House, first place Credit: Daniel Eidsmo McQuay Falls in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Views of the Sanctuary, first place Credit: Peter ReynoldsAtlantic puffins (Fratercula arctica) are ocean-dependent birds that spend most of their lives in open waters. The productive North Atlantic Canadian waters surrounding Newfoundland provide some of the best habitat for these beloved seabirds. Holy places around the world, second place Credit: Caroline CopperMale seahorses (Hippocampus erectus) like this one at the Blue Heron Bridge in West Palm Beach, Florida, receive eggs from the female and keep them in a pouch where they are fertilized and carried until they are ready to hatch. Holy places around the world ranked third Credit: Tamara ChristianA humpback whale (Megaptera novaengliae) dives at sunset in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. This photo was taken using a telephoto lens from a safe distance. Haram Life, third place Credit: Kaylyn DeYoungAn arrow crab (Stenorhynchus seticornis) sits in front of a long-spineed Caribbean sea urchin (Diadema antillarum) in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Haram Life, first place Credit: Gabrielle JensenA giant Pacific octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini) walks on a deep, cold-water coral reef in Cordele Bank National Marine Sanctuary. Sanctuary Life, second place Credit: Robert LeeA kite flying on the beach near Palm Coast, Florida. Al Haramain at home, second place Credit: Daniel EidsmoA green sea turtle (Chelonia) floats in the shallow waters of Playa Punta Corolla in San Cristobal in the Galapagos, Ecuador. Havens around the world, final Credit: Dan Shipp A divided coastline and underwater view of the coral reef ecosystem around Fakarava Atoll in French Polynesia. Al Haramain at home, first place Credit: Justin Wallace
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