Winter is here, and as the temperature continues to drop, there are fewer opportunities for many of us to get out on–or into–the water. While we’re all waiting for this summer’s Get Into Your Sanctuary Day to get back to some of our favorite outdoor activities, here at the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, every day is Get Into Your Sanctuary Day! No matter what your favorite activity is, there are tons of fun and easy ways for you to experience your favorite places. We’ve compiled some amazing webcams, videos, and virtual reality experiences that will let you explore the wonders of our ocean planet from the comfort of your own home.
Virtual Reality Dives
Thanks to new technology developed by our friends at The Ocean Agency, you have the opportunity to explore the underwater world of several of our marine sanctuaries, including American Samoa, Florida Keys, Flower Garden Banks, Gray’s Reef, Olympic Coast, and Thunder Bay. All you need is an internet connection to enjoy! Click on the picture below to start exploring.
Credit: Emma Hickerson/NOAA, in collaboration with The Ocean Agency
Shipwreck Tour in Thunder Bay
Take an up-close and personal tour of one of the shipwrecks found in Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. These shipwrecks serve as a rich, cultural haven, especially to history buffs and scuba divers alike. This video is a great way to immerse yourself in the amazing history of our sanctuaries and check out a sunken vessel for yourself.
Giant Octopus in Channel Islands
What secrets can lie at the bottom of a deep, dark sea? 100 meters below the surface where there is very little light, a giant Pacific octopus was found by researchers, creeping along the sandy ocean floor at Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. The recording offers a clear look at the creature which most people would never get to see otherwise, especially since the video displays this octopus in its natural habitat.
Shipwreck Alley
Join those who travel from all over the world to visit the infamous Shipwreck Alley. Swim, dive, snorkel, or jump in the totally unique glass-bottomed boat you can ride to view the shipwrecks without ever getting wet!
Barracuda in Gray’s Reef
This lightning-quick Barracuda was found in the waters of Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary, right off the coast of Georgia. Surrounded by a school of fish during the video, the speed the barracuda uses to try and capture its lunch is incredible and a rare sight for many to experience.
Big Momma Reef
Check out the Big Momma coral reef, one of the largest coral heads in the world. Due to its size and rarity, Big Momma is an interesting reef to see up close, located in National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa.
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Experience
Get a glimpse into the attractions that Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary has to offer, from scenic beaches to diverse wildlife, there’s something in this wonderful marine sanctuary for everyone to enjoy!
Monterey Bay Aquarium
The Monterey Bay Aquarium is teeming with different species, galleries, and exhibits to help their visitors learn as much as they can about marine life, species, and conservation. There are several webcams available on the site, but some of the most interesting and active cams are the Jelly Fish Cam, the Coral Reef Cam, the Sea Otter Cam, the Penguin Cam, the Shark Cam, and the Open Sea Cam. All of these webcam live streams have information on what time the cameras are active, and even when the feeding times happen each day, so you can experience the best of the aquarium from wherever you are in the world. Click on the picture below to start exploring.
National Aquarium
The National Aquarium Blacktip Reef exhibit is home to six-hundred different animals, one being the Blacktip Reef shark. Viewing this species in an up-close environment is rare, and with this webcast can be viewed from your own home. This Maryland aquarium also neighbors the site of a new proposed marine sanctuary, the Mallows Bay-Potomac River. Click on the picture below to start exploring.
New England Aquarium Camera
If you’ve ever been to the New England Aquarium, you’re sure to have seen the spacious cylindrical habitat acting as the building’s centerpiece. This webcam captures the natural flow of the exhibit and shows all the different species that call it home. Swim along with the 600 different marine species, and check out more in Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, 30 miles off the coast of the Boston Harbor! Click on the picture below to start exploring.
