The Caribbean is more than a postcard. It is coral reefs and rain-soaked forests, working waterfronts and weekend sails, vibrant traditions and communities taking action to protect the places they call home. Every image reveals a different part of that story.
Starting August 1, 2026, photographers are invited to share the Caribbean as they see it.
The Seas & Scenes: Love the Caribbean Photo Contest 2026 returns for its second year, hosted by Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC) in partnership with Caribbean Compass magazine. The free-to-enter contest is open from August 1 through August 31, 2026, and welcomes photographers of every skill level - from professionals with years of experience to smartphone users who simply know a memorable moment when they see one.
With 12 chances to win from a prize pool valued at more than $3,000+ USD, this year's contest offers even more reasons to capture and celebrate the region's extraordinary people, places, wildlife, and waters.
Three ways to tell the Caribbean's story
Participants may submit up to five original photographs across three judged categories:
- Caribbean Life & Nature celebrates the wildlife, landscapes, culture and people that make the region unique.
- Sailing, Yachting & Life on the Water highlights the adventures, traditions and everyday experiences that shape the Caribbean's maritime heritage.
- Environmental Impact & Stewardship focuses on conservation efforts, environmental challenges and positive action that can inspire others to care for the region's natural resources.
Every photograph submitted is automatically entered into the Audience Choice Award category, which is open to public voting. Participants can share their entries with friends, family, and supporters and encourage them to vote for their favorite images up to five times each day throughout August. Even if you are not a photographer, no entry is required to vote.
Winners share a prize pool featuring cash awards, Caribbean travel experiences and accommodations, marine and outdoor products, Caribbean food and gifts, and other prizes donated by supporters from across the region and beyond.
Building on an inspiring first year
When EPIC and Caribbean Compass launched the first Seas & Scenes photo contest in 2025, the goal was to celebrate the Caribbean's natural and cultural heritage through the eyes of the people who know and love it best. The response showed just how many stories were waiting to be shared.
The inaugural contest received more than 300 photographs representing 31 Caribbean nations and territories. Images ranged from wildlife and underwater environments to sailing scenes, cultural moments and sweeping landscapes. Members of the public cast more than 2,800 votes, connecting people across the Caribbean and around the world through a shared appreciation for the region.
For returning judge Irtha Daniel, Manager at the House of Vetiver and member of IAMovement in Trinidad & Tobago, the entries offered a powerful reminder of the Caribbean's scale and diversity.
“Even as someone who is from and lives in the Caribbean, it was eye-opening,” Daniel said. “It made me stop and pay closer attention to the beauty of my own environment, and I hope the contest inspires others to do the same.”
That invitation to look more closely is at the heart of the contest. Seas & Scenes is not only about creating beautiful images; it is about noticing what makes a place meaningful and sharing why it deserves to be celebrated and protected.
“What excited me most about the inaugural contest was seeing people share not just beautiful photographs, but meaningful stories about the places and experiences that connect them to the Caribbean,” said EPIC Executive Director Tabitha Stadler. “That's how we build a community of people who care about protecting these places and preserving them for future generations.”
This year's winners will be selected by an expanded panel of judges representing photography, conservation, art, storytelling and Caribbean culture. The 2026 contest is supported by DSL Yachting and IGY Marinas St. Maarten, along with a growing network of prize donors and partners whose contributions reflect a shared commitment to celebrating and protecting the Caribbean.
Show us the Caribbean through your lens
Your story might be found above or below the water, on a hiking trail or a sailing vessel, in a fishing village or on a favorite beach. It might capture a rare animal, a familiar face, an environmental challenge, or a hopeful act of stewardship.
Wherever you find it, we want to see it.
Get your photographs ready, mark your calendar, and share the contest with others who love the Caribbean. Entries and voting will be open August 1-31, 2026.