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Our guest blogger today is Caryn Bower, an intern with the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 

As the heat of summer hits, everyone can use an opportunity to cool off and have some fun by the water. In these tough economic times, however, it can be hard for a budget-conscious family to find ways to beat the heat that don’t involve spending lots of cash to wait in lines at a water park.

So, if you’re one of the many Americans searching for inexpensive, entertaining and educational aquatic activities, it’s hard to go wrong with a visit to one of our national marine sanctuaries! From Lake Huron to the Florida Keys, NOAA's National Marine Sanctuary System manages more than 150,000 square miles of America’s ocean and Great Lakes waters. If you live near the coast, chances are that you’re close to one of these 14 special places and all of the wallet-friendly fun they have to offer.

There are countless things to do in the marine sanctuaries, like snorkeling, surfing, fishing, kayaking, or just relaxing on the beach. Visitors can explore tide pools along Washington’s shores in Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary or see wildlife like sea otters and pelicans as they paddle among the kelp forests of California’s Monterey Bay.

Adventure seekers can plunge into the depths of the sanctuaries and see the underwater world through a wide range of scuba diving experiences. Even without scuba training, many of the historic shipwrecks in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and Michigan’s Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary are accessible within snorkeling depths.

 For an unforgettable experience, whale watching tours are a great way to see some of the largest creatures on Earth. Popular whale watching destinations include the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale Sanctuary, Stellwagen Bank Sanctuary in Massachusetts, and the Channel Islands Sanctuary off the Southern California coast.

Those who prefer to experience the wonders of the underwater world without getting their feet wet will find free visitor centers in San Francisco, Key West, and Hilo, Hawaii to be perfect for learning about the sanctuaries from the safety of dry land.

If you’re a history buff, you can learn all about our nation’s maritime past at the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center (free admission) or check out one of the most famous ships in American history at the USS Monitor Center in Newport News, Virginia. More information about some of the historic shipwrecks and landmarks within the sanctuary system can be found through the Historic Places and Preservation section of USA.gov.

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