Photography enthusiasts around the world, from amateur hobbyists to seasoned professionals, are being called on to capture the singular magic of the Caribbean as the 2026 edition of the Seas & Scenes: Love the Caribbean Photo Contest officially opens for submissions. Now in its second year, the mission-driven competition blends creative celebration with conservation advocacy, inviting participants to turn their lenses toward the region’s stunning natural landscapes, vibrant wildlife, rich local communities, and centuries-old sailing traditions. Running exclusively from August 1 to August 31, 2026, entry to the contest is completely free for all participants, with a total prize pool exceeding $3,000 and 12 distinct winning opportunities up for grabs. Participants are permitted to submit up to five original, unpublished photographs across four themed competition categories. The categories are structured to highlight the full spectrum of Caribbean identity: Caribbean Life & Nature, which centers everyday culture and native ecosystems; Sailing, Yachting & Life on the Water, which celebrates the region’s deep maritime heritage; Environmental Impact & Stewardship, which shines a spotlight on conservation efforts and environmental challenges facing the Caribbean; and the popular Audience Choice category, where members of the public can cast up to five votes daily to select their favorite entries. This year’s competition features an expanded panel of expert judges, bringing together specialists from the fields of professional photography, marine conservation, competitive sailing, investigative journalism, and Caribbean cultural studies. The growth of the judging panel mirrors the contest’s expanding regional footprint and its commitment to centering diverse, informed perspectives on the Caribbean’s many layers. Organized by Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC), a non-profit organization dedicated to regional conservation, in strategic partnership with regional publication Caribbean Compass magazine, the contest carries a core dual mission: to foster widespread public appreciation for the Caribbean’s one-of-a-kind natural and cultural heritage, and to underscore the urgent importance of protecting the fragile ecosystems that make the region so globally distinctive. “From the very beginning, we set out to build a contest rooted in purpose, one that honors the extraordinary beauty, cultural diversity, and distinct communities that make up the Caribbean,” shared Tabitha Stadler, Executive Director of EPIC, in a statement announcing the 2026 competition. “Bringing it back for a second year is incredibly exciting. It feels like we are weaving together a global community of people who share our commitment to preserving these exceptional lands and waters for future generations.” The 2026 iteration builds on the runaway success of the contest’s debut launch, which drew more than 300 individual submissions from photographers across 31 Caribbean nations and territories. Those first-year entries, which captured everything from dramatic dynamic coastal landscapes to rare glimpses of endemic marine life to intimate portraits of local cultural traditions, captivated a global public audience, generating more than 2,800 votes in the Audience Choice category and proving how deeply visual storytelling about the Caribbean resonates with audiences worldwide. This year’s expanded competition would not be possible without the generous backing of lead sponsors DSL Yachting and IGY Marinas St Maarten. Additional prizes have been donated by a growing network of local and regional businesses and partner organizations, all of which share the contest’s core commitment to celebrating and protecting the Caribbean’s natural and cultural assets. The contest will accept submissions only through the month of August 2026, with entries closing at the end of day on August 31. Photographers interested in entering, members of the public wanting to vote in the Audience Choice category, or anyone seeking additional information about the competition can visit the official contest website at epicislands.org/photo-contest-2026/.