The Caribbean Nature & the People Who Love It category was won by Aracelis Jimenez for “Two Worlds at Low Tide”, shot in the Exumas,
PHILIPSBURG--Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC) and Caribbean Compass magazine have announced the nine grand prize winners of the Seas & Scenes: Love the Caribbean Photo Contest 2025.
Held throughout August, the regional contest invited photographers to capture the spirit of the Caribbean — its people, nature, and connection to the sea. The response was overwhelming, with 315 photo submissions from 31 Caribbean nations and territories and 2,824 public votes from 81 countries worldwide. From coral reefs and coastal mangroves to mountain views and family moments, each entry reflected the region’s extraordinary beauty and diversity.
Three photographers emerged as this year’s top winners across the contest’s main categories: Audience Choice, Sailing & Yachting Adventures, and Caribbean Nature & the People Who Love It. All winning photos and stories can be viewed at epicislands.org/photo-contest-winners-2025.
The Audience Choice award went to Rusty Wallace for “Where the Blues Meet the Breeze.” Wallace described his winning shot as “the feeling of freedom that comes from standing between two worlds — the calm, clear lagoon and the endless open sea.” Captured by drone, the image shows an island stretching into the horizon “like an invitation to escape.” The second place winner was Stephen Sookharry for “Summer’s Sunset,” followed by Peter Rivera with “Water Dance.”
In the Sailing & Yachting Adventures category, Sherard Little claimed first place for “Shattered Dreams, Silent Beauty,” taken at Port Royal Cays. The haunting image of a grounded yacht captures “beauty and vulnerability,” said Little. “Its battered hull and torn sails tell a story of resilience and transformation — a reminder of the sea’s power and grace.” Anastasia White placed second with “The Unsung Heroes of the Sea,” and Chris Layman took third for “A Day in the Life of an Island Soul.”
The Caribbean Nature & the People Who Love It category was won by Aracelis Jimenez for “Two Worlds at Low Tide.” Shot in the Exumas, Jimenez’s photo highlights the importance of mangrove ecosystems. “At low tide, the world splits in two — the sky above and a nursery beneath,” she said. “Mangroves protect our shores, nurture life, and store carbon for generations.” Samantha Daniel earned second place with “Stillness of the Wild,” and Nicola Cornwell placed third for “Wave Jumper.”
In total, nine photographers received $1,150 in cash prizes across the three categories. Their works, along with the Caribbean Choice Award selections, celebrate the region’s creativity, culture, and environmental awareness.
The Seas & Scenes initiative goes beyond photography — it’s a platform to amplify Caribbean voices and raise awareness about the region’s environmental challenges. By highlighting the beauty and resilience of Caribbean communities, the contest aims to inspire stewardship of the lands and seas that sustain them.
EPIC expressed its gratitude to all photographers, partners, judges, and supporters who made the contest possible. Special thanks were extended to sponsors IGY Marinas and Horizon Yachts International for their continued support. To learn more about the panel of judges and their selection process, visit epicislands.org/judges-page.
