Fragility, Beauty, and Urgency Characterize Ocean Photographer of the Year 2025

The finalists of this year’s Ocean Photographer of the Year competition (previously) have really blown it out of the water. From hundreds of baby octopuses in the waters around Indonesia to remarkable humpback whales to a dramatic encounter with a Komodo dragon, photographers captured some of our planet’s most awe-inspiring creatures in their native habitats.

Photos are organized into seven categories with an emphasis on ocean conservation and the outsize influence humans have on marine life. The Hope category, for instance, focuses on healthy and burgeoning ecosystems, while the images in the Impact grouping provide an unfiltered look at the terrific effects of overfishing, waste, and pollution.

a Komodo dragon viewed up-close — Suliman Alatiqi, Indonesia

“In the midst of a deepening climate and biodiversity crisis on our blue planet, ocean photography has never been more important,” says Will Harrison, direction of OPY. These images are far more than just beautiful—they are powerful visual testaments to what we stand to lose, and they remind us of the urgent need for protection. Ocean Photographer of the Year continues to be a vital platform for sharing critical stories from above and below the waterline.”

Winners in each category and of the contest overall will be announced on September 18. See some more of our favorite images below, and explore the full finalists’ gallery on the competition’s website.

a tiny fish in an egg — László Földi, Philippines

an orca whale leaps out in front of two people standing on a beach — Yifan Ling, U.S.

an octopus with hundreds of eggs — Théo Maynier, Martinique

a small watercraft rides wild waves near Nazaré, Portugal — Ben Thouard, Portugal

a fish with a mouth full of orange eggs — Daniel Sly, Australia

sharks and fish caught in a fishing net, with another spotted shark swimming beneath them — Daniel Flormann, Indonesia

a half-submerged photo of a person in a boat and a coral reef beneath the surface of the water — Wendy Mitchell, Indonesia

colorful fish swim around a coral reef — Aaron Sanders, Indonesia

two divers shine lights into a vast underwater cave — Alex Dawson, Mexico

a small orange crab on a blue-and-orange surface — Andray Shpatak, Russia

humpback whales swim near a scuba diver — Alvaro Herrero, French Polynesia

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