The Ocean Photographer of the Year (OPY) 2025 finalists have been revealed, bringing together breathtaking images that showcase both the beauty of our seas and the urgent call to protect them.
From sweeping drone views of wild coastlines to intimate underwater portraits of elusive creatures, this year’s submissions tell stories of connection, resilience, and awe. Categories span Wildlife, Fine Art, Conservation (Hope and Impact), Adventure, and Human Connection, each spotlighting moments where humanity and the ocean meet.
Adventure: Diving into Wonder
The Adventure category celebrates daring encounters in extraordinary settings — freedivers, surfers, and explorers immersing themselves in raw ocean power. For finalist Romain Barats, the ocean has always been a place of wonder:
"I've been fond of whales since my childhood, so I was really excited to get the opportunity to swim with sperm whales for the first time in my life," says Barats. "I was extremely lucky on my first day at sea. We saw 15 whales socialising for 45 minutes or so. The sea was rough but when you get to see something like that you quickly forget the conditions".
His words reflect the courage and exhilaration at the heart of ocean adventure.
More moments from Adventure finalists.
Fine Art: Moments of Stillness
The Fine Art finalists transform fleeting encounters into timeless visions. In Mexico, Ysabella Coll captured a powerful scene of both grace and survival:
"With a powerful sweep of its pectoral fins, a stingray vanishes into the blue, leaving behind a swirling cloud of sand," says Coll. "This dramatic burst isn’t just beautiful—it’s a survival tactic. The stingray’s sudden movement disturbs the seafloor, creating a dense visual barrier that confuses predators and conceals its escape. In a single graceful motion, it demonstrates a remarkable adaptation for life on the ocean floor — where defence, camouflage, and movement come together in a fleeting but unforgettable display."
Her image embodies the Fine Art category’s ability to reveal the poetry of survival hidden in the ocean’s depths.
More visions from Fine Art finalists.
Hope: A Glimpse of Renewal
Equally powerful are the images in the Hope (Conservation) category, where the ocean’s fragility is paired with signs of recovery. For finalist Catherine Holmes, coral reefs offered a radiant reminder of resilience:
"I have rarely seen such verdant colourful soft corals on this scale anywhere, so was overjoyed to dive this site in the Maldives, at Maalhoss Thila, North Ari Atoll," says Holmes. "Also known as Blue Caves, this site has been thriving for years, and having dived it over twenty years ago, it now seems more colourful and prolific than ever before — a beacon of hope for the future".
Her image and words underscore that documenting renewal can inspire protection as much as exposing decline.
More stories from Hope finalists.
Human Connection: Bonds Across Water
The Human Connection category highlights the ties between people and the ocean — cultural, spiritual, and emotional. In Vietnam, Natnattcha Chaturapitamorn captured the poetry of daily life shaped by the sea:
"Each morning before sunrise at Tam Tien beach, the shoreline comes alive with a flurry of activity," says Chaturapitamorn. "Clusters of wooden fishing boats anchor offshore, forming a floating fleet. From there, teams of fishermen in round basket boats skillfully navigate through the waves, ferrying barrels of freshly caught seafood to the shore… This daily ritual reflects the deep connection between the sea and coastal livelihoods".
Such images remind us that the ocean is not just a wilderness, but also a lifeline woven into human community.
More connections from Human Connection finalists.
Wildlife: Wild Encounters
In the Wildlife category, the ocean’s inhabitants take center stage — from the smallest shrimps to the mightiest predators. For finalist Arturo de Frias, the Galapagos revealed one of its most iconic creatures in an extraordinary instant:
"Marine iguanas, endemic to the Galapagos, are one of the most iconic species in the archipelago," says de Frias. "They are like miniature dragons, especially in low angle eye-to-eye portraits like this one. This individual was resting on the black rocks of Santa Cruz Island, sunbathing after a foraging dive. By sheer luck, I photographed the split-second in which it was sneezing the excess salt it had absorbed during its dive".
Moments like these capture both the power and vulnerability of ocean life.
More encounters from Wildlife finalists.
More Than Images
“Ocean photography has never been more important,” says Ocean Photographer of the Year Director, Will Harrison. “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”.
The finalists’ work embodies this mission. Whether it is the fleeting geometry of light in a cenote, the silent ballet of whales, or coral reefs that still bloom in defiance of warming seas, each photograph becomes a story — a call to witness, to celebrate, and to act.
Looking Ahead
Winners of the Ocean Photographer of the Year 2025 will be announced in September 2025. Until then, the finalists’ images invite us to pause and reflect: on the oceans’ beauty, on their vulnerability, and on our role in their future.
The ocean’s story is our story — and this year’s finalists remind us that it is still being written.
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