Breathtaking finalists from the Ocean Photographer of the Year awards

The world's oceans, covering 71 percent of Earth, are celebrated through the stunning finalists of the 2026 Ocean Photographer of the Year competition. These images not only capture the beauty beneath the waves but also highlight the urgent need for marine conservation. The selected photographs offer a glimpse into the full spectrum of ocean life, from breathtaking wildlife moments to stark reminders of human impact.

Among the standout entries in the Wildlife category is an image depicting two orcas cooperating to hunt a humpback whale calf off the coast of Mexico. Another captures a delicate scene of octopuses courting on a coral reef in Australia's Great Barrier Reef, while a different shot focuses on a minuscule pygmy seahorse, no larger than a grain of rice. These images underscore the incredible biodiversity thriving in our oceans.

The Fine Art category features artistic interpretations of marine subjects, including a cleaning shrimp against a vibrant sponge and eagle rays gliding gracefully over a Hawaiian seabed. The Adventure category showcases human interaction with the marine world, such as a free diver surrounded by a school of sardines in the Philippines and dolphins playing alongside surfers in Sydney.

Crucially, the Conservation categories bring critical environmental issues to the forefront. The Conservation (Impact) section includes a poignant image of a California sea lion entangled in plastic netting, a powerful symbol of the devastating effects of marine pollution. Another photo shows Gentoo penguins near the decaying remains of a whaling station, a reminder of past exploitation. Conversely, the Conservation (Hope) category offers a more optimistic outlook, featuring European lobsters being raised for release into the wild and a Hawaiian monk seal resting with its newborn pup.

Will Harrison, founder and director of the contest, stated that the photographs "don't just capture what's beneath the surface; they surface the stories our planet most needs us to hear." The winners of the 2026 Ocean Photographer of the Year will be announced on September 11, recognizing the photographers who best encapsulate the wonder and fragility of our marine ecosystems.

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don't just capture what's beneath the surface; they surface the stories our planet most needs us to hear