"These photographs don't just capture what’s beneath the surface; they surface the stories our planet most needs us to hear. As the pressures on our ocean grow, so does the importance of the artists who bear witness to them"

The Ocean Photographer of the Year 2026 has unveiled 84 captivating images showcasing the ocean's wildlife, underwater scenery, and vulnerable ecosystems in need of conservation. This year, a new category called "Ocean Unseen: Hidden Worlds" exposes the hidden realm of the ocean's smallest and most secretive creatures. Founding director Will Harrison emphasized that these photographs not only reveal what lies beneath the surface but also bring to light the stories our planet urgently requires us to comprehend.

Supported by Oceanographic and Blancpain, the finalists can be explored on the Oceanographic Magazine website. The diverse categories include Adventure, Conservation (Hope), Conservation (Impact), Fine Art, Human Connection (People and Planet Ocean), and the new category of Ocean Unseen: Hidden Worlds. Highlights range from cave divers preserving the geological history of Mexican cenotes to fishermen using traditional methods in Xiapu’s intertidal zone.

The photographs offer a poignant reminder of the ocean's fragility and the critical role artists play in documenting its changing landscape.