These award-winning underwater photos provide a rare glimpse beneath the world's oceans
The Ocean Photographer of the Year awards announced the winners of its 2026 contest.
The Ocean Photographer of the Year awards for 2026 revealed an impressive collection of underwater photographs that offer a rare glimpse beneath the world's oceans. Presented by Oceanographic and Blancpain, the annual contest highlights photography both above and below the water's surface, aiming to raise awareness about ocean conservation and the scientific research that preserves its delicate ecosystems.
From 15,000 submissions, the contest selected winners across categories such as Wildlife, Human Connection, Fine Art, Adventure, Conservation Impact, Conservation Hope, Ocean Portfolio, and Ocean Photographer of the Year.
Winning photographer Mitsuna Kawai captured a photo of a ribbonfish during a winter blackwater dive in Osezaki, Japan. In the Human Connection category, Rui Duarte's image of a group attempting to push a stranded short-finned pilot whale back to the water in Boa Vista, Cape Verde, received top honors. Matty Smith's tawny nurse shark photo earned first place in the Fine Art category, while Jenny Stock was awarded the Female Fifty Fathoms award for her collection of images, including a green turtle curious about its reflection in the dome port.
James Ferrara's photo of a whale shark surrounded by divers and snorkelers in the Maldives won the Conservation Impact category. Thomas Pavy's great hammerhead shark photo in French Polynesia took home the Conservation Hope award, showcasing the shark during a population survey. Gergo Rugli's dolphins alongside surfers at Sydney's Tamarama Beach earned first place in the Adventure category, and Miguel Serrano Ruiz captured the Ocean Portfolio category with images of a conservationist and an olive ridley sea turtle saving their eggs from the rising tide in Baja California Sur, Mexico.
Julien Anton claimed the title of Ocean Photographer of the Year for his photo of an adult seahorse with newborn juveniles in French Polynesia, which also secured first place in the Wildlife category.
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