Ocean Photographer of the Year 2026 Finalists

© Benjamín Yávar / Ocean Photographer of the Year Finalist, Ocean Adventure.

A free diver is surrounded by a school of sardines, which part to form a halo as they move around her. © Daniela Tommasi / Ocean Photographer of the Year Finalist, Ocean Adventure.

“Two surfers walk towards a favorite surf break on the Western Australian coast.

Waves and rip currents create intricate, lace-like patterns in the water.” © Julien Anton / Ocean Photographer of the Year Finalist, Wildlife.

“An adult seahorse pictured with newly born juveniles in the shallow seaweed-filled waters of Moorea, French Polynesia.

While it is not known if these seahorses are related, their arrangement creates the impression of a farewell, as if the tiny seahorses have gathered around their father after he has released them into the world.“ © Andrea Michelutti / Ocean Photographer of the Year Finalist, Ocean Unseen: Hidden Worlds.

“A harlequin crab rests at the entrance of a tubular sponge, carefully tending her cluster of orange eggs.

By positioning herself in the current, she helps aerate and protect the developing embryos while keeping them close beneath her claws.” © Marko Dimitrijevic / Ocean Photographer of the Year Finalist, Fine Art.

“A superpod of spinner dolphins swims through deep water 20 miles off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica.

While spinner dolphins are often seen in small groups, they can also gather in schools of hundreds of animals.” © Qingsheng Sun / Ocean Photographer of the Year Finalist, Human Connection.

“Thousands of fish-farming cages stretch across the sea, connected by floating walkways and small wooden huts to form a vast floating community.

Extending for kilometers, this carefully organised aquaculture network supports local livelihoods while transforming the coastal landscape.” © Maryline Renault / Ocean Photographer of the Year Finalist, Ocean Unseen: Hidden Worlds.

“A translucent shrimp glows within the folds of a green tunicate in the volcanic waters of Tulamben, Indonesia.

These small marine animals create shelter for tiny creatures living in the muck diving habitats often overlooked by divers.” © Ben Thouard / Ocean Photographer of the Year Finalist, Fine Art.