Ocean Photographer of the Year makes UK debut at The Historic Dockyard Chatham — ‘cene Journal

A shocking photographic exhibition depicting life in and beneath the ocean will make its UK debut at The Historic Dockyard Chatham from 26 March 2026, revealing the sweetness, fragility, thrill and the peril of our marine ecosystems by means of 116 award-winning photos.

Drawn from greater than 15,000 entries worldwide, the exhibition presents probably the most highly effective works from Ocean Photographer of the Year, one of many world’s most prestigious ocean pictures awards. (More info)

Bringing collectively award-winning photographers from world wide, the exhibition shares a journey beneath the waves: from intimate encounters with microscopic marine life simply 1.5cm throughout, to epic wildlife moments with sharks and wales, to the stark documentation of local weather change, coral bleaching and human impression.  The photos reveal an ocean of extraordinary magnificence, and profound vulnerability.

“One of the things Ocean Photographer of the Year does exceptionally well is showcase both the wonder of the ocean and the threats it faces,” says Henley Spiers. (Underwater Wildlife Photographer)

Spiers provides: “Photography allows people to emotionally connect with the ocean first,  and once they feel that connection, they start to care.”

Among the exhibition’s most confronting works is Spiers’ Conservation (Impact) category image depicting the body of a green turtle killed by a boat strike, now sheltering juvenile fish beneath its shell.

“These images aren’t showing an alien world” Spiers says  “they show a living one that’s complex, vulnerable and surprisingly relatable.”

Paul Barnard, COO at The Historic Dockyard Chatham welcomes the beauty and conservation aspect of the exhibition: “We are very excited to be internet hosting Ocean Photographer of the Year for the very first time within the UK right here at The Historic Dockyard Chatham.  This prestigious competitors has been delighting audiences the world over with its gorgeous pictures and we’re happy to have the ability to convey this to audiences within the UK, and particularly the south east. 

“The exhibition supplies a singular glimpse into our mysterious and magical underwater world but in addition importantly highlights the challenges we face surrounding ocean well being and local weather change.  We hope that our guests not solely benefit from the gorgeous pictures but in addition think about the impression all of us have on ocean well being and the steps we are able to all take to make our marine setting thrive.”