40 Award-Profitable Images From Ocean Photographer of the Year 2026

The winners of the Ocean Photographer of the Year 2026 competitors have been revealed, showcasing an unbelievable array of outstanding underwater and marine-related images that replicate the great thing about the world’s oceans and all their inhabitants.

Last month, Oceanographic and Blancpain revealed some unbelievable finalists from the competitors, however now the total winners are right here, they usually had been definitely worth the wait.

Ocean Photographer of the Year 2026

French photographer Julien Anton has been named the Ocean Photographer of the Year 2026 for his beautiful black-and-white portrait of a male seahorse and two tiny juveniles. The younger seahorses, barely seen in opposition to the pitch-black ocean background, present a powerful sense of scale and a storytelling ingredient within the body.

“We spent countless hours searching in difficult conditions, with no guarantee of finding a single seahorse. That is what made the moment so extraordinary — when the juveniles turned back towards the adult, it felt like something far beyond what I had dared to hope for,” Anton explains.

“I am not a professional photographer; for me, photography is simply how I share what I see and feel. My hope is that this image can serve as a bridge between science, conservation and a world that deserves to know what is at stake,” Anton continues.

Anton’s photograph additionally took high prize within the Ocean Wildlife class.

Female Fifty Fathoms Award

British photographer Jenny Stock received the Female Fifty Fathoms Award this yr. Created in 2021, this particular award celebrates pioneering girls in ocean pictures.

Unlike the remainder of the competitors, which options images entered by photographers worldwide, Stock was nominated by her friends and judged alongside different nominees by the Ocean Photographer of the Year jury.

“To be nominated by fellow photographers means more to me than I can easily put into words — this community is everything,” Stock explains.

“The Female Fifty Fathoms Award is particularly special because it celebrates the achievements and passion of women in ocean photography, and the women who have previously won it are exceptionally talented, so it’s a privilege to join their ranks,” she continues.

“The connection to the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms watch — one of diving’s most iconic timepieces — makes it even more extraordinary. I’m honored beyond measure, and I hope this recognition inspires more women to pick up a camera and discover the magic that’s beneath the surface.”

Category Winners

Over 15,000 photographers entered this yr’s competitors, battling it out throughout seven main classes with an eighth Ocean Portfolio Award within the combine.

Wildlife

Fine Art

Adventure

Conservation (Impact)

Conservation (Hope)

Human Connection Award

The Ocean Unseen: Hidden Worlds

Ocean Portfolio Award

Selected Finalists

There had been some unbelievable finalists that finally didn’t win awards. Galleries of all the finalists are available on Oceanographic. PetaPixel has chosen some to spotlight.

Image creditOcean Photographer of the Year is introduced by Oceanographic and Blancpain