By Geoffrey Williams

The Australian National Maritime Museum is proud to celebrate the finalists for Oceanographic Magazine’s ‘Ocean Photographer of the Year 2025’. These breathtaking images will be on show at the World Premiere exhibition at the museum opening 6 November 2025, with international exhibition venues to be announced later in the year.

The finalists’ images span nine categories and include 12 Australian photographers whose work has earned international acclaim. The photographs capture the awe-inspiring beauty of the ocean, the deep connection between humans and the sea, and the stark realities of climate change, plastic pollution, and marine exploitation.

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The nine categories are: Ocean Conservation Photographer of the Year (Hope), the Ocean Conservation Photographer of the Year (Impact), the Ocean Adventure Photographer of the Year, the Ocean Wildlife Photographer of the Year, the Ocean Fine Art Photographer of the Year, the Ocean Portfolio Award, the Young Ocean Photographer of the Year, as well as the Human Connection Award.

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“In the midst of a deepening climate and biodiversity crisis on our blue planet, ocean photography has never been more important” Ocean Photographer of the Year Director, Will Harrison, told The Solo Traveller. “These images are far more than just beautiful – they are powerful visual testaments to what we stand to lose, and they remind us of the urgent need for protection. Ocean Photographer of the Year continues to be a vital platform for sharing critical stories from above and below the waterline. We’re in awe of this year’s finalists and look forward to revealing the winners to the world next month. Their work has the power to inspire change.”

“We are proud to once again partner with Oceanographic Magazine to bring these extraordinary images off the screen and page and into a gallery,” Ms Daryl Karp AM, Director and CEO of the Australian National Maritime Museum, told The Solo Traveller. “The stories behind these photographs are as compelling as the visuals themselves – they challenge us to see the ocean not just as a place of wonder, but as a world in need of our care.”

Filming a Dugong in the Red Sea near El Quesir, Egypt. El Quesir is an historic port city with pristine coral reefs, offering a blend of ancient history and world-class diving and snorkelling opportunities. Photography: Simon Infanger.

The Oceanographic Magazine’s ‘Ocean Photographer of the Year’ award is a celebration of our beautiful blue planet, as well as a platform to highlight the many plights it is facing. Ocean photographers of all disciplines and experience levels – amateurs and professionals alike – are invited to submit their most impactful imagery to be judged by a panel of ocean photographers, editors and museum/gallery curators.

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Categories are broad in their focus and open to interpretation. This is to make the ‘Ocean Photographer of the Year’ award as inclusive as possible and to ensure the bravest and boldest photographers can find a suitable category in which to enter their work. Underwater, from the air, on the coast or out at sea, each category is open to all ocean photographers.

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Alongside the opportunity to have their work seen and admired by hundreds of millions of people around the world, the ‘Ocean Photographer of the Year’, offers photographers the chance to win some unique and useful prizes, courtesy of a select range of prize-giving supporters. Included this year is £10,000 in cash, the opportunity to join an Ocean Census expedition as a commissioned photographer (‘Ocean Photographer of the Year’ 2023 winner, Jialing Cai, has just returned from an expedition to Antarctica), and camera equipment from Canon.

You can find out more about ‘Oceanographic Magazine’ here and enjoy viewing the captivating work of all the Oceanographic Magazine’s ‘Ocean Photographer of the Year 2025’ award finalists here. You can also explore The Australian National Maritime Museum’s array of exhibitions and events here.