Overall winner of Ocean Photographer of the Year 2025. Two amphipods from the Cyproideidae family, each only measuring around 3mm in body length, rest on a coral. Commonly called ladybugs of the sea, these tiny creatures display striking coloration and symmetry. (Yury Ivanov / OPY2025 via SWNS)
By Dean Murray
The winner of the Ocean Photographer of the Year 2025 has been revealed.
The competition showcases breathtaking images that celebrate the ocean’s beauty and highlight the urgent need to protect it.
This year’s submissions included extraordinary moments of wild ocean wonder, from deep-sea oddities to sneezing iguanas.
Indonesia-based macro photographer Yury Ivanov scooped the top prize, being named Ocean Photographer of the Year 2025.
First place Ocean Portfolio Award
First place: Wildlife Photographer of the Year
First place Ocean Portfolio Award
First place Ocean Portfolio Award
First place Ocean Portfolio Award
Finalist: Adventure Photographer of the Year: Romain Barats.
Overall winner of Ocean Photographer of the Year 2025.
Second place, Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Second place: Human Connection Award: People & Planet Ocean
Finalist, Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Third place, Conservation (Impact) Photographer of the Year
Third place, Young Photographer of the Year: Yuka Takahashi
First place, Female Fifty Fathoms Award
Ivanov’s vibrant image of two synchronised ‘ladybugs of the sea’ mesmerized the judging panel, who connected with the simplicity of its message: that the ocean is a place of wonder, color and life of all sizes (the ladybugs are just 3mm tall).
The winning photograph – taken at Ivanov’s local dive site in Bali, Indonesia – was chosen from more than 15,000 images from all over the world.
Yury Ivanov said, "Winning Ocean Photographer of the Year is an incredible feeling; I’m deeply grateful for the recognition. This award is not just about one image, but about celebrating the ocean itself — its fragility, its diversity, and its extraordinary power to inspire us."
First place, Female Fifty Fathoms Award. A larval pufferfish, roughly the size of a thumbnail. (Jialing Cai / OPY2025 via SWNS)
Other highlights included the Female Fifty Fathoms Award winner Jialing Cai from China, who was honored with this award, celebrating exceptional women breaking boundaries in ocean photography. One of her images shows a quirky larval pufferfish, roughly the size of a thumbnail.
Matthew Sullivan presented an impressive set of pictures to take first place in the Ocean Portfolio Award. His work includes an otherworldly batfish lying on the seabed and a mouthbrooding jawfish keeping fertilized eggs safe in its mouth.
First place Ocean Portfolio Award. A batfish lies on the seabed. Florida. (Matthew Sullivan / OPY2025 via SWNS)
Also notable were a pair of synchronised humpback whales in French Polynesia, a photograph that helped Yuka Takahashi take place third place in the Young Photographer of the Year category.
Ocean Photographer of the Year is presented by Oceanographic Magazine and Blancpain.
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