COSMOS MAGAZINE
Credit: Natnattcha Chaturapitamorn
Photography reveals the ocean’s hidden beauty, bringing the wonders of our planet’s most vast and vital realm to those who may never see it firsthand.
Here are some of the most striking finalists of Oceanographic Magazine’s Ocean Photographer of the Year 2025 Award.
Winners will be announced in London on 18 September and premier at an exhibition at the Australian National Maritime Museum from 6 November.
Credit: Yuka Takahashi
“With a powerful sweep of its pectoral fins, a stingray vanishes into the blue, leaving behind a swirling cloud of sand. This dramatic burst isn’t just beautiful – it’s a survival tactic. The stingray’s sudden movement disturbs the seafloor, creating a dense visual barrier that confuses predators and conceals its escape.”
Fine Art Photographer of the Year finalist
Ysabella Coll
Credit: Ysabella Coll
“I wanted to get a shot of a running Rakali [a semi-aquatic rodent native to Australia], showcasing the contrasting colours of the orange belly and the blueish wet sand and water.”
Wildlife Photographer of the Year finalist
Daniel van Duikerken
Credit: Daniel van Duikerken
“Yab Yum is the largest water-filled sinkhole ever documented, close to 100 [metres] in diameter and more than 70m deep. You hit the saltwater at around 15m depth. The stalactites and stalagmites in this enormous space are huge.”
Adventure Photographer of the Year finalist
Alex Dawson
Credit: Alex Dawson
“After slowly gaining the fishermen’s trust, I was allowed to join them for a 14-hour shift at sea. Twice a day, a 100m net is dragged along the seafloor at depths of up to 800m. When it resurfaced, the catch spilled onto the deck – catsharks, rays, crabs, and countless others, many still struggling for life. Most wouldn’t feed anyone. They were bycatch, later discarded as waste. The experience left a lasting mark, and strengthened my resolve to expose this destructive practice and help end it.”
Conservation (Impact) Photographer of the Year finalist
Julia Ochs
Credit: Julia Ochs
“In this coastal region of Vietnam, Sargassum seaweed grows and regenerates naturally, often rising above the water’s surface when fully matured, creating the impression of an underwater forest. Fishermen carry out their work using traditional round basket boats, manually handling the nets with care … Throughout the process, maintaining harmony with nature is essential, as preserving the delicate balance of the surrounding ecosystem remains a top priority.”
Finalist in the Human Connection Award: People & Planet Ocean
Natnattcha Chaturapitamorn
Credit: Natnattcha Chaturapitamorn
“I have rarely seen such verdant colourful soft corals on this scale anywhere, so was overjoyed to dive this site in the Maldives, at Maalhoss Thila, North Ari Atoll. Also known as Blue Caves, this site has been thriving for years, and having dived it over 20 years ago, it now seems more colourful and prolific than ever before – a beacon of hope for the future.”
Conservation (Hope) Photographer of the Year finalist
Catherine Holmes
Credit: Catherine Holmes
“Putting myself out in the field has taught me lessons no textbook ever could. It has also deepened my understanding of the profound biophilia held by the Tahitian people on the island of Mo’orea. These 2 humpback whales are always seen together, and I was fortunate to capture this rare moment of synchronicity. To me, this photo reflects the strong bond between them while also revealing their playful and curious personalities.”
Young Photographer of the Year finalist
Yuka Takahashi
Credit: Yuka Takahashi