earthlingOcean Photographer of the Year 2025
A diver surrounded by a pod of sperm whales in a photograph by Romain Barats (Dominica). Photograph: Romain Barats/Ocean Photographer of the Year
Yifan Ling, US – Human connection,
This photo was taken in April 2024, off Point No Point in Washington. In Puget Sound, there is a community of people who prefer watching orcas from the land rather than from boats. Land-based whale watchers in Puget Sound can sometimes get lucky, as these wild apex predators occasionally approach the shore, seemingly curious about their human spectators.
Ysabela Coll, #Mexico
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,” says Coll.
A batfish lies on the seabed. “Polka-dot batfish are a common sight in Florida waters, but they are notoriously difficult to photograph,” says Sullivan. “After years of trying, this individual seemed relaxed, and I was able to finally take a head-on portrait.”
Matthew Sullivan, #US
A sheep nudibranch (Costasiella kuroshimae) deposits its eggs in a circular arrangement while feeding on algae, which enables kleptoplasty, effectively making the nudibranch solar-powered. “The algal substrate provides a microhabitat for early egg development,” says Mazarese. “It demonstrates the relationship between feeding, habitat selection, and reproductive success.”
Giancarlo Mazarese, #Philippines
Two amphipods from the Cyproideidae family, each around 3mm in body length, rest on a coral. Commonly called “ladybugs of the sea”, these tiny creatures display striking colouration and symmetry.
Yury Ivanov, #Indonesia
A turtle swims through an underwater aurora. “This image was taken near Mount Iwo, where the underwater aurora can be seen,” says Tsuchiya. “The volcano spews out iron-rich substances from above ground and from the ocean floor, creating these colours.”
Hitomi Tsuchiya, #Japan
ialing Cai, #Philippines – Female fifty fathoms
A larval pufferfish, roughly the size of a thumb nail. “Although adult pufferfish are typically found around coral reefs, they begin life as plankton, drifting in the open ocean before eventually settling to the seafloor,” says Cai.
“This image represents one of the most profound moments of my life,” says Moreno Madrid. “It was my first year in Exmouth [Australia], drawn by the stories about Ningaloo Reef. With just a kayak and an obsession with the ocean I explored the reef weekly. On this particular day, a friend and I went to Turquoise Bay, where we encountered this humpback whale, hopelessly entangled in fishing nets, chased by dozens of sharks”
Claudio Moreno, #Spain – Conservation
A tiny juvenile candy crab, measuring a mere centimetre in size, perches on a pink coral. “The coral isa lso her favourite source of nutrition,” says Hoksbergen.
Jade Hoksbergen, #Philippines
A windsurfer at Ho’okipa Beach in #Hawaii, a spot famous for its big waves and strong winds. “From this view, you can really feel the power of the ocean and the connection between the rider, the wave, and the wind,” says Iliya.
Karim Iliya, Hawaii – Ocean adventure
A long-finned pilot whale foetus lies lifeless under its mother’s corpse. “Each year, more than 1,000 cetaceans are killed during grindadráp, the slaughter of entire whale groups, including juveniles and pregnant females,“ says Bret.
Hugo Bret, #FaroeIslands – #Conservation
Divers explore the unique Yab Yum cave. Close to 100 metres in diameter and more than 70 metres deep, it is considered the largest water-filled sinkhole that has ever been documented.
Alex Dawson, Mexico – Ocean adventure
“This photo shows the larval dispersal behaviour observed during the hatching of the yellow pigmy goby,” says Oyama.
Takumi Oyama, # Japan
❄️SnowyIn🇨🇦❄️@appassionato
They are pretty. Thanks for sharing.
They are pretty. Thanks for sharing.