Ocean Photographer of the Year Exhibition
28 Mar - 31 Aug 2026
See the ocean like never before at the UK debut of the Ocean Photographer of the Year exhibition.
Showcasing 116 award-winning photographs, this inspiring exhibition brings together the very best in ocean, wildlife and underwater photography from around the world. Selected from more than 15,000 entries, the images range from intricate portraits of tiny marine life to sweeping seascapes and powerful human stories, thereby sparking fresh conversations about the beauty of our blue planet and the urgent need to protect it.
A window into the ocean
Step into a natural world of colour, movement and life beneath the waves. Meet drooling dragons, playful penguins, and a puffin desperately trying to evade a thief. Marvel at ethereal stingrays drifting through sand clouds and a candy crab ruling over its pink wonderland. Alongside these marine wonders are moving stories of human connection to the sea, from a gravity-defying surfer launching toward a rainbow to rescuers racing to save a beached whale.
Highlights include Indonesia-based photographer Yury Ivanov’s overall winning shot of two synchronised amphipods, known as the “ladybugs of the sea,” alongside Female Fifty Fathoms Award winner Jailing Cai, recognised for her inspiring body of work.
Perfect for nature lovers, photography fans and families, don’t miss the chance to be one of the first to experience one of the world’s most prestigious ocean photography exhibitions in the northern hemisphere.
About the competition
The Ocean Photographer of the Year celebrates our beautiful blue planet, while also highlighting the many plights it is facing. The competition is run by London-based Oceanographic Magazine and co-presented with Blancpain as part of the Blancpain Ocean Commitment, which supports awareness, research and conservation efforts.
The competition has become a leading platform for ocean imagery, with its annual in person exhibitions, print and digital reach connecting millions worldwide.
The Ocean Photographer of the Year exhibition is included in your Dockyard admission ticket.
Photo credits: Romain Barats, Giancarlo Mazarese, Yury Ivanov, Kaushiik Subramaniam, Jenny Stock, & Yuka Takahashi.
Testimonial
“The exhibition is stunning, presenting the most incredible images of sea life and the interaction between humans and the sea. I was particularly moved by the images showing the harms that humans have done, intentionally and otherwise, to the beauty of nature and wildlife. The commentary alongside each image really helped to explain what I was looking at and how challenging it must be to get these kinds of image. The environment in the exhibition room – dark and with calming background sounds, really helped me to be thoughtful and consider what I was looking at. I could spend hours in here!“
Gemma Klein, Bradfields Academy
