(Watch Rafael Fernández Caballero discuss his overall win with BBC Breakfast)

Today, the much-anticipated winners of the Ocean Photographer of the Year 2024, presented by Oceanographic Magazine and Blancpain, were revealed. Rafael Fernández Caballero was named Ocean Photographer of the Year 2024 for his image of a Bryde’s whale feeding on a heart-shaped baitball.

The image was chosen from more than 15,000 images by ocean photographers across all disciplines, including underwater, surf and drone.

Discussing the image, Caballero says: “The image captures perhaps the most special – and craziest – moment in my life. It fills me with joy having lived this moment – and to have captured the image.”

“The winning shot was taken in Baja California Sur, Mexico, during the Mexican sardine run. The entire scene was incredible, from the colourful dorados surrounding the baitball to the sea lions and sardines swimming in the open ocean. The whale came out of nowhere with its mouth wide open, and the sight was nothing short of surreal. The Pacific waters were calm that day, making it a perfect opportunity to capture this once-in-a-lifetime moment,” he adds.

“For years, I’ve visited the Mexican sardine run, always hoping to witness a whale feeding on a baitball. It’s one of the most spectacular predation events you can witness, and I was lucky enough to be there with friends to capture it. It’s not just about the image itself, but about the shared experience and the thrill of being in the right place at the right time.”

Reflecting on being name Ocean Photographer of the Year 2024, Caballero explains: “This is a dream come true. Spectacular. Being a part of the best compilation of ocean photography this year – and receiving the top recognition – drives me to keep believing in what I do and to continue showcasing the ocean’s wonders.”

This year’s winning photographs reveal the full spectrum of ocean life through a wealth of drone, land and underwater images. They include dramatic wildlife encounters, such as a baitball being devoured from air and sea, out-of-place eels slithering over rocks at low tide, and an iridescent mahi mahi caught with a mouthful; beautiful examples of our species’ connection with the ocean, from a boat crew hauling an impossibly large net out of the water, conservationists tending to coral nurseries, and a freediver on their way into the depths of a blue hole; and stark reminders of our impact on the ocean, including an octopus sheltering in a plastic bag, a fin whale being hauled ashore for butchering, and a gannet accidentally hanged after its unnatural nest became a noose. 

A total of nine categories were judged, with the overall winner crowned the Ocean Photographer of the Year 2024. First up, here are this year’s three overall winners…

FIRST PLACE: Rafael Fernández Caballero, taken in Baja California Sur, Mexico 

A Bryde’s whale takes a bite. “A feeding frenzy is the biggest show on earth for me. The smallest animals on earth, plankton, attract bait balls of sardines and, in turn, giant whales show up,” says Caballero. “I was lucky to witness this show off Baja California Sur at the end of 2023. Due to El Niño and warmer temperatures, different species joined the party and I witnessed huge numbers of beautifully coloured dorados and large groups of sea lions that were attracted by the bait balls. The highlight was this whale coming out of nowhere with its mouth wide open.”

In second place…

SECOND PLACE: Jade Hoksbergen, taken in Shetland, Scotland

A northern gannet dives into the water to catch its prey. With a 180 centimetre wingspan, they are one of the largest seabirds in British waters. “Whilst their size alone is impressive, what makes this bird remarkable is its ability to plunge-dive at high speeds,” says Hoksbergen. “I wanted to capture the beauty of this incredible feat: the moment a northern gannet plunges into the sea, like a bullet piercing through the calm surface of the sea. Northern gannets have a number of adaptations that make it a true ‘ocean bird’. These adaptations enable them to dive from heights of 30 metres, hitting the water at speeds of up to 60 mph.”

And in third place…

THIRD PLACE: Thien Nguyen Ngoc, taken in Vietnam

“While photographing the shallow coral reefs along the coastline of Hon Yen, Phu Yen province in Vietnam, I noticed a long trail of smoke coming up from a local fishing boat operating not far from the coast,” says Nguyen Ngoc. “I decided to fly my drone to take a look and coincidentally took this image from above. It shows the soft light of a new day, illuminating the long trail of smoke from the boat’s chimney, while it perfectly aligns with the shape of the green nets moving under the surface. Many local fishing families along this coastline will follow the near-shore currents to catch anchovies during peak season. Salted anchovy is the most important raw material to create traditional fish sauce – the spirit of Vietnamese cuisine. The connection between the sea, the fish, and the creation of traditional fish sauce is woven into my family history, making this photo not just a visual moment but a heartfelt tribute to our local community’s heritage.”

Next up, we introduce the winner of the Female Fifty Fathoms Award…

FEMALE FIFTY FATHOMS AWARD: Ipah Uid Lynn

The recipient of this year’s Female Fifty Fathoms Award, an award created to celebrate pioneering and boundary-pushing women in ocean photography, is Malaysian photographer and mother of six Ipah Uid Lynn.

Reflecting on her nomination and win, Lynn says: “Receiving the Female Fifty Fathoms Award is an incredible honour and validation of the passion and dedication I’ve poured into my work over the years. It feels surreal and deeply gratifying. It’s a recognition that goes beyond personal achievement; it highlights the importance of storytelling through photography and the voices of women in this field. I’m truly humbled and inspired to continue pushing the boundaries of what I can capture and share with the world.”

And the Ocean Adventure Photographer of the Year is…

OCEAN ADVENTURE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR: Tobias Friedrich, taken in Norway

Every winter, orcas and humpback whales come to Northern Norway to feed on Atlantic herring. “On our expedition to look for orcas and whales, we were quite unlucky for a whole week,” remembers Friedrich. “Suddenly, we found a bait ball with herring just outside the harbour of Skjervoy. This huge humpback filled its huge mouth with the small fish, before swimming past us closely.”

Moving on to the Ocean Conservation Photographer of the Year (Hope)…

OCEAN CONSERVATION PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR (HOPE): Shane Gross, taken in the Seychelles

A green sea turtle is released by a researcher after being caught while trying to catch sharks. “Acting quickly, the researchers untangled the turtle, took measurements, and tagged it before releasing her back where she was caught,” remembers Gross. “She is now an ambassador for her species.” 

And here comes the Ocean Conservation Photographer of the Year (Impact) winner…

OCEAN CONSERVATION PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR (IMPACT): Frederik Brogaard, taken in Iceland

The second biggest whale, the fin whale, lies waiting for its turn to be butchered at a whaling plant in Iceland before getting sent to Japan. “Shortly after taking this image, the whale was hoisted up the ramp,” says photographer Brogaard. “Public uproar throughout the last two years has resulted in the cancellation of last year’s whaling season in Iceland. I hope this picture serves as inspiration to keep the public pressure on.”

Introducing the Ocean Wildlife Photographer of the Year next…

OCEAN WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR: Manuel Castellanos Raboso, taken in Baja California Sur, Mexico

A triumphant mahi-mahi or common dolphinfish proudly displays its catch amidst a feeding frenzy. “Its vibrant yellow and green hues shimmer brilliantly under the refracted sunlight against the stunning blue of the Pacific Ocean,” says Castellanos Raboso. “The bait ball was semi-static, allowing us to spend some time in the water with these fish, moving like torpedoes in front of us.”

Next up, the Ocean Fine Art Photographer of the Year…

OCEAN FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR: Henley Spiers, taken in Baja California Sur, Mexico

“Born during the great mobula aggregations of spring, juvenile Munk’s devil rays remain in the Sea of Cortez long after their parents have left,” explains Spiers. “At night we hung a green light from the back of our boat, as plankton gathered around it the mobula rays gratefully swooped in for a microscopic buffet. The rays seem to fly through the water as they pursue their dinner.”

The Human Connection Award winner is up next…

THE HUMAN CONNECTION AWARD: Zhang Xiang, taken in China

A beach reflects the golden haze of the sunset, while a traditional fisherman wades through the water. 

And here is the Young Ocean Photographer of the Year…

THE YOUNG OCEAN PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR: Jacob Guy, taken in North Sulawesi, Indonesia

The algae octopus is an elusive creature. “Normally coming out to hunt at dusk, with incredible camouflage, these creatures blend seamlessly into the reef – until they are viewed under a different light,” says Guy. “These octopuses are one of the only cephalopods that actually fluoresce under ultraviolet light. On my last night dive of the trip, I got lucky and found one of these beautiful creatures on the hunt for a meal and managed to capture the intense look from its yellow eyes.” 

Last but not least, the Ocean Portfolio Award…

OCEAN PORTFOLIO AWARD: Shane Gross

Shane Gross is a Canadian marine conservation photojournalist. His childhood passion for sharks has grown into a love for everything that lives underwater. Telling long-form narratives about the ocean and human’s impact on her, both positive and negative, are what drive him as can be seen in his winning portfolio. 

The annual Ocean Photographer of the Year competition has a simple mission: to shine a light on the wonder and fragility of our blue planet, and to celebrate the photographers giving it a voice.

The first Ocean Photographer of the Year 2024 exhibition will open at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney on November 28^th, followed by several additional venues in early 2025.

To view all second and third places, as well as all highly commended images, click here.