See previous winners Enter 2025 Enter OPY2025 Shop OPY shop
Presented by
DISCOVER MORE ABOUT THE COLLABORATION
OPY2025 entry window closes in:
Finalists announced in August.
Winners announced in September.
Follow us at @OPY_Awards for all the latest.
00
DAY
00
HOUR
00
MINUTE
00
SECOND
base
KEEPING TIME: THE FIFTY FATHOMS, BY BLANCPAIN EXPLORE

Key dates & news

1 April

OPY2025 opens for entries!

Those wanting to make an early impression can enter their work!

27 April

Sydney OPY2024 exhibition closes.

Last chance to see ALL finalists and winners at the Sydney exhibition Book tickets Book tickets to Sydney - Link opens in a new window

30 April

Last day for 'Early bird' entries!

Use 'earlybird20' coupon code for 20% off entry fees before this date

30 June

Entry period closes.

The last day for entrants to submit photographs!

1 July

Judging begins!

The judging process starts with the creation of a longlist

31 July

WINNERS CHOSEN.

ALL CATEGORY WINNERS AND OVERALL WINNER CHOSEN

14 August

OPY2025 finalists announced!

All category finalists for OPY2025 are announced

18 September

winners announced!

The Ocean Photographer of the Year is announced

About

The Ocean Photographer of the Year is a celebration of our beautiful blue planet, as well as a platform to highlight the many plights it is facing.

Ocean photographers of all disciplines and experience levels – amateurs and professionals alike – are invited to submit their most impactful imagery to be judged by a panel of ocean photographers, editors and museum/gallery curators. A total of 118 ocean images are recognised each year, connecting with millions of people around the world via digital, print and in-person exhibitions.

Rules / FAQs Prizes

Photo by Merche Llobera (OPY2024)

Categories

The grand title winner, the Ocean Photographer of the Year, is selected from submissions across nine categories. Each category is also recognised with a winner.

Categories are broad in their focus and open to interpretation. This is to make OPY as inclusive as possible and to ensure the bravest and boldest photographers can find a suitable category in which to enter their work. Underwater, from the air, on the coast or out at sea, each category is open to all ocean photographers. It is this confluence of disciplines that makes each final selection so special.

Previous winnersExplore & enter

Photo by Xiang Zhang (OPY2024)

EXHIBITIONS

Find your nearest Ocean Photographer of the Year exhibition. Host cities and exhibition venues will be announced throughout 2025.

Experience the beauty, drama and power of OPY in person! Following on from several hugely successful years exhibiting winning images in an outdoor gallery by Tower Bridge, London, OPY moved indoors in 2023, opening a spectacular lightbox exhibition at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney. 2025 exhibitions will include Sydney, Melbourne and Cape Town.

Find your nearestBecome an exhibitor

Organisers

Ocean Photographer of the Year is co-presented by Oceanographic Magazine and Blancpain, two brands with the ocean at their heart.

Oceanographic and Blancpain are long-time collaborators, both possessing an inherent belief that purpose-driven storytelling has an important role to play in the pursuit of a better protected ocean. Photography is the most important element in such storytelling, a shared passion that has catapulted OPY to the forefront of Oceanographic’s and Blancpain’s collaborative endeavours.

Discover B.O.CMore about Blancpain

Winners and finalists 2024

See all winners about page