Ocean Photographer of the Year Exhibition

About

Experience the ocean like never before at The Historic Dockyard Chatham, as it hosts 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 intimate portraits of tiny marine life to sweeping seascapes and powerful human stories, each one sparking fresh conversations about the beauty of the blue planet and the urgent need to protect it.

A window into the ocean
The exhibition offers a vivid journey beneath the waves, filled with colour, movement and life. Highlights include drooling dragons, playful penguins and a puffin caught in a desperate chase with a thief. Ethereal stingrays drift through clouds of sand, while a candy crab reigns over its pink coral kingdom. Alongside these marine encounters are compelling stories of human connection to the sea, from a gravity-defying surfer launching toward a rainbow to rescuers racing against time to save a beached whale.

Key works include Indonesia-based photographer Yury Ivanov's overall winning image of two synchronised amphipods, often referred to as the "ladybugs of the sea," and the Female Fifty Fathoms Award-winning portfolio by Jialing Cai, recognised for her inspiring body of work.

Ideal for nature lovers, photography enthusiasts and families, this exhibition offers a rare opportunity to experience one of the world's most prestigious ocean photography showcases in the northern hemisphere.

About the competition
Ocean Photographer of the Year celebrates the beauty of the world's oceans while shining a light on the challenges they face. The competition is run by London-based Oceanographic Magazine and co-presented with Blancpain as part of the Blancpain Ocean Commitment, which supports ocean awareness, research and conservation initiatives.

The competition has become a leading global platform for ocean imagery, with its annual in-person exhibitions, alongside print and digital reach, connecting millions worldwide.