Revealed: the world’s best ocean photos soon to make a splash in Darling Harbour

Sydney will be the first city in the world to showcase the Ocean Photographer of the Year 2025 finalists in a major museum exhibition.

The ocean is coming into sharp focus at the Australian National Maritime Museum this November. From November 6, the museum will host the world premiere of the Ocean Photographer of the Year 2025 exhibition, showcasing the finalists of the world’s leading competition for marine photography.

Run by Oceanographic Magazine and Blancpain, the award attracts the best photographers from around the globe and this year, 12 Australians are among the finalists.

Ocean Photographer of the Year 2025 finalists

Announced today, on none other that World Photography Day, the finalists of this year’s competition have captured the very best of the world’s marine life, from striking seascapes to stark reminders of climate change, plastic pollution and the threats our oceans face.

The works span nine categories:

• Ocean Conservation Photographer of the Year (Hope),
• Ocean Conservation Photographer of the Year (Impact)
• Ocean Adventure Photographer of the Year
• Ocean Wildlife Photographer of the Year
• Ocean Fine Art Photographer of the Year
• Ocean Portfolio Award
• Young Ocean Photographer of the Year
• Human Connection Award.
• Female Fifty Fathoms Award (finalists not yet announced)

All of these shortlisted photographs will go on display for the first time at Sydney’s own Australian National Maritime Museum, opening on Thursday, November 6. You don’t need to wait until then to see the images though.

Below, you can see 11 of the Australian photographers’ snaps (the Female Fifty Fathoms Award finalists are yet to be announced).

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Impressed? These are only the entries from Australian photographers—there are more than 60 other images to see at the forthcoming exhibition. The winners for each category will be announced London on September 18.

Bringing critical stories to the surface

The submissions don’t just impress, they inform, inspire and sometimes confront.

Ocean Photographer of the Year Director, Will Harrison, said: ‘In the midst of a deepening climate and biodiversity crisis on our blue planet, ocean photography has never been more important. These images are far more than just beautiful—they are powerful visual testaments to what we stand to lose, and they remind us of the urgent need for protection.

‘Ocean Photographer of the Year continues to be a vital platform for sharing critical stories from above and below the waterline. We’re in awe of this year’s finalists and look forward to revealing the winners to the world next month. Their work has the power to inspire change.’

Just as the London Natural History Museum’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition draws attention to the beauty and fragility of the natural world, the Ocean Photographer of the Year competition does the same for our more elusive underwater world.

The Maritime Museum’s Director and CEO, Daryl Karp AM, says the stories behind the images will resonate just as strongly as the photographs themselves:

The overall winner and category winners will be announced in London on September 18, but Sydney audiences will be the first to see the full collection on display.

The Ocean Photographer of the Year 2025 exhibition opens November 6 at the Australian National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour.

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Ocean Photographer of the Year 2025 exhibition

Where: Australian National Maritime Museum, 2 Murray Street Darling Harbour, NSW 2000.
When: From Thursday, November 6, 2025.

Keep an eye on sea.museum for further updates and ticket information.