2023 ocean photographer of the year – in pictures

The winners and finalists of this year’s contest celebrate the blue planet but they also draw attention to the many environmental challenges to marine life and ecosystems – from a warming climate to human development and tourism. The winning images are on show until May 2024 at the Australian National Maritime Museum

Main image: This shot of a female paper nautilus taking a ride on a drifting piece of wood after the Taal volcano eruption in Batangas Bay, Philippines, by Chinese macro specialist Jialing Cai was the overall winner of the 2023 ocean photographer of the year contest. Photograph: Jialing Cai

  • Winner, young photographer of the year: Jarvis Smallman

    ‘For a few years, I’ve watched this wave in Western Australia. I studied the forecasts meticulously, learned about the swell sizes and directions, tides and wind conditions. One day, it all lined up perfectly, and bodyboarder Jarrad Linton and I went out to finally photograph the wave from the water. Big storm clouds blocked the sun and an electric blue came through the wave.’
    Winner, young photographer of the year: Jarvis Smallman For a few years, I’ve watched this wave in Western Australia. I studied the forecasts meticulously, learned about the swell sizes and directions, tides and wind conditions. One day, it all lined up perfectly, and bodyboarder Jarrad Linton and I went out to finally photograph the wave from the water. Big storm clouds blocked the sun and an electric blue came through the wave.

  • Finalist, wildlife: Henley Spiers

    ‘In early autumn, vast sardine shoals surround the rocks at Los Islotes. This bounty attracts seabird predators. As we dived amid the shoal, the peace was occasionally shattered by the loud crashes of pelicans, cormorants and boobies hurtling under water in pursuit of a meal. Most of the time, the action is so swift that by the time you turn to see it, the bird is already back at the surface. I finally captured the elusive shot of a blue-footed booby rising up with a sardine in its beak. Los Islotes, Baja California Sur, Mexico.’
    Finalist WildlifeHenley Spiers In early autumn, vast sardine shoals surround the rocks at Los Islotes. This bounty attracts seabird predators. As we dived amidst the shoal, the peace was occasionally shattered by the loud crashes of pelicans, cormorants, and boobies hurtling underwater in pursuit of a meal. Most of the time, the action is so swift that by the time you turn to see it the bird is already back at the surface. I finally captured the elusive shot of a blue-footed booby rising up with a sardine in its beak, Los Islotes, Baja California Sur, Mexico.

  • Finalist, human connection: Renee Capozzola

    ‘The human in the frame portrays the successful co-existence of marine animals and people in this well-protected marine ecosystem. Mo’orea, French Polynesia.’
    Finalist Human Connection Renee Capozzola The human in the frame portrays the successful co-existence of marine animals and people in this well-protected marine ecosystem, Mo’orea, French Polynesia

  • Aquatic life: Jack Belles

    ‘A lizardfish’s open mouth reveals its last meal. The behaviour was unusual, as lizardfish are ambush predators and swim away if a diver gets too close. This one kept its mouth open like it was trying to allow the fish inside its mouth to escape. Dauin, Negros Oriental, Philippines.’
    Aquatic Life A lizardfish’s open mouth reveals its last meal. The behaviour was unusual as lizardfish are ambush predators and swim away if a diver gets too close. This one kept its mouth open like it was trying to allow the fish inside its mouth to escape, Dauin, Negros Oriental, Philippines.

  • Winner, conservation (hope): Sylvie Ayer

    ‘I went to Florida with one dream: to capture beautiful images of manatees. I hope this photo helps raise awareness of the need to protect these mammals because in Florida several hundred manatees die annually because there isn’t enough food due to pollution in the rivers. Homosassa River, Florida, US.’
    Winner Conservation HopeSylvie AyerI went to Florida with one dream: to capture beautiful images of manatees. I hope this photo helps raise awareness of the need to protect these mammals because in Florida several hundred manatees die annually because there isn’t enough food due to pollution in the rivers, Homosassa River in Florida.

  • Finalist, wildlife: Craig Perry

    ’On my first day at sea in Antarctica, I had my camera in hand and was ready to capture the gentoo penguin. Surrounded by diverse wildlife in Paradise Bay, a raft of energetic gentoo penguins charged towards our inflatable. Getting low on the boat, I prefocused my lens anticipating the moment. Freezing the fastest penguin species in the world head on wasn’t easy, as they raced at speeds of over 20mph (30km/h) towards me.’
    Finalist WildlifeCraig Parry On my first day at sea in Antarctica, I had my camera in hand and was ready to capture the gentoo penguin. Surrounded by diverse wildlife in Paradise Bay, a raft of energetic gentoo penguins charged towards our inflatable. Getting low on the boat, I prefocused my lens anticipating the moment. Freezing the fastest penguin species in the world head on wasn’t easy as they raced at speeds of over 20mph towards me.

  • Finalist, adventure: Gergo Rugli

    ‘A big swell reached Sydney’s coastline, with some waves reaching over 10ft (three metres) in height. Very few surfers had the courage to fight with these monsters. It was just before sunset and the sky was covered with clouds. I didn’t expect any colours, but just before the sun reached the horizon, a gap opened up and the setting sun painted the whole sky with mysterious red light. I wanted to create a dreamy feeling and started to shoot with a slow shutter speed to capture this unique scene. Bronte Beach, Sydney, Australia.’
    Finalist AdventureGergo Rugli A big swell reached Sydney’s coastline with some waves reaching over 10 feet in height. Very few surfers had the courage to fight with these monsters. It was just before sunset, and the sky was covered with clouds. I didn’t expect any colours, but just before the sun reached the horizon, a gap opened up, and the setting sun painted the whole sky with mysterious red light. I wanted to create a dreamy feeling and started to shoot with a slow shutter speed to capture this unique scene, Bronte Beach, Sydney

  • Winner, conservation (impact): Florian Ledoux

    ‘It is April and, as polar bear cubs frolic, the ice fractures, its fragility laid bare. A stark reminder of the urgent need to preserve this majestic realm, urging us to safeguard our precious Arctic for generations to come. The polar regions are vital for the entire planet. Without the icy regions, the stability of our world is collapsing. Svalbard, Norway.’
    Winner conservation- ImpactIt is April and a polar bear cubs frolics, the ice fractures, its fragility laid bare. A stark reminder of the urgent need to preserve this majestic realm urging us to safeguard our precious Arctic for generations to come. The polar regions are vital for the entire planet, without the icy regions, the stability of our world is collapsing, Svalbard, Norway

  • Finalist, young photographer: Aaron Sanders

    ‘Like a bolt of lightning piercing black clouds, this small common squid exploded on to the scene before me. Falmouth, UK.’
    Finalist YoungAaron SandersLike a bolt of lightning piercing black clouds, this small common squid exploded onto the scene before me, Falmouth, England.

  • Finalist, fine art: Michael Haluwana

    ’I was harnessed in an open-door aircraft flying over Shark Bay. When this herd of goats appeared in view, I was eager to capture it in this frame. Shark Bay, Western Australia.’
    Finalist Ocean Fine ArtMichael HaluwanaI was harnessed in an open door aircraft flying over Shark Bay, when this herd of goats appeared in view, I was eager to capture it in this frame, Shark Bay , Western Australia.

  • Winner, female fifty fathoms: Merche Llobera

    ‘Three cormorants dived into the water at full speed. A sea lion chased one of them, another kept trying to hunt and the third stopped right in front of me. Los Islotes, Baja California Sur, Mexico.’
    Winner Female Fifty Fathoms Merche Llobera Three cormorants dove into the water at full speed. A sea lion chased one of them, another kept trying to hunt and the third stopped right in front of me, Los Islotes, Baja California.

  • Finalist, conservation (impact): Laszlo Foldi

    ’After a long day diving in the Red Sea off Egypt, we noticed another boat and saw people jumping into the water. They usually don’t swim in this part of the sea because boat traffic can be dangerous. We went closer to see if the other boat needed help. We quickly noticed that people tried to swim with a peaceful whale shark. Unfortunately, they tried to get too close and attempted to touch the shark. This can not only be dangerous for the shark, but also for the people. Luckily, nobody got injured and the shark peacefully swam away. I jumped in and took this photo to draw attention to the negative aspects of whale shark tourism.’
    Finalist, conservation (impact): Laszlo FoldiAfter a long day diving in the Red Sea off Egypt, we noticed another boat and saw people jumping into the water. They usually don’t swim in this part of the sea because boat traffic can be dangerous. We went closer to see if the other boat needed help. We quickly noticed that people tried to swim with a peaceful whale shark. Unfortunately, they tried to get too close and attempted to touch the shark. This can not only be dangerous for the shark, but also for the people. Luckily, nobody got injured and the shark peacefully swam away. I jumped in and took this photo to draw attention to the negative aspects of whale shark tourism.

  • Finalist, conservation (hope): Jules Casey

    ’Two divers built an artificial reef at Rye in Port Phillip Bay to attract octopuses to the area and provide them with a safe place to reproduce. Virtually overnight, the artificial reef exploded with marine life. In this photograph a male octopus approaches a female during their early courting stages. After mating, the female eventually settled in the pipe and laid her eggs. Melbourne, Australia.’
    Finalist Conservation HopeJules CaseyTwo divers built an artificial reef at Rye in Port Phillip Bay to attract octopuses to the area and provide them with a safe place to reproduce. Virtually overnight, the artificial reef exploded with marine life. In this photograph a pale octopuses approaches a female during their early courting stages. After mating, the female eventually settled in the pipe and laid her eggs, Melbourne, Australia.

  • Winner, adventure: Todd Glaser

    ‘Balaram Stack surfs one of the best waves of the day at Banzai Pipeline on the north shore of O’ahu, Hawaii.’
    Winner Adventure. Todd GlaserBalaram Stack surfs one of the best waves of the day at Banzai Pipeline on the North Shore of O’ahu, Hawaii

  • Winner, fine art: Jade Hoksbergen

    ’While whale sharks have been a nuisance to the fishermen in the past, a positive solution has been found by combining the two most important industries in the Maldives: tourism and fishing. Now, when a whale shark shows up at night, the fishermen call the team at COMO Maalifushi and eager guests are able to see and swim with an ocean giant. Thaa Atoll, Maldives.’
    Winner, fine art: Jade HoksbergenWhile whale sharks have been a nuisance to the fishermen in the past, a positive solution has been found by combining the two most important industries in the Maldives: tourism and fishing. Now, when a whale shark shows up at night, the fishermen call the team at COMO Maalifushi and eager guests are able to see and swim with an ocean giant. Thaa Atoll, Maldives.
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