Rafael Fernández Caballero, Overall Winner, Ocean Photographer of the Year 2024
A Bryde’s whale about to devour a heart-shaped baitball.
Baja California Sur, Mexico
A stunning image of a rare Bryde’s whale about to consume a heart-shaped baitball has earned Rafael Fernández Caballero the title of Ocean Photographer of the Year 2024. The Spanish photographer shot this breathtaking photograph in Baja California Sur, Mexico. In the end, Caballero’s image was chosen from more than 15,000 submissions from the world’s finest coastal, drone, surf, and underwater photographers.
“The image captures perhaps the most special—and craziest—moment of my life. It fills me with joy having lived this moment—and to have captured the image,” Caballero admits. About being named Ocean Photographer of the Year 2024, Caballero told the organizers: “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.”
Meanwhile, the winner of the Female Fifty Fathoms Award was Malaysian photographer Ipah Uid Lynn. Created in 2021 by Oceanographic Magazine and Blancpain, this prize aims to recognize pioneering and boundary-pushing women in ocean photography. One of the most special elements of this prize is that the recipient of this award is nominated by her peers.
“Receiving the Female Fifty Fathoms Award is an incredible honor and validation of the passion and dedication I’ve poured into my work over the years,” says Lynn. “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.”
Among this year’s winners, a theme of dramatic wildlife encounters seems to connect the sweeping images shot by photographers around the world. Beyond their aesthetic value, these images serve as a reminder of how all living beings are connected, and who is most at risk if we don’t take care of the marine ecosystems.
Scroll down to see the winning images of the Ocean Photographer of the Year 2024 competition.
These are the breathtaking winners of the Ocean Photographer of the Year 2024 competition.
Jade Hoksbergen, 2nd Place Overall, Ocean Photographer of the Year 2024
A northern gannet, one of the largest seabirds in British waters, dives into the water to catch its prey.
Isle of Noss, Shetland Islands
Thien Nguyen Ngoc, 3rd Place Overall, Ocean Photographer of the Year 2024
A fishing boat off Hon Yen as its long trail of smoke perfectly aligns with the shape of the green nets under the surface.
Vietnam
Manuel Castellanos Raboso, Winner, Ocean Wildlife Photographer of the Year
A triumphant mahi-mahi or common dolphinfish proudly displays its catch amidst a feeding frenzy.
Baja California Sur, Mexico
Henley Spiers, Winner, Ocean Fine Art Photographer of the Year
Juvenile Munk’s devil rays are attracted by a green light, seemingly flying through the water.
Baja California Sur, Mexico
Jacob Guy, Winner, Young Ocean Photographer of the Year
An elusive algae octopus shows off its fluorescence under ultraviolet light.
North Sulawesi, Indonesia
Frederik Brogaard, Winner, Ocean Conservation Photographer of the Year (Impact)
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.
Iceland
Shane Gross, Winner, Ocean Conservation Photographer of the Year (Hope)
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.
Seychelles
Tobias Friedrich, Winner, Ocean Adventure Photographer of the Year
A scuba diver is dwarfed by a shipwreck.
The Bahamas
Zhang Xiang, Winner, The Human Connection Award: People and Planet Ocean
A beach reflects the golden haze of the sunset, while a traditional fisherman wades through the water.
China
Shane Gross, Winner, Portfolio
Baby plainfin midshipman fish, still attached to their yolk sacs.
British Columbia, Canada
Shane Gross, Winner, Portfolio
A male and female pink salmon spawn as their last act before perishing and feeding the forest in Campbell River.
British Columbia, Canada
Rafael Fernández Caballero, 2nd Place, Ocean Wildlife Photographer of the Year
A marine iguana sits on a rock. Unlike other iguanas around the world, these are the only ones that have evolved to swim and feed underwater, holding their breath for up to 60 minutes.
Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
João Pontes, 2nd Place, Young Ocean Photographer of the Year
A perfectly camouflaged lizardfish with prey in its mouth.
Hawaii
Julien Anton, 2nd place, Ocean Fine Art Photographer of the Year
A close-up shot of a nurse shark’s eye.
Tahiti, French Polynesia