Winners of the United Nations World Ocean Day photo competition

Back story: ‘This photo, taken in Mo’orea, French Polynesia in 2024, captures the eye of a humpback whale named Sweet Girl, just days before her tragic death.

‘Four days after I captured this intimate moment, she was struck and killed by a fast-moving ship. Her death serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the 20,000 whales lost to ship strikes every year.

‘We are using her story to advocate for stronger protections, petitioning for stricter speed laws around Tahiti and Mo’orea during whale season.

‘I hope Sweet Girl’s legacy will spark real change to protect these incredible animals and prevent further senseless loss.’

First Place: Big and Small Faces:

Andrey Nosic (@andreynosik), Russia

Back story: ‘This photo of a Japanese warbonnet (Chirolophis japonicus) was captured in the Sea of Japan, about 50 miles (80 kilometres) southwest of Vladivostok, Russia.

‘I found the ornate fish at a depth of about 30 meters (100 ft), under the stern of a shipwreck. This species does not appear to be afraid of divers—on the contrary, it seems to enjoy the attention—and it even tried to sit on the dome port of my camera.’

First Place: Underwater Seascapes

Dani Escayola (@daniescayola), Spain

Back story: ‘This year, I had the incredible opportunity to visit a jellyfish lake during a liveaboard trip around southern Raja Ampat, Indonesia.

‘Being surrounded by millions of jellyfish, which have evolved to lose their stinging ability due to the absence of predators, was one of the most breathtaking experiences I’ve ever had.’

First Place: Above Water Seascapes

Leander Nardin (@akela.world), Austria

Back Story: ‘A serene lake cradled by arid dunes, where a gentle stream breathes life into the heart of Mother Earth’s creation.

‘Captured from an airplane, this image reveals the powerful contrasts and hidden beauty where land and ocean meet, reminding us that the ocean is the source of all life and that everything in nature is deeply connected.

‘The location is a remote stretch of coastline near Shark Bay, Western Australia.’

The 2025 photo competition was coordinated in a collaboration between the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, DivePhotoGuide (DPG), Oceanic Global, and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO.

Since its inception in 2014, the competition has been curated by underwater and wildlife photographer Ellen Cuylaerts, who also heads up the judging panel.

The Photo Competition for UN World Oceans Day is a free and open public competition that calls on photographers and artists from around the world to communicate the beauty of the ocean and the importance of the respective United Nations World Oceans Day theme each year.

All winners and participants in the competition signed a charter of 14 commitments regarding ethics in photography.

Winning photos from 2025 as well as from previous years can be viewed via the competition’s virtual gallery.