News

All the spectacular winning shots of the UN World Oceans Day photo competition

Step right this way for some stunning snapshots of our waters and their wildlife

Liv Kelly
Written by
Liv Kelly
Writer, Time Out Travel
Underwater Seascapes — Honourable Mention
Photograph: © Lars von Ritter Zahony (Germany) | | Underwater Seascapes — Honourable Mention
Advertising

They say we know more about outer space than we do about the ocean, but something that we can all agree on when it comes to our seas is that they are pretty magnificent – and in dire need of protection. 

To showcase them at their very best, a photo competition is held annually to align with the UN World Oceans Day, which is a collaboration between the UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, DPG, Oceanic Global, and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO. 

The winners for this year’s edition have just been announced, and they’re seriously mesmerising. 

Recommended: In pictures: the winners of the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

There were three returning categories: ‘big and small water faces’, ‘underwater seascapes’ and ‘above water seascapes’, and a new category of ‘wonder: sustaining what sustains us’, and the submissions, which were from thousands of amateur and professional photographers, were judged by a panel of experts. Scroll on for the stunning winning shots. 

Wonder: Sustaining What Sustains Us — Winner
Photograph: © Rachel Moore (USA)| Wonder: Sustaining What Sustains Us — Winner
Wonder: Sustaining What Sustains Us — 2nd Place
Photograph: © Luis Arpa (Spain)| Wonder: Sustaining What Sustains Us — 2nd Place
 Wonder: Sustaining What Sustains Us — 3rd Place
Photograph: © Steven Lopez (USA)| Wonder: Sustaining What Sustains Us — 3rd Place
Wonder: Sustaining What Sustains Us — Honorable Mention
Photograph: © Ollie Clarke (UK)| Wonder: Sustaining What Sustains Us — Honorable Mention
Big and Small Underwater Faces – Winner
Photograph: © Andrey Nosik (Russia)| Big and Small Underwater Faces – Winner
Big and Small Underwater Faces — 2nd Place
Photograph: © Giacomo Marchione (Italy)| Big and Small Underwater Faces — 2nd Place
Big and Small Underwater Faces — 3rd Place
Photograph: © Lars von Ritter Zahony (Germany)| Big and Small Underwater Faces — 3rd Place
 Underwater Seascapes — Winner
Photograph: © Dani Escayola (Spain)| Underwater Seascapes — Winner
Underwater Seascapes — 2nd Place
Photograph: © Gerald Rambert (Mauritius)| Underwater Seascapes — 2nd Place
Underwater Seascapes — 3rd Place
Photograph: © Pedro Carrillo (Spain)| Underwater Seascapes — 3rd Place
Underwater Seascapes — Honourable Mention
Photograph: © Lars von Ritter Zahony (Germany)| Underwater Seascapes — Honourable Mention
Above Water Seascapes – Winner
Photograph: © Leander Nardin (Austria)| Above Water Seascapes – Winner
Above Water Seascapes — 2nd Place
Photograph: © Nur Tucker (UK/Türkiye)| Above Water Seascapes — 2nd Place
Above Water Seascapes — 3rd Place
Photograph: © Andrey Nosik (Russia)| Above Water Seascapes — 3rd Place
Above Water Seascapes — Honorable Mention
Photograph: © Ken Findlay (South Africa)| Above Water Seascapes — Honorable Mention

Did you see that the greatest outdoor travel destinations have been named in a new ranking?

Plus: The seven wonders of the world, ranked from best to worst

Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out Travel newsletter for all the latest travel news and best stuff happening across the world.

You may also like
You may also like
Advertising