Ocean Photographer of the Year 2026
Ocean Photographer of the Year, published by London's Oceanographic Magazine in partnership with Blancpain, is the leading global award for marine, coastal, and ocean-environment photography. The contest receives roughly 15,000 entries annually across nine categories and exhibits winners internationally, including a US premiere at Alameda Point. The 2026 cycle has been judged. The rules emphasize ethical capture and natural-world non-interference; generative AI is not separately named in the public summary but is incompatible with those principles.
- Deadline
- —
- Entry fee
- Entry fee structure not surfaced in publicly indexed sources
Authenticity policy
AI policy
Manipulation of the natural world is NOT acceptable, and all entrants confirm that all images were taken naturally, without interference with wildlife.
RAW files
Not specified
Editing rules
The Ocean Photographer of the Year rules focus on ethical capture and limited post-processing; generative AI is not explicitly named but is incompatible with the rule that all images be taken naturally without interference, which an editor should confirm against the live rules page. Roughly 15,000 entries are received each year across nine categories.
Verified on June 12, 2026