I’ve always been fascinated by what happens beneath the surface, but the winners of the 2025 Ocean Art Photography contest are on a whole different level. This year, thousands of entries from over 90 countries flooded in, capturing underwater moments that most of us would never see in a lifetime.
One of the most mind-blowing shots—and the well-deserved “Best in Show”—came from Steven Kovacs. He spent nearly two weeks blackwater diving off Kumejima, Japan, just to find a rare larval goosefish. The result? A stunning, alien-like image titled “Tired Fish” that proves how much patience goes into professional nature photography.
But the photography contest didn’t stop there. The gallery is a literal treasure chest of award-winning talent. I’m personally obsessed with the “Meet the Costasiellas!” shot from Indonesia; those tiny sea slugs look like something straight out of a Studio Ghibli film! From silky sharks basking in the Caribbean’s “Last Light” to the vibrant “True Colors” of a Mediterranean nudibranch, every photo tells a unique story of life under the sea.
It’s not just about the fame, either—winners took home over $60,000 in prizes, including dream-worthy diving cruises. If you’re a fan of nature or just want to feel a sense of wonder, you have to check out the full gallery. It’s a beautiful reminder of why we need to protect our oceans.
