The winners of the Ocean Conservancy’s 2025 photo contest will make you “ooh,” “ah,” and feel a sense of wonder. The nonprofit organization recently announced three winners in the categories of Judges’ Choice, Staff Choice, and People’s Choice.
“After receiving countless stunning submissions to our 2025 #PhotoContest, our panel of esteemed judges and community of ocean lovers have selected this year’s winning photos, and we are truly blown away,” wrote the Ocean Conservancy in a Facebook post sharing the winning photos.
[RELATED: Spectacular Photos Show Insane Close-ups of Killer Whales]
The winners are:
JUDGES’ CHOICE: “The Art of Survival” by Andrés Ballesteros
This photo shows a blue-footed booby from the Galapagos Islands breaking the ocean’s surface as it catches a gleaming fish in its beak.
STAFF CHOICE: “Sunset Whale Tail in Front of Eagle Glacier” by Harvey Hergett
This photo shows a humpback whale playfully tail and fin slapping in front of Alaska’s Eagle Glacier (and a gorgeous sky).
PEOPLE’S CHOICE: “Manatee Love!” by Paige Taggart
Taggart says she took this playful shot while snorkeling in Crystal River, Florida and a curious juvenile manatee came to see her.
See the Ocean Conservancy’s post about the photo-contest winners here:
Which one is your favorite?
Header stock image by Stephen Frink/Getty Images