Ocean Photographer of the Year Exhibition at The Historic Dockyard Chatham

Experience the ocean like never before at The Historic Dockyard Chatham, as it hosts the UK debut of the Ocean Photographer of the Year exhibition, a colourful and inspiring day out for families.

Showcasing 116 award-winning photographs, this exciting exhibition brings together the very best in ocean, wildlife and underwater photography from around the world. Selected from more than 15,000 entries, the images range from close-up portraits of tiny sea creatures to vast ocean scenes and dramatic human adventures, helping children and adults alike discover the beauty of our blue planet and why it needs protecting.

Step beneath the waves and explore a world full of colour, movement and life. Families can spot playful penguins, drooling dragons and a puffin caught mid-chase with a cheeky thief. Ethereal stingrays glide through clouds of sand, while a candy crab rules over its bright pink coral kingdom. Alongside these marine marvels are inspiring real-life stories, from surfers leaping toward rainbows to rescuers racing to save a stranded whale.

Key highlights include Indonesia-based photographer Yury Ivanov’s overall winning image of two synchronised amphipods – often called the “ladybugs of the sea” – and the Female Fifty Fathoms Award-winning portfolio by Jialing Cai.

Ideal for curious children, nature lovers and families, this exhibition offers a fun and fascinating way to explore the oceans and the incredible creatures that call them home.