The ocean is a mystical place. No one knows what's deep down in it. What creatures live there, what lost civilizations are at the bottom of it. Some people are really scared of that unknown and unexplored ocean; however, it can be very beautiful and stunning. Not to mention that it's vital for our survival.

The Ocean Photography Awards are back on Bored Panda to show you the beauty of our oceans. Photographers from all over the world gathered up and submitted stunning photos that could be the winners of the 2021 contest. The Ocean Photography Awards have a mission of showing the importance of preserving marine life and environments. The awards are divided into six different categories, which each will have their own winners in addition to the overall champion.

More info: oceanphotographyawards.com | Instagram

Discover more in The Ocean Photography Awards 2021 Announced Their Finalists (30 Pics)

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#1

Conservation Photographer, Nicholas Samaras

Seahorse underwater clinging to a discarded face mask, highlighting ocean pollution in ocean photography awards.

"A seahorse clings to a face mask (in Stratoni, Greece)"

oceanphotographyawards Report

Here's what Oceanographic says on their website: "The Ocean Photography Awards™ is a celebration of our beautiful blue planet, as well as a platform to highlight the many plights it is facing. A total of eight awards, including the inaugural Female Fifty Fathoms Award, will be announced this year, with the overall winner, the Ocean Photographer of the Year, announced on September 16th."

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    #2

    Youth Photographer, Hannah Le Leu

    Young sea turtle swimming near the ocean surface with birds flying above, captured in ocean photography awards.

    "A green sea turtle hatchling cautiously surfaces for air, to a sky full of hungry birds in Heron Island, Australia."

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    #3

    Exploration Photographer, Matty Smith

    Bioluminescent octopus illuminated in dark ocean waters, featured in ocean photography awards finalists.

    "A southern bobtail squid puts on a performance. Wollongong Harbour, Australia "

    oceanphotographyawards Report

    "The Ocean Photography Awards offers photographers the opportunity to win some truly unique and career-changing prizes. As well as cash prizes, equipment from generous ocean brands and social media exposure to millions of ocean photography enthusiasts, entrants also have the chance of securing a year-long residency as a member of the SeaLegacy Collective. The prizes on offer have a total value of more than £500,000, though some, in truth, are priceless." Click here to see the prizes in detail!

    #4

    Community Choice Award, Michael Haluwana

    Aerial view of ocean waves crashing with a pod of dolphins swimming in vibrant blue water, ocean photography award finalist.

    "A pod of dolphins catches a wave. Cape Naturaliste, Western Australia"

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    #5

    Stefan Christmann

    Two emperor penguins with a chick in snowy landscape, an inspiring image from Ocean Photography Awards finalists.

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    Oceanographic want to help save the ocean: "Oceanographic is a magazine that is both about and for the ocean. We donate 20% of annual profits to marine conservation charities, making us part of the fight for a healthier blue planet. Because part of our donation total is derived from magazine sales, that means our readers are part of the fight too. Become an Oceanographic reader, become an ocean conservationist!"

    #7

    Adventure Photographer, Sebastien Pontoizeau

    Underwater view of a diver swimming near a large whale, showcasing stunning ocean photography awards finalists.

    "A freediver duck dives to capture a photograph of a humpback whale."

    oceanphotographyawards Report

    "Oceanographic is partnered with some of the most committed and effective marine conservation charities working today, ensuring all donations are used purposefully in the pursuit of a better-protected ocean. Real change can only be fostered by empowering a variety of ocean communities, from divers to surfers, via yachters and kayakers. Oceanographic is delighted to be partnered with esteemed and diverse charities, including Project AWARE® and Blue Sphere Foundation."

    #8

    Community Choice Award, Phil De Glanville

    Surfer riding a large ocean wave with a visible rainbow in mist captured for ocean photography awards finalists.

    "Surfer Jack Robinson rides the famous break known as ‘The Right’, home to some of the heaviest waves in the world."

    oceanphotographyawards Report

    #9

    Adventure Photographer, Grant Thomas

    Two seals underwater with sunlight streaming through, featured in ocean photography awards finalists.

    "Playful grey seals – a species that has been protected in the UK for decades under the Conservation of Seals Act 1970. Farne Islands, United Kingdom"

    oceanphotographyawards Report

    #10

    Adventure Photographer, Martin Broen

    Diver illuminated by a beam of light underwater, showcasing stunning ocean photography awards finalist imagery.

    "A diver descends into a cenote. Quintana Roo, Mexico"

    oceanphotographyawards Report

    #11

    Stefan Christmann

    A group of penguin chicks huddled together on ice, featured in the Ocean Photography Awards finalists.

    oceanphotographyawards Report

    #12

    Adventure Photographer, Daisuke Kurashima

    Whale tail underwater captured in deep blue ocean, showcasing stunning ocean photography awards finalists' work.

    "A humpback whale dives into the blue, emitting a trail of bubbles as it descends. Okinawa, Japan"

    oceanphotographyawards Report

    #13

    Stefan Christmann

    Close-up of a polar bear's paws protecting an egg, featured in ocean photography awards finalists 2021.

    oceanphotographyawards Report

    #14

    Adventure Photographer, Tanya Houppermans

    Close-up underwater shot of a crocodile taken during a sunset, featured in ocean photography awards finalists.

    "An American crocodile glides through the water at sunset at Gardens of the Queen, Cuba, a protected marine reserve since 1996."

    oceanphotographyawards Report

    #15

    Adventure Photographer, Steve Woods

    Underwater ocean photography of a diver surrounded by sea lions, showcasing finalists from the Ocean Photography Awards 2021.

    "Sea lions swarm a diver. Vancouver Island, Canada"

    oceanphotographyawards Report

    See Also on Bored Panda
    #17

    Stefan Christmann

    Two emperor penguins with their chicks on snowy ground, captured in ocean photography awards finalists.

    oceanphotographyawards Report

    #18

    Matty Smith

    Bioluminescent jellyfish glowing in ocean waters during sunset, featured in ocean photography awards finalists.

    oceanphotographyawards Report

    #19

    Adventure Photographer, Ben Thouard

    Surfer captured underwater riding a wave with sunlight streaming through the ocean, showcasing ocean photography awards finalists.

    "A wave known as Teahupo’o, as seen from below. Tahiti, French Polynesia"

    oceanphotographyawards Report

    #20

    Matty Smith

    Young sea turtle swimming near the surface of the ocean, featured in ocean photography awards finalists 2021.

    oceanphotographyawards Report

    #21

    Collective Portfolio Award, Stefan Christmann

    A large colony of emperor penguins huddling closely on ice with glaciers in the background, ocean photography awards.

    "Male emperor penguins huddling during polar night, to stay warm as a group."

    oceanphotographyawards Report

    #22

    Adventure Photographer, Rodrigo Thome

    Underwater scene of hammerhead sharks and fish swimming, showcasing ocean photography awards finalists' stunning marine life capture.

    "A shiver of hammerhead sharks."

    oceanphotographyawards Report

    #23

    Adventure Photographer, James Ferrara

    S***m whale swimming underwater surrounded by yellow seaweed in ocean photography awards finalist image.

    "A sperm whale and sargassum seaweed. Roseau, Dominica"

    oceanphotographyawards Report

    #24

    Exploration Photographer, Steve Woods

    Two wolves walking and interacting on a reflective wet surface near the ocean in ocean photography awards finalists image.

    "Coastal wolves play on a remote beach. British Columbia, Canada"

    oceanphotographyawards Report

    #25

    Young Ocean Photographer, Jack Mckee

    Flying fish in clear blue sky captured in ocean photography awards finalist submission highlighting marine life beauty.

    "A juvenile flying fish, photographed from below. Lady Elliot Island, Australia"

    oceanphotographyawards Report

    #26

    Exploration Photographer, Steven Kovacs

    Transparent deep-sea fish with flowing fins captured in striking detail in ocean photography awards 2021 finalists.

    "A rare deep water cusk eel larva. Florida, USA"

    oceanphotographyawards Report

    See Also on Bored Panda
    #27

    Community Choice Award, Fabrice Guerin

    Underwater ocean photography showing a sea lion swimming near a large swirling school of fish in deep blue water.

    "A sea lion hunts mackerel off the coast of Baja (California Sur, Mexico)."

    oceanphotographyawards Report

    #28

    Galice Hoarau

    Group of dolphins swimming upward in dark ocean water, featured in ocean photography awards finalists.

    oceanphotographyawards Report

    #29

    Ocean Conservation Photographer, Henley Spiers

    Sea turtle swimming underwater near a floating buoy in a vibrant blue ocean, featured in ocean photography awards.

    "An olive ridley turtle ensnared by fishing gear, far offshore in the Pacific Ocean. Baja California Sur, Mexico."

    oceanphotographyawards Report

    #30

    Adventure Photographer, Scott Portelli

    Black and white underwater shot of a whale swimming near the surface, featured in ocean photography awards finalists.

    "A humpback whale calf crashes back into the ocean after a breach. Neiafu, Tonga "

    oceanphotographyawards Report

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