This spring, SS Great Britain becomes the second venue in Europe to host Ocean Photographer of the Year 2025 – a stunning collection of over 100 award-winning images celebrating the beauty, diversity and vulnerability of our marine ecosystems.
Housed beneath the ‘glass sea’ in our historic Dry Dock, the exhibition brings together extraordinary photography from across the globe. From the grand title-winning shot by Indonesia-based Yury Ivanov – capturing two tiny amphipods, just 3mm long and nicknamed “ladybugs of the sea”, resting on coral in perfect symmetry – to intimate portraits of creatures most of us will never encounter in the wild.
- Among the collection highlights are the UK’s Aaron Sanders’ mesmerising image of two bobtail squid mating on the seabed, waves of colour rippling across their intertwined bodies as chromatophores pulse in the darkness.
- Jialing Cai’s ethereal photograph reveals a juvenile wunderpus octopus, almost translucent, surrounded by a constellation of zooplankton in the waters of the Philippines.
- Natnattcha Chaturapitamorn’s striking aerial view captures the morning ritual at Tam Tien beach in Vietnam, where fishermen in round basket boats ferry their catch to shore – a powerful reminder of the deep connection between coastal communities and the sea.
Each photograph is a window into ocean worlds beyond the limits of human vision, revealing microscopic marvels and vast seascapes that demand our protection. The Dry Dock – the heart of the SS Great Britain Trust’s conservation work – makes a fitting and atmospheric home for this urgent call to action.
The exhibition runs from 1 April to 28 June 2026, with admission included in general ticket prices. The venue has plans to host special late-night openings and a programme of arts events to complement the exhibition – with more details to be announced soon. Book your admission tickets at ssgreatbritain.org.
