Thouard managed to take this incredible shot of the 6-foot swell while freediving in the ocean.
The former was won byKerim Sabuncuoglufor his portrait of a dead moray eel on an abandoned fishing line.
Check out the stunning winners of the 2022 Ocean Photographer of the Year awards.
2022 Ocean Photographer of the Year, Overall WinnerBen Thouard, A surfer battles one of the heaviest waves in the world following a wipe-out.Tahiti, French Polynesia
When I dived down to look, the fish separated around the turtle perfectly.
It had emerged from an egg just minutes earlier with approximately 100 of its siblings.
Ocean Adventure Photographer of the Year, WinnerBen Thouard, (image A) Surfer Matahi Drollet catches a wave known as Teahupo’o in Tahiti.Tahiti, French Polynesia
Adventure Ocean Photographer of the Year, SecondBen Thouard, (image B) A wave known as Teahupo’o, as seen from below.Tahiti, French Polynesia
Ocean Adventure Photographer of the Year, ThirdSebastien Pontoizeau, A freediver duck dives to capture a photograph of a humpback whale.Réunion Island
Community Choice Award, WinnerPhil de Glanville, Surfer Jack Robinson rides the famous break known as ‘The Right’, home to some of the heaviest waves in the world.Denmark, Western Australia
Ocean Photographer of the Year, WinnerAimee Jan, A green turtle, surrounded by glass fish. “I was out snorkelling when one of my colleagues told me there was a turtle under a ledge in a school of glass fish, about 10 metrMes down,” says photographer Aimee Jan. “When I dived down to look, the fish separated around the turtle perfectly. I said to her: ‘I think I just took the best photo I have ever taken’.”Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia
Ocean Photographer of the Year, SecondHenley Spiers, “Diving in amidst the barrage of gannets, I witness the violent synchronicity of these impressive seabirds as they embark on fishing dives,” says photographer Henley Spiers. “They hit the water at 60mph, an impact they can only withstand thanks to specially evolved air sacs in the head and chest. The bird’s agility transfers from air to sea where it also swims with incredible speed.”Isle of Noss, Shetland, UK
Ocean Photographer of the Year, ThirdMatty Smith, “A hawksbill turtle hatchling just 3.5cm long and a few minutes old takes its first swim,” says photographer Matty Smith. “It had emerged from an egg just minutes earlier with approximately 100 of its siblings. They quickly made their way into the ocean to disperse as rapidly as they could and avoid predation from birds and fish. I had to work quickly for this shot.”Lissenung Island, Papua New Guinea
Ocean Conservation Photographer of the Year, WinnerKerim Sabuncuoglu, A dead moray eel on an abandoned fishing line.Bodrum, Turkey
Ocean Conservation Photographer of the Year, SecondGalice Hoarau, (A) A gull caught on a ghost fishing line.Saltstraumen, Norway
Ocean Conservation Photographer of the Year, ThirdSteven Kovacs, (A) A female paper nautilus drifts along on a piece of trash.Anilao, Philippines
Exploration Photographer of the Year, WinnerMartin Broen, (A) Speleothems cast long shadows at cenote Dos Pisos.Quintana Roo, Mexico
Exploration Photographer of the Year, SecondSteven Kovacs, A rare deep water cusk eel larva.Florida, USA
Exploration Photographer of the Year, ThirdMatty Smith, (A) A portrait of a squid.Bushrangers Bay, Australia
