April 24 - May 17
Photographer Romain Barats, France, Adventure Photographer of the Year Category finalist
Hosted by West End Arts District and Bay Photo Lab, the U.S. premier of this powerful exhibition invites visitors to slow down, look closer, and reconnect with the ocean that shapes our planet—and our future.
Step inside a historic World War II airplane hangar at Alameda Point and experience the ocean like never before. Ocean Photographer of the Year, presented by Oceanographic Magazine and Blancpain, transforms this vast industrial space into an immersive gallery of the world’s most extraordinary ocean photography.
Drawn from more than 15,000 submissions by photographers around the globe, the exhibition features a curated selection of winning and finalist images spanning wildlife, adventure, fine art, conservation, and human connection. From intimate macro encounters to sweeping underwater and aerial perspectives, each photograph captures both the breathtaking beauty of the sea and the urgent need to protect it.
EXHIBITION PARTNERS
April 24 - May 17, 2026
OPENING HOURS
Saturdays and Sundays, 10am - 6pm
SPECIAL EVENTS
Thursdays and Fridays, Evenings
(see program for details)
LOCATION
Hangar 41, Alameda Point, Alameda
[Near 650 West Tower Avenue, Alameda, CA 94501]
TICKETS
General Admission - $25 | Youth/Students - $15
Family Package - 2 Adults & 2 Kids - $60
Early bird discount of 20% if order by April 1.
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Our exhibition partners receive multi-touch brand visibility across a variety of channels reaching a highly engaged audience at the intersection of photography, climate arts, and ocean stewardship.
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Historic WWII Aircraft Hangar at Alameda Point, Alameda, California (Arrival details will be provided to ticket holders.)
The exhibition is held in a large, open, ground-level hangar. Accessible restrooms available on site. The venue is wheelchair accessible.
Use GPS coordinates:
37.781507, -122.298787
* The best address to use would be: Alameda Naval Air Museum, 2151 Ferry Point, Alameda, 94501 – however, the actual exhibition entrance is on the South Side of the building closest to Seaplane Lagoon. -
Visit this page for more details to make your experience as amazing as possible.
ADDITIONAL SPECIAL EXHIBITS AND EVENTS
BAY PHOTO LAB 50
OPENING GALA 4.23
Opening party with art, storytelling, cocktails, lite bites, and more to celebrate the U.S. premiere of Ocean Photographer of the Year and Bay Photo Lab’s 50th Anniversary.
O.P.Y. EVENT SERIES
Take a journey to the depths through a series of events, including renowned speakers, Bay photo cruises, live musical performances, artist talks, and more.
Thu, Apr 30 • 5:30pm
Field Notes from the Bay: An Evening of Fast-Paced, Unforgettable Live Storytelling
Fri, May 1 • 5:30pm
Opening Reception: Bay Perspectives with Performance by Alameda-Based Cellist and Composer, Mia Pixley
Thu, May 7 • 6:00pm
Sunset Photo Cruise for Photographers with East Bay Photo Collective on the San Francisco Bay Ferry
Fri, May 15 • 5:30 PM
An Evening of Kelp with Josie Iselin: Artist, Educator, and Marine Scientist
BAY PERSPECTIVES GALLERY
A unique gallery space bringing a local perspective.
EDGE OF THE PACIFIC: BAY PERSPECTIVES
Local ocean photography curated by Jan Watten, Gray Loft Gallery, and Nick Winkworth, Bay Area Photographers Collective (BAPC). Now accepting local photographer submissions through March 14.
SAILING SCIENCE EXHIBITS
Inspiring a passion for the ocean through discovery and play, hands-on exhibits introduce the science of the sea.
Bay Photo Lab is proud to serve as the official print partner for the Ocean Photographer of the Year exhibition. Collaborating with West End Arts District and some of the world’s most talented ocean photographers, Bay Photo Lab transforms breathtaking marine imagery into vibrant, museum quality displays that inspire awe and deepen appreciation for our blue planet.
Contributing Partners
'The stories behind these photographs are as compelling as the visuals themselves – they challenge us to see the ocean not just as a place of wonder, but as a world in need of our care.’
– Daryl Karp AM, Director of the Australian National Maritime Museum
Video: Scott Portelli
The Deep Sea Will Come to Me
2026 (Female Fifty Fathoms Award) and 2023 Ocean Photographer of the Year award winner, Jialing Cai.