You can submit underwater images, coastal photographs, or visual artworks captured anywhere along the South Australian coastline during the entry capture period, from 1 December 2025 to 28 February 2026. Works should reflect summer conditions and your direct experience of the coast and marine environment.

Earlier reference material may inform your work, but the final image, artwork, or edit must be created during this capture period to be eligible.

1. Capture period
All works must be captured or created within South Australia between 1 December and 28 February 2026.

2. Who can enter
The competition is open to photographers, artists, divers, snorkellers, and creatives working along the South Australian coast. Interstate and international visitors are welcome.
A dedicated Youth / Junior category is open to entrants under 18.

3. Entry limits
Each entrant may submit up to five (5) works in total, with no more than two (2) entries per category.
Youth entrants may submit up to three (3) works.

4. Categories
Entries must be submitted to the correct category. Works submitted to the wrong category may be reassigned or deemed ineligible.

5. Video Entries
Videos must be 30 seconds or less, submitted via link, and filmed in HD or 4K (can be horizontal or portrait in orientation) . Entrants must hold all rights to the footage. Footage may include material captured prior to the capture period, provided the final edit is completed during the capture period and the work responds to the competition theme. Any music, graphics, or third-party material used must be cleared for use by the entrant.

5. Original work
All entries must be the entrant’s own original work. By entering, you confirm you hold the rights to the work and have permission from any identifiable people featured.

6. Submission method
Entries are submitted via the online entry form. Images and videos must be provided via an external upload link using the required file naming convention.

7. Judging
Entries will be judged in early March by a panel of photographers, artists, and marine experts based on creativity, storytelling, and connection to reef resilience.

8. Exhibition and promotion
Selected works will be exhibited at the Reef Resilience Photo & Art Showcase on 24 March 2026, with a public exhibition running from 25–31 March.
By entering, you agree to the use of your work for judging, exhibition, and non-commercial promotion of the competition and event.

9. Entry fee
Entry is free.

Reef Resilience
Images that highlight healthy, resilient, or recovering reef systems and marine life, showing strength and persistence in changing conditions.

Temperate Icons
Photographs featuring iconic species of the Great Southern Reef, showcasing the distinctive marine life of southern Australian waters.

Hidden Residents (Macro)
Close-up images of small, cryptic, or often overlooked reef species that reveal detail, texture, and behaviour rarely seen.

Human Connection
Images showing people interacting respectfully with the ocean through diving, snorkelling, research, education, or coastal activity.

Youth Photographer (Under 18)
Entries by young people under 18 capturing their own perspective on the coast and marine life.

Yorke Peninsula Coast
Images captured along the Yorke Peninsula coastline and adjacent waters, celebrating local marine and coastal environments.

Eyre Peninsula Coast
Images captured along the Eyre Peninsula coastline and adjacent waters, reflecting the region’s marine life and coastal character.

Kangaroo Island Coast
Underwater or coastal images from Kangaroo Island, including marine scenes and topside perspectives of the island’s unique environment.

Aerial Coast
Aerial images showing South Australia’s coastline, reef structure, or ocean patterns from above.

Mixed Medium
Non-photographic works using any medium, including illustration, painting, sculpture, digital art, collage, textiles, or experimental formats responding to the reef and coast.

Video Clip - Up to 30 seconds that captures a real moment of life, movement, or resilience across South Australia’s reefs. Can be a single continuous clip or a lightly edited sequence horizontal or portrait.

School Student Artwork (Years 3–9)
Open to South Australian school students in Years 3–9 (approximately ages 8–15). This category invites students to respond creatively to reef resilience, coastal life, and marine change through drawing, painting, collage, or mixed media. Entries may be submitted by individual students or as class-based artworks.

Human Connection - 3-Night Self-Drive Stay for Two in a Deluxe Ocean View Room at Sea Dragon Kangaroo Island. Includes daily premium continental breakfast, two-course dinner nightly in the dining room and a selection of local Kangaroo Island and South Australian beer, wine, cider and non-alcoholic beverages during dining hours.

Temperate Icons – Great White Shark Expedition. Supported by Rodney Fox Shark Expeditions (valued at $2,850)

Hidden Residents (Macro) - $500 Country Getaways Yorke Peninsula Accomodation Voucher, Scubapro Travel Bag, Mask & Snorkel, Amok Island Limited Edition GSR Print.

Reef Resilience – $1000 Cash + accomodation voucher.

Youth Photographer -‍ Family Guided snorkel or scuba tour (for a party of 4), Scubapro dive bag, Diving Adelaide mask & snorkel, $100 Melba's Chocolates Voucher.

School Student Artwork (Years 3–9) – Marine Discovery Centre school group visit (valued at $1,000), plus Family Glass Bottom Boat Tour (for a party of 4) valid for either Coffin Bay (Summer) or Whyalla (Winter) by Cutty’s Tours, $100 Melba's Chocolates Voucher.

Eyre Peninsula Coast - PADI Open Water Dive Course with Whyalla Dive Shop, Scubapro dive bag, Diving Adelaide mask & snorkel.

Aerial Coast - Voucher for Bayside Glamping - eco-luxury escape in Marion Bay.

Yorke Peninsula Coast- Prize TBA

Kangaroo Island Coast- Prize TBA

Video Clip - Prize TBA

Mixed Medium - Prize TBA

Judge’s Choice – prize to be announced

People’s Choice – prize to be announced

More prizes to be announced soon

Entries will be assessed by a panel of respected photographers, artists, marine scientists, and community practitioners with strong connections to South Australia’s coast. Works will be judged on creativity, storytelling, technical quality, and their ability to reflect reef resilience, connection to place, and the themes of the competition. Judges’ decisions are final.

The finalist works will be showcased in a week-long exhibition at the Port Noarlunga Arts Centre, a key hub for the SA dive and arts community.

The launch night includes:
• Awards for category winners
• A short cinematic film produced in house by GSRF
• A panel discussion with divers, artists, educators, and scientists
• Live music and a chance to reconnect with the coastal community
• Teacher professional development session (4:30–5:30pm)