Articles

Mobula rays gather in enormous schools at Los Cabos, Mexico
 

Khaichuin Sim is a Malaysian photographer whose work explores both the diversity and vulnerability of the ocean. With more than 15 years of experience in both land and underwater photography, he combines a strong visual style with a clear commitment to marine conservation. His carefully composed images do more than showcase the ocean’s beauty; they create an emotional connection between the viewer and the ocean.

One of Khaichuin’s most notable projects documented the highly controversial pilot whale hunt in the Faroe Islands. By photographing this gut-wrenching tradition, he encouraged viewers to consider the complex relationship between people, culture, and marine ecosystems. The work earned him the title “Save Our Seas Foundation Marine Conservation Photographer of the Year” at the Underwater Photographer of the Year competition in 2026.

A seasoned traveler who has visited well over 60 countries across six continents, Khaichuin has a particular fondness for the waters of his home country of Malaysia, from documenting the lives of Bajau “sea gypsies” off Semporna to capturing an epic fish school near Sipadan Island. His work has been published on renowned websites and in prestigious magazines including the BBC, Animal Planet, Lonely Planet, and National Geographic.

Whether capturing coral reefs or confronting environmental damage, Khaichuin’s imagery balances artistic beauty with an urgent message: Marine environments need greater understanding and protection.
 

Soft corals on mangrove roots, Raja Ampat, Indonesia
 

A hairy frogfish in the Lembeh Strait, Indonesia
 

A freediver clings to the roof of the airplane wreck at Lang Tengah Island, Malaysia
 

A green turtle takes shelter under a table coral at Sipadan Island, Malaysia
 

A freediver hovers above a pod of sperm whales at Mauritius
 

A freediver diving into a huge school of jackfish off Sipadan Island, Malaysia
 

British sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor’s underwater work “Nest” off Gili Meno, Indonesia
 

A pair of clownfish guard their eggs attached to a rock inside a vibrant anemone off Dumaguete, Philippines
 

A Bajau mother and child in a canoe at their floating village home in Semporna, Malaysia
 

A pod of pilot whales at Los Cabos, Mexico
 

The annual pilot whale hunt in the Faroe Islands known as grindadráp
 

Khaichuin Sim
 

For more of Khaichuin Sim’s stunning images, check out his website, www.khaichuinsim.com, or visit his Facebook or Instagram pages.