The Eastern Mediterranean Sea (EMS) is an ultra-oligotrophic, enclosed basin strongly impacted by regional and global anthropogenic stressors. Here, we describe the annual (2018-19) dynamics of phyto- and bacterioplankton (abundances, pigments and productivity) in relation to the physical and chemical conditions in the photic water column at the offshore EMS water (Station THEMO-2, ~1,500m depth, 50km offshore). Annual patterns in phytoplankton biomass (as chlorophyll a), primary and bacterial productivity differed between the mixed winter (January-April) and the thermally stratified (May-December) periods. Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus numerically dominated the picophytoplankton populations, with each clade revealing different temporal and depth patterns, while pico-eukaryotes (primarily haptophytes) were less abundant, yet likely contributed significant biomass. Integrated primary productivity (~32 gC m-2 y-1) was lower compared with other well-studied oligotrophic locations, including the north Atlantic and Pacific (HOT and BATS observatories), the western Mediterranean (DYFAMED observatory) and the Red Sea, and was on-par with the ultra-oligotrophic South Pacific Gyre. In contrast, integrated bacterial production (~11 gC m-2 y-1) was similar to other oligotrophic locations. Phytoplankton seasonal dynamics were reminiscent of those at BATS and the Red Sea, suggesting an observable effect of winter mixing in this ultra-oligotrophic location. These results highlight the ultra-oligotrophic conditions in the EMS and provide, for the first time in this region, a full-year baseline and context to ocean observatories in the region.