The 2025 Underwater Photographer of the Year awards showcase breathtaking images of marine life, with winners capturing stunning moments from beneath the waves, highlighting beauty and conservation efforts.

 

This startling image was taken in the giant kelp forests of the Falkland Islands by American photographer Patrick Webster, who describes them as 'among the lushest algal amphitheatres anywhere in the coldwater world'. In front of the lens is an 'exuberant' male South American sea lion. The judges remarked: 'Such a quality portrait! It made every one of us smile when we saw the image. Excellent capture by the photographer and very well lit.' The photo claims third in the Portrait category

 

The 2025 Underwater Photographer of the Year awards have just been concluded, and the stunning array of winning images is nothing short of breathtaking.

With more than 6,700 entries from 28 countries, this year’s competition has spotlighted the beauty, mystery, and fragility of the underwater world.

From intimate moments between sea creatures to powerful conservation messages, the awarded photographs capture the wonders beneath the waves, offering viewers a chance to experience the ocean like never before.

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The grand prize, awarded to Spanish photographer Alvaro Herrero, features a captivating wide-angle shot of a humpback whale and her calf, taken in the serene waters of French Polynesia.

Herrero described the photo as representing the profound bond between mother and child, communicating both the fragility and beauty of our oceans.

This image exemplified the delicate relationship between marine life and the environment, which has been increasingly threatened by human activities.

The image was praised by judges for its emotional depth, beautifully capturing the essence of nature and motherhood, qualities that resonate with audiences beyond the world of underwater photography.

 

Behold 'The Scream', an image of a sponge 'with an almost human appearance' taken by Italian photographer Pietro Cremone in Bunaken Marine Park in Indonesia. The picture is commended in the Black & White categoryThis spellbinding image, titled 'On Approach', was taken by German veterinarian Ronja Arnold in the deep waters of Fakarava Atoll in French Polynesia. She writes: 'While laying flat down in an underwater cave at a depth of 30 metres, I managed to take this picture of two grey sharks approaching me in almost perfect symmetry, making it look like a scene straight from a science fiction movie.' Her image is commended in the UP & Coming category, with the judges praising its 'graphic simplicity'

 

Among the many remarkable entries, one of the most unique and playful shots came from Japanese photographer Shunsuke Nakano, whose photo titled “Face Off” won the Behavior award.

This image depicts two male Asian sheepshead wrasse “jousting” over spawning rights, showcasing an intense but fascinating behavior during their breeding season.

Nakano, who has captured various marine life interactions in his career, revealed that the fish in the photograph form harems and claim territories, with one of the fish being over 30 years old.

The photo stood out for its dynamic energy and the sense of competition it captured, drawing attention to the fascinating behaviors that play out in the marine ecosystem.

Another standout image, “The Scream”, taken by Italian photographer Pietro Cremone, was highly commended in the Black & White category.

The photo, which showcases a sponge with an almost human-like appearance, was taken in Indonesia’s Bunaken Marine Park.

Its stark contrast and haunting expression caught the eye of judges, sparking discussion about the diversity and complexity of underwater life.

The image reflected not only the visual beauty of the ocean’s smaller creatures but also the power of creative interpretation in underwater photography.

 

This shot, taken in Cancun by Korean photographer Ruruka, is titled 'Shower of Light' and is highly commended in the UP & Coming category. The photographer reveals that the picture is 'the result of a lot of patience', with the judges describing it as 'exquisite'The judges describe this shot, by French photographer Jean-Baptiste Cazajous, as a 'classic image'. Called 'In the Tornado', it shows a school of fish swirling around the wreck of coal transport ship Togo, which was sunk in 1918 by a mine explosion in the bay of Cavalaire-Sur-Mer. The picture is highly commended in the wrecks category

 

In the Portrait category, Kuwaiti photographer Abdulaziz Al Saleh took home the top honor with his image of “drinking camels” in the Al Wafra desert in Kuwait.

Using an underwater fisheye lens, Al Saleh captured the camels drinking water, a behavior they were initially hesitant to do with the camera submerged.

After several attempts, the camels grew accustomed to the equipment, resulting in a stunning shot that beautifully displayed the interaction between the animals and their environment.

Further adding to the competition’s diversity, U.S. photographer Autumn Martin earned third place in the Up & Coming category for her mesmerizing photo of a nudibranch in Bali, Indonesia.

Martin’s dedication to capturing the perfect image is evident in the persistence she showed during multiple dives.

Her patience paid off as she finally succeeded in photographing the tiny creature in focus, with the image earning praise for its clarity and delicate beauty.

 

This entertaining photo, taken by Shunsuke Nakano from Japan, is titled 'Face Off' and shows two male Asian sheepshead wrasse in Japan 'jousting over spawning rights'. The fish 'form harems and claim territories during the breeding season' and 'the harem king' on the right of this image is thought to be over 30 years old, explains Nakano. The photo wins the Behaviour award

 

In the Wrecks category, Swedish photographer Alex Dawson won first place for his striking image of the Gulf Fleet No 31 wreck in Egypt.

Captured underwater, Dawson’s photograph showed the ship wedged between a reef wall, revealing a natural swim-through under the wreck.

The composition highlighted the intricate relationship between human-made structures and marine ecosystems, offering a unique perspective on submerged historical sites.

For those who appreciate the vibrancy of coral reefs, British photographer Catherine Holmes won the Coral Reefs category with a stunning image taken in Raja Ampat, Indonesia.

Holmes described the area as a magical destination, where the colors and biodiversity overwhelm the senses.

Her shot of schooling baitfish swirling around the coral was praised for its visual impact, capturing the full splendor of one of the most biodiverse marine environments on Earth.

 

A runner-up in the wide-angle category, this incredible photo of a diver in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula was taken by Spanish photographer Alvaro Herrero. Herrero used a rebreather (which recycles air) while diving to capture this shot, explaining 'by not emitting bubbles, we help protect the features of the cave and disturb far fewer particles, which is particularly advantageous when photographing less-frequented spots'

 

Meanwhile, in the British Waters Living Together category, UK photographer Dan Bolt received acclaim for his image of a crab interacting with an iron block and heavy chain in Loch Carron, Scotland.

Bolt’s photo showcases nature’s ability to adapt and thrive, even in challenging conditions. The submerged barge, holding scallop diving equipment, has turned into a floating reef system, attracting a variety of species.

Bolt’s thoughtful composition highlights the hidden beauty of everyday objects in the ocean, drawing attention to the resilience of marine life.

In the Up & Coming category, Korean photographer Jeungyul Park clinched first place with an impressive image taken in Cancun, Mexico.

The photo’s unique perspective and composition made it stand out, with Park working closely with a local guide to capture the perfect shot in the rainy summer season.

This win marks an important step in Park’s growing career in underwater photography, demonstrating her potential in the industry.

 

This captivating image of a bass shoal was taken by British photographer Rick Ayrton on a dive at the Eddystone Reef off the coast of Plymouth, Devon. Ayrton says: 'I think the swirling kelp fronds help to set the scene and the diagonal direction of the fish creates a pleasing composition.' The photo picks up third place in the British Waters Wide Angle category

 

Perhaps the most poignant photograph came from German photographer Robert Marc Lehmann, who won the Save Our Seas Marine Conservation Photographer of the Year award.

His heartbreaking image of a captured tiger shark in Indonesia highlighted the dangers that sharks face due to human activity.

The photograph’s emotional impact is a stark reminder of the environmental challenges that continue to threaten marine species worldwide.

The 2025 Underwater Photographer of the Year competition is a reminder of the incredible diversity of life beneath the surface and the need for continued conservation efforts.

These stunning images not only highlight the skill and artistry of photographers but also serve as a call to protect the fragile ecosystems that make our planet unique.

The winning photos, from playful fish to hauntingly beautiful underwater portraits, showcase the wonders of our oceans and the urgent need to preserve them for future generations.

 

Coming third in the Wide Angle category, this fun shot taken by Dutch photographer Joost van Uffelen captures feeding mantas in the Maldives. Van Uffelen says: 'While the mantas happily filled their bellies, surrounded by schools of mackerel, a small window opened to shoot them stacked upon each other in a beautiful feeding train'Swedish photographer Alex Dawson wins the Wrecks category with this captivating shot of the Gulf Fleet No 31 wreck in Egypt. Dawson explains: 'When she sank, she got wedged between the reef wall and a small reef, so there is a swim-through under the wreck'

 

 

The winner of the Up & Coming category, this incredible shot was taken by Korean photographer Jeungyul Park in Cancun, Mexico. Park says: 'To capture this particular photo, I visited during the rainy summer season and worked with a local Korean guide as my model'

 

This mesmerising photo was taken by Autumn Martin from the U.S. in Bali, Indonesia, and was the photographer's first time taking a camera underwater. It places third in the Up & Coming category. Martin says 'my goal was to get a tiny nudibranch in focus' and 'by the fifth dive I finally spotted this perfect little creature'

 

 

Swedish photographer Alex Dawson comes third in the Wrecks category with this snap of the Kas Coast Guard SG115 shipwreck in Turkey. The wreck lies 35m/114ft below the surface