Stunning Winning Photos from the 2025 Underwater Photographer of the Year

Underwater Photographer of the Year 2025: “Radiant Bond” by Alvaro Herrero, Spain

The 2025 Underwater Photographer of the Year contest unveiled a breathtaking collection of award-winning images, capturing the beauty and mystery beneath the waves.

With the largest-ever number of entries from 30 countries, the competition showcased mesmerizing marine life and surreal underwater scenes. Beyond wildlife shots, the winning photographs included Olympic athletes gliding through pools, camels viewed from inside a water butt, and an astonishing shipwreck over 100 meters deep, offering a unique glimpse into the fascinating underwater world.

More: Underwater Photographer of the Year, Instagram

Up & Coming Underwater Photographer of the Year 2025: “Aurora Underwater” by Ruruka

‘Save Our Seas Foundation’ Marine Conservation Photographer of the Year 2025: “1 / 200.000.000” by Robert Marc Lehmann

British Underwater Photographer of the Year 2025: “The Curious Seal” by David Alpert

Most Promising British Underwater Photographer 2025: “Fluo Spiny Squat Lobster” by James Lynott

Wide Angle, Runner Up: “Ethereal Moonscape” by Alvaro Herrero

Macro, Winner: “Magic backlit” by Paolo Bondaschi, Italy

Macro, Runner Up: “Dazzling Donut Doto” by Bryan H. Blauvelt, USA

Wrecks, Winner: “Deep wreck” by Alex Dawson, Sweden

Wrecks, Runner Up: “Deep Sea Birds” by Wojciech Dopierala, Poland

Behaviour, Winner: “Face Off” by Shunsuke Nakano, Japan

Behaviour, Runner Up: “The Moment” by Eduardo Acevedo, Spain

Portrait, Winner: “Hydration” by Abdulaziz Al Saleh, Kuwait

Portrait, Runner Up: “Amazon river dolphin silhouette’ by Hussain Aga Khan, Switzerland

Coral Reefs, Winner: “Kaleidoscope of Colour” by Catherine Holmes, UK

Coral Reefs, Runner Up: “Gardens of the Caribbean Reef Shark” by Jenny Stock, UK

Black & White, Winner: “Chasing Dolphins” by Enric Gener, Spain

Black & White, Runner Up: “Water Zen” by James Rokop, USA

Up & Coming, Runner Up: “Clost encounters of the giant kind” by Christian Hut, Singapore

Compact, Winner: “The Beauty of the Swamp” by Bryant Turffs, USA

Compact, Runner Up: “Giant Frogfish” by Enrico Somogyi, Germany

British Waters Wide Angle, Runner Up: “Curled octopus (Eledone cirrhosa) with soft coral” by Simon Temple, UK

British Waters Macro, Winner: “The Hitch Hiker” by Dan Bolt, UK

British Waters Living Together, Winner: “Rusty Haven” by Dan Bolt, UK

British Waters Living Together, Runner Up: “Take a Deep Breath” by Guy Trees, UK

Save our Seas, Runner Up: “Boat Strike Victim” by Henley Spiers, UK