There is an undeniable poetry to underwater photography—the silent choreography of light and shadow, the ephemeral dance of marine creatures, and the steady patience of photographers who dive into the abyss, seeking moments that transcend time. The winners of the 2025 Underwater Photographer of the Year competition offer not just images but windows into the secret lives of the ocean.

From the warm, cerulean waters of French Polynesia to the eerie depths of Mexican cenotes, these photographs encapsulate the fragile, exquisite world beneath the waves.

A Tender Moment Wins Top Honors

Spanish photographer Alvaro Herrero emerged as this year’s champion with a poignant depiction of a mother humpback whale guiding her calf to the surface for a breathing lesson. The photograph, taken in the crystalline waters of French Polynesia, is a meditation on nurture and survival, on instinct and teaching, all captured in a split second of light and motion.

Competition judge Alex Mustard praised the image’s depth, both literal and figurative. “The interplay of light, shadow, and space gives the subjects a grace that feels almost sculptural. This is storytelling at its finest—intimate yet grand, familiar yet otherworldly.”

Emerging Talent: Ruruka’s Vision of an Underwater Aurora

The Up & Coming Underwater Photographer of the Year, Ruruka, captivated judges with an ethereal composition from a Mexican cenote, where diffused light transforms the cavern into an aquatic dreamscape. Titled Underwater Aurora, the image is a masterclass in using natural light to sculpt an environment into something surreal, yet undeniably real.

For me, photography is about chasing the impossible—capturing the way light and water conspire to create moments that feel magical.

– Ruruka shares.

The Mesmerizing Rituals of Marine Life

Spanish photographer Enric Gener’s black-and-white image of a pod of bottlenose dolphins in the Red Sea captures an intimate courtship display, a rare and dynamic spectacle of nature. The photograph, taken during a freediving expedition, freezes a moment of fluid motion—males in synchronized pursuit of a female, their movements at once playful and instinct-driven.

Reefs of Color and the Fight for Their Survival

Catherine Holmes’ Kaleidoscope of Colour, taken in the marine sanctuary of Raja Ampat, is a vibrant homage to coral reefs—an ecosystem both resplendent and endangered. Swirling baitfish weave through the corals, a visual reminder of the interconnectedness of marine life and the urgent need for conservation.

I wanted to create a portrait of the reef as it should be—alive, bursting with color, teeming with movement. It’s both a celebration and a call to action.

– Says Holmes.

An Ode to the Ocean’s Fragile Majesty

UPY (Underwater Photographer of the Year) is the world’s most prestigious underwater photography competition. The tradition began in 1965 when British photographer Phil Smith was named the first-ever Underwater Photographer of the Year. Now in its 60th year, the modern UPY continues to honor this legacy, attracting entries from every corner of the globe. The competition’s results are celebrated and promoted by mainstream media worldwide, and this year’s winners only reinforce its significance.

Each of these winning images speaks to the delicate balance of life below the surface. They remind us that photography is more than documentation—it is an act of bearing witness, of storytelling, of advocacy. As climate change, overfishing, and pollution threaten these underwater worlds, competitions like this do more than celebrate excellence; they demand our attention, our awe, and most of all, our action.

For those who gaze upon these images and find themselves moved, the next step is clear: protect what remains, before these breathtaking scenes become mere memories of a world lost beneath the waves.