Since 1965, the annual Underwater Photography of the Year awards have recognized the best images captured beneath the waves. This year’s entries range from haunting to humorous, and every shot comes with its own story.
The competition divides entrants into a dozen categories. There is also an overall winner.
My favorite category, of course, is “Wrecks.” The talented Swedish photographer Alex Dawson took this year’s winner in that category and was last year’s overall winner. He dove 104m to capture this decaying ship, resting on a coral bed and haloed by a school of fish.
Alex Dawson spent almost half an hour underwater to find the right shot. Photo: UPY2025/Alex Dawson
If you’re more in the mood for marine life, the Behavior category showcases the wettest animals on our planet. The winner, from Japanese photographer Shunsuke Nakano, features a pair of male Asian sheepshead wrasse fighting. The larger, left, is the “king,” defending his harem from the young challenger.
This photograph was the only one Shunsuke Nakano was able to take, making its perfect timing even more impressive. Photo: UPY2025/Shunsuke Nakano
Categories focusing on conservation issues present the often fraught interaction between people and marine life.
The British Waters Living Together winner below shows “nature’s ability to make the best of a bad situation,” says photographer Dan Bolt, who called the image “Rusty Haven.”
The chain and anchor blocks of a small barge form an ecosystem. Photo: UPY2025/Dan Bolt
But the overall winner is an absolute classic of the genre. Alvaro Herrero framed a mother humpback whale and her calf rising to the surface.
Judges called this a perfectly executed ‘classic’ shot. Photo: UPY2025/Alvaro Herrero
Last year’s winner also featured whales. It’s hard to beat the particularly striking majesty of a good whale image.
You can view the complete collection at the competition’s official gallery.
