A camel drinking in the desert – photographed from beneath the water? Dueling wrasse fish in Japan? Just two of the stunning, unexpected images from this year’s competition.
ADVERTISEMENTThe Underwater Photographer of the Year is back!
The competition spans 13 different categories, pushing photographers from around the world to capture the magic of the underwater world – from intricate macro details to dramatic wide-angle scenes.
With a record-breaking 7,000 submissions from over 600 photographers, this year’s contest highlights the growing fascination with underwater visual storytelling.
This year, Spanish photographer Álvaro Herrero has won the overall Underwater Photographer of the Year 2025 title with his mesmerising shot titled “Radiant Bond” – showing a heartwarming glimpse into the world of a mother humpback whale and her newborn calf.
Judges praised Herrero’s winning image for its perfect composition, masterful lighting, and ability to capture an extraordinary moment in nature.
“The light coming from the left upper corner as well as the perfect movement of the Humpback whale and calf, in addition to the excellent framing and composition make this a truly deserved overall winner for the UPY 2025 contest,” says Tobias Friedrich, one of the UPY’s judges.
Below, take a dive into a selection of the winning images from this year’s competition:
