Incredible winners of the 2025 Underwater Photographer of the Year awards

From thirsty camels and curious seals, to stealthy sharks and ocean-floor discoveries, these photos have been recognised as some of winners of the 2025 Underwater Photographer of the Year awards. 

More than 6,700 photos were entered into this year's competition by photographers from 28 countries, with the contest capturing all that lies beneath the surface of oceans, lakes and rivers around the world. 

The winner of this year's prestigious overall Underwater Photographer of the Year prize is Alvaro Herrero for his mesmerising shot of the "special relationship between a mother humpback whale and her newborn calf". 

Competition judge Peter Rowlands says of the winning photo, "This delicate yet powerful study of a mother and calf’s bond says all that is great and good about our world. We face our challenges, but the increasing populations of humpback whales worldwide shows what can be achieved."

Image credits: Underwater Photographer of the Year Awards