Underwater Photographer of the Year 2022: The winning photos

2025-04-28 05:45:24admin

Marine scientists admit we've "barely scratched" the surface of the Earth's oceans, but patient, talented, fearless photographers give us a beautiful glimpse of it each year.

The winners of the annual Underwater Photographer of the Year competition have been announced, annually diving into the dark depths to introduce us to a world beneath the surface of oceans, pools, rivers, and lakes.

Celebrating underwater photography since 1965, the UK competition features 13 categories including wrecks, portrait, wide angle, macro, behaviour, and marine conservation.

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SEE ALSO: 20 underwater photos that illuminate creatures dwelling in the dark depths

This year's winner, beating 4,200 entries from 71 countries, is Spain's Rafael Fernandez Caballero with a stunning wide angle photograph of a shiver of whale sharks in the Maldives' Ari Atoll. "It was already incredible when one whale shark came to our boat,” said Fernandez in a press statement. "But more and more kept arriving. I was diving with Gador Muntaner, a shark researcher, who couldn’t believe it as their numbers grew. He counted 11 sharks that night — a once in a lifetime encounter that nobody thought was possible."

Head to the website to learn more about the stories behind these images, and enjoy the view below.

A shiver of whale sharks in Ari Atoll, Maldives.

Here's the winner: "Giants of the night" by Rafael Fernandez Caballero (Wide angle) Credit: Rafael Fernandez Caballero At Heron Island, Australia, a green sea turtle hatchling cautiously surfaces for air to a sky full of hungry birds.

At Heron Island, Australia, a green sea turtle hatchling cautiously surfaces for air to a sky full of hungry birds.

"Against All Odds" by Hannah Le Leu (Third, Wide angle) Credit: Hannah Le Leu Bannerfish swirl around a large stingray while sunlight dances behind.

"Sunset Ray" by Andy Schmid (Runner up, Wide angle) Credit: Andy Schmid The wreck of Tyrifjord, a ship

"At 40 meters the wreck of Tyrifjord rest in peace" by Alex Dawson (Winner, Wrecks) Credit: Alex Dawson Three frogs clinging to each other during a spawing.

Three frogs clinging to each other during a spawing.

"All You Need Is Love" by Pekka Tuuri (Winner, My Backyard) Credit: Pekka Tuuri A meeting of the seagrass shrimp and the seagrass pipefish, both in perfect focus.

A meeting of the seagrass shrimp and the seagrass pipefish, both in perfect focus.

"Mimicry" by Javier Murcia (Winner, Macro) Credit: Javier Murcia A Sea Gooseberry. The background colours represent the rust and weed growth on a metal cross beam.

A Sea Gooseberry. The background colours represent the rust and weed growth on a metal cross beam.

"Diamonds and Rust" by Paul Pettitt (Most Promising British Underwater Photographer) Credit: Paul Pettitt A spiny starfish in Cornwall.

"Rock pool star" by Martin Stevens. Credit: Martin Stevens A very close-up shot of a Great White Shark.

"Great white split" by Matty Smith (British Underwater Photographer of the Year) Credit: Matty Smith A small turtle tangled in plastic.

"Deadly reflections with a happy ending" by Rafael Fernandez Caballero. Credit: Rafael Fernandez Caballero An aerial perspective of busy anchovy fishing activities off the coast of Hon Yen, Phu Yen province.