Best Underwater Photos of 2026 Capture Life Beneath the Waves
The results of the Underwater Photographer of the Year 2026 competition have officially been revealed, highlighting some of the most striking images captured beneath the water’s surface. The UK-based contest focuses on underwater photography in all its forms, welcoming scenes from oceans, lakes, rivers, and even swimming pools.
Each year, it attracts photographers eager to showcase life and moments rarely seen by most people. For the 2026 edition, the competition received 7,934 entries from photographers representing 28 different countries.
The submissions were divided across 14 categories, covering a wide range of underwater subjects and techniques. Among them were Macro photography, which highlights tiny marine details; wide-angle images capturing vast underwater environments; Behaviour shots documenting animal interactions; and Wreck photography focusing on sunken ships and underwater history.
The overall winner of this year’s contest is Australian photographer Matty Smith. His photograph, titled Rockpool Rookies, features a charming group of Southern elephant seal pups playing in a rockpool in the Falkland Islands.
The image stood out for its warmth, composition, and the sense of curiosity captured in the young seals, ultimately earning the top honor among thousands of competing photographs.
The awards ceremony was held in central London and hosted by The Crown Estate. The judging panel consisted of well-known figures in underwater photography: Peter Rowlands, Tobias Friedrich, and Dr. Alex Mustard MBE, all respected for their work documenting marine environments.
Together, the winning photographs reveal a fascinating view of life below the surface, from delicate marine creatures to dramatic underwater landscapes.
Portrait, Category Winner And Underwater Photographer Of The Year 2026: Rockpool Rookies By Matty Smith
Portrait, Runner Up: Screaming Swallower By Steven Kovacs
Portrait, 3rd Place: White Spirits By Merche Llobera
Behaviour, 3rd Place: Egg Clutcher By Anton Sorokin
Coral Reefs, Category Winner: Underwater Meteor Shower By Dr. Tom Shlesinger
Coral Reefs, 3rd Place: Veiled In Vibrance By Neil Rosewarn
Behaviour, Runner Up: Together We Can! By Ventura Romero
Wide Angle, Winner: Happy Baby By Cecile Gabillon Barats
British Waters Macro, Category Winner: Mum By Tom Ingram
Compact, Category Winner: Alpine Lookout By Andrea Michelutti
Compact, 3rd Place: Natural Barriers By Rémi Conte\
Macro, Runner Up: Jaws By Fabian Becker
Smartphone, Category Winner: The Roar By Jack Ho
Up & Coming, Category Winner And Up & Coming Underwater Photographer Of The Year 2026: Lunging Leopard By Sam Blount
Coral Reefs, Runner Up: Sunset Patrol By Renee Capozzola
Macro, Category Winner: Calm At The Heart Of Turmoil By Seongcheol Cho
Macro, 3rd Place: Simon Theuma
Wide Angle, Runner Up: Chamber Of Life By Jinny Kim
British Waters Wide Angle, Category Winner: A Meeting Of Giants By Evan Johnston
British Waters Wide Angle, Runner Up: Dusk Encounter By Kirsty Andrews
Black & White, Category Winner: Coral Window By Shunsuke Nakano
Behaviour, Category Winner: Clownfish Hatchout By Kazushige Horiguchi
Wrecks, Runner Up: Living Wreck By Jean-Baptiste Cazajous
'save Our Seas Foundation' Marine Conservation, 3rd Place: Rescued And Rehabilitated At Cestha By Ilaria Mariaguilia Rizzuto
British Waters Macro, 3rd Place: New Life By Dan Bolt
British Waters Wide Angle, 3rd Place: Hold On Tight! By Billy Arthur
Smartphone, 3rd Place: Intertidal World By Martin Stevens
Compact, Runner Up: Veins Of The Earth By Manuel Wüthrich
Up & Coming, Runner Up: Dancing With Light By Khaichuin Sim
Wrecks, 3rd Place: Silent Heart By Atsushi Hori
Up & Coming, Category Highly Commended And Most Promising British Underwater Photographer 2026: Crowded House By Natalie Yarrow
'save Our Seas Foundation' Marine Conservation, Runner Up: Get Me Outta Here! By Ross Makulec
British Waters Macro, Runner Up: Riding The Storm By Sandra Stalker
Black & White, 3rd Place: Power And Pace By David Alpert
Smartphone, Runner Up: The Curious Gaze Of Grey Shark By Clotxa
Up & Coming, 3rd Place: Shared Time By Jinny Kim
Wrecs, Category Winner: The Guns Of The Nagato By Niclas Andersson
Wide Angle, 3rd Place: Halocline By Alex Dawson
Black & White, Runner Up: Silver-Tone Seductress By John Pfisterer
Underwater Photographer of the Year 2026 once again shows how much beauty exists beneath the surface of our planet. From playful elephant seal pups in the Falkland Islands to dramatic scenes captured across oceans and lakes, this year’s winning images highlight both creativity and patience behind the camera.
The competition continues to bring attention to the hidden world underwater and the photographers dedicated to revealing it.
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