James Ferrera’s putting shot of an open-mouthed leopard seal has been voted because the winner of the Underwater Awards Australasia 2025 by the competitors’s organisers, DivePhotoGuide (DPG), UW Photos, and Underwater Australasia.
The winners of the second version of the underwater pictures and videography competitors had been introduced on stage over the weekend on the Go Diving Present ANZ in Sydney, Australia.
Entrants competed in 9 classes for prizes value greater than AU$70,000 in complete, together with dive journeys with among the world’s prime resorts and liveaboards, in addition to the most recent underwater photograph and video gear.
The celebrated judging panel comprised photograph judges Tobias Friedrich, Jayne Jenkins, Matty Smith, Tanya Houppermans, Scott Portelli and William Tan; and video judges Philip Hamilton and Ross Lengthy.
The Better of Present accolade went to James Ferrara’s leopard seal photograph, winner of the Worldwide Waters class.
Different class winners comprise Vadim Belakhov (Sharks), Neil Vincent (Conservation), Talia Greis (Sydney), Marcia Riederer (Australian), Jake Wilton (Portfolio), Luciano Morales Corinaldesi (Smartphone/Motion Cam), Imogen Manins (Robust TG), and Laura Gourgas (Reels Showcase).
The highest photographs in every class are proven beneath – all of the winners, honourable mentions and runners-up might be discovered at UnderwaterAwards.com.
Finest in Present and Winner, Worldwide Waters Class
‘Broad Open’, by James Ferrera, USA
The story: In the case of photographic topics in Antarctica, the leopard seal sits on the prime of my listing. Recognized for his or her mixture of curiosity and aggression, they’re a dream topic for any underwater photographer.
Whereas these highly effective predators typically relaxation on ice floes to preserve power after a giant meal, I used to be lucky sufficient to spend time within the water with this one.
At first, it was standoffish, conserving its distance, however because the encounter progressed, it turned more and more curious. By the top, it was opening its mouth and flashing its enamel—a transparent show of dominance, a reminder of who’s in cost!
Although I felt a jolt of nerves, the fun of experiencing my dream situation saved me centered, current, and completely in awe.
Location: Antarctica
Shot with: Sony α7R Mark V, Nauticam housing, 2x ONEUW ONE 160X Mark II strobes; 1/250s, f/5.6, ISO 800
Winner, Australian Class
Minke Magnificence, by Marcia Riederer, Australia
The story: The ocean is calm, I cling to the mermaid line trailing behind the boat. Then, from the blue, a shadow begins to kind. It grows bigger, clearer—glossy grey pores and skin, a white blaze on the aspect—and all of the sudden I’m staring into the attention of a dwarf minke whale.
It doesn’t rush. As an alternative, it glides in a sluggish, deliberate arc, as if weighing me up. I keep nonetheless. The whale attracts nearer, its presence filling the water round me. For a second, I’m wondering, am I observing it, or is it learning me?
Scientists nonetheless don’t know why minkes method people, however it seems like we’re each merely inquisitive about one another. It’s a uncommon and humbling privilege to share house with such a outstanding creature, a reminder that the ocean is filled with wonders and we should always take higher care of it.
Location: Ribbon Reefs, Nice Barrier Reef, QLD
Shot with: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, Nauticam housing, pure gentle; 1/200s, f/7.1, ISO 500
Winner, Conservation class,
Crocodile and Plastic Bottle, by Neil Vincent, Australia
The story: Whereas watching the crocodiles catch diamond-backed mullet at Cahill Crossing, Arnhem Land, NT, a vacationer on the financial institution threw a water bottle into the water close to a crocodile.
Reflexively, it snapped on the bottle, crushed it a few instances, after which swallowed it. Within the warmth of the hunt, crocodiles don’t perceive plastic water bottles.
I nonetheless don’t perceive why folks use plastic water bottles – and I actually don’t perceive the stupidity of individuals!
Location: Kakadu Nationwide Park, NT, Australia
Shot with: Nikon D850; 1/2000s, f/8, ISO 560
Winner, Portfolio Class
Ningaloo, a Dwelling Tapestry, by Jake Wilton, Australia
The story: This portfolio showcases a sequence of extraordinary moments from Ningaloo Reef, Australia’s largest fringing reef and one of many world’s richest marine ecosystems.
A manta ray glides by way of a residing veil of education fish within the shallow lagoon; a freediver drifts among the many haunting stays of a whale skeleton resting on the seafloor; and a southern large petrel – a uncommon customer from the Antarctic – swoops in to examine the digital camera, including an surprising encounter removed from its traditional vary.
On the sand flats, a tiger shark patrols with quiet precision, attempting to find unsuspecting prey and in Coral Bay, spangled emperors college tightly above the coral gardens, captured in a putting above-and-below perspective.
In deeper waters, a whale shark strikes by way of a dense baitball, reliant on sooner predators like tuna and sharks to interrupt it aside.
Collectively, these six photos reveal the variety, vitality, and uncooked drama of Ningaloo. Every body displays not solely the abundance of life that thrives right here but in addition the uncommon and fleeting interactions that make this reef a really outstanding place to discover and defend.
Location: Ninglaoo Reed, Western Australia
Shot with: Nikon Z7 II and Nikon D810; Aquatica housing.
Winner, Sharks Class
Sunbather within the Shallows, by Vadim Belakhov, Australia
The story: The Port Jackson shark (Heterodontus portusjacksoni) is an Australian endemic species discovered from southern Queensland to Tasmania and throughout to Western Australia.
Recognisable by their blunt heads and harness-like markings, these sharks are generally seen resting immobile in the course of the day, typically wedged between rocks or mendacity on algae-covered seabeds.
I encountered this particular person calmly resting in a shallow patch of vibrant inexperienced macroalgae, totally uncovered to the noon solar filtering by way of clear water. The scene felt unusually serene and visually putting. I approached slowly and took the shot. Ambient gentle outlined the tones, whereas my strobe stuffed in delicate element with out disturbing the pure temper.
These sharks pose no menace to people and infrequently permit a sluggish, cautious method, making them supreme topics for close-focus wide-angle pictures. This particular person remained completely nonetheless, seemingly unfazed by my presence.
Port Jackson sharks are nocturnal feeders, utilizing sturdy jaws and molar-like enamel to crush sea urchins, molluscs, and crustaceans. In winter, they return to the identical coastal websites to breed, and divers regularly encounter their distinctive spiral egg circumstances lodged in rocky crevices.
This picture displays the quiet fantastic thing about southern Australia’s ignored urban-adjacent marine life.
Location: Port Philip Bay, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Shot with: Olympus Robust TG-6, 2x Backscatter Hybrid Flash 1 (HF-1); 1/400s, f2.8, ISO 100
Winner, Smartphone/Motion Cam Class
Inexperienced Turtle Stack, by Luciano Morales Corinaldesi, Argentina
The story: Ningaloo Reef is a spot of infinite prospects, the place something and every part may seem. Nonetheless, nothing ready me for what unfolded in Lighthouse Bay, the place I’d simply visited a manta cleansing station.
On my means again throughout 500 metres of sand flats, I used to be surprised by the sight of three turtles stacked atop each other—a really unforgettable second.
Since mating might be taxing for females, I paid shut consideration to any indicators of disturbance and saved sufficient distance in order to not trigger misery.
How this story ended, I can’t say, however I’d prefer to assume that subsequent season, inexperienced turtle hatchlings may carry the sequel ahead.
Location: Lighthouse Bay, Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia
Shot with: GoPro HERO11; 1/350s, fr/2.5, ISO 163
Winner, Sydney Class
The Conductor, by Talia Greis, Australia
The story: A large cuttlefish drifts gracefully by way of the shallows of Shark Level, a surprising but demanding shore dive nestled in Clovelly.
These magnificent creatures make their seasonal debut in Sydney’s waters on the peak of winter, providing divers a uncommon probability to come across them in crystal-clear visibility amid a thriving marine ecosystem.
With moments like these, who must journey all the way in which to Whyalla?
Location: Shark Level, Sydney, New South Wales
Shot with: Sony α1, Isotta housing, 2x Inon Z-330 strobes; 1/100s, f/11, ISO 400
Winner, Robust TG Class
Mosely’s Glistening Brood, by Imogen Manins, Australia
The story: Referred to as ‘Mosely’ within the SeadragonSearch database, this weedy seadragon has returned to Flinders Pier every year since 2018 to court docket, mate, and carry a valuable brood of eggs.
On an early morning dive, I used to be delighted to come across this very relaxed and photogenic seadragon as soon as extra, his freshly positioned brood glistening as daylight streamed by way of the water.
On this picture, I wished to seize not solely Mosely but in addition the thick meadow of sea nymph (Amphibolis antarctica), which types such an vital a part of the habitat at Flinders.
Location: Flinders, Western Port Bay, Victoria, Australia
Shot with: Olympus Robust TG-6, Backscatter M52 Broad Angle Air Lens, 1x Backscatter MW-4300 gentle; 1/800s, f/2.8, ISO 100
Winner, Reels Class
The Coral Chain Response, by Laura Gourgas, Australia/France
The Story: The Ningaloo Reef has given me numerous unforgettable moments, however few evaluate to witnessing the annual coral spawning.
Being within the water because the reef releases its tiny bundles of life is surreal—the ocean transforms into drifting clouds of color and motion, the power within the water shifts, and you may sense the reef awakening. That single occasion sparks a whole net of life.
Plankton blooms, krill collect, and shortly the giants arrive—whale sharks and oceanic mantas, drawn right here to feast. From turtles to reef sharks, and numerous different species, each a part of this ecosystem depends upon the coral as its basis.
This reel is a group of moments I’ve captured through the years, selecting these uncommon instances when the spawning, the feeding, and the lifetime of the reef all aligned. Regardless of current bleaching occasions, it’s a strong reminder of Ningaloo’s resilience—and why defending it’s so important.
Location: Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia
Shot with: Canon EOS R5 and Isotta housing; DJI Mavic 3 Professional
Head to the Underwater Australasia Competitors outcomes web page for the whole listing of winners and runners-up, and the prizes they’ve earned
