Two bottlenose dolphins herd parrotfish in coordinated motion, showcasing underwater photo competition winners.

Dive into the Depths: $70,000 in Prizes Awarded at Underwater Photo Competition in Australia

2026-09-06

The Underwater Awards Australasia has captivated the marine photography community with its latest contest, showcasing extraordinary talent across Oceania. This year’s event boasted a prize pool of 70,000 Australian dollars ($50,000), drawing entries from photographers eager to capture the ocean’s hidden wonders.

The Excitement of the Image Showcase

The standout award, “Best of Show,” was clinched by Kat dos Remedios for the mesmerizing short film ‘Dragon,’ which excelled in the Reels Showcase category. This competition also highlighted other winners such as Annika Dahlberg for Conservation, Talia Greis representing Sydney, and Jake Wilton for Australian waters. The talent extended beyond borders with Simone Caprodossi securing the International Waters category. Portfolio recognition went to Giacomo Marchione, while Enrico Somogyi conquered the Smartphone/Action Cam category. Qian Kun triumphed in the Tough TG, with Tom Healy for Only Water.

Clownfish faces the camera with a dive boat in the background. — The photographer’s dive boat looms in the background as this clownfish glowers at the camera. Winner of the Tough TG category. | Photo by Qian Kun

The winners were unveiled on September 5 during the Go Diving Show ANZ in Sydney, Australia. The event offered attendees an exhibition of high-quality metal prints, presenting the finalists’ breathtaking images in stunning detail.

If you’re fascinated by breathtaking photography, explore Roeselien Raimond’s stunning wildlife photography for more incredible nature captures.

Clingfish rides a weedy seadragon, showcasing clingers of the sea. — A clingfish rides on the back of a weedy seadragon. Clingfish are considered the ‘clingers of the sea,’ and often attach themselves to rocks, kelp, reefs, and occasionally animals, using a suction disc formed from modified pelvic fins. Their relationship with their host is purely commensal, using the host to travel and hide from predation. Winner of the Sydney category. | Photo by Talia Greis

The contest is orchestrated by DivePhotoGuide (DPG), Underwater Australasia, and UW Images. For those eager to explore these aquatic vistas, visit the competition’s website for more insights into the winning works.