From dramatic aquatic encounters to deep caves to fish and amphibians clinging to their eggs, few of us get to truly see the entire world below the surface. That’s where the images in the annual Underwater Photographer of the Year (UPY) come into play, offering a glimpse into some of the planet’s darkest depths and most tantalizing and fragile ecosystems.
The top prize in the 2026 competition, held annually since 1965, was awarded to Matthew Smith, who captured two juvenile sea lions in the Falkland Islands. Other award-winning images include Natalie Yarrow’s footage of ambulatory shrimp in a pink sponge bucket, Khaichuin Sim’s observations of the Faroe Islands’ controversial annual whaling campaign, and Sam Blount’s dramatic encounter with a leopard seal.
UPY’s categories range from portraits to coral reefs to macro images, all of which emphasize the diversity, beauty and fragility of vast areas of our underwater world. We’ve shared some of our favorites here, but you can check out the entire gallery of winners on the UPY website and follow on Instagram for updates.
