International Waters: Silver. "Big Stretch". Location: Antarctica by Sam Blount. //The winners and runners-up from the the Underwater Awards Australasia 2026. The results of the photographic competition were announced Saturday (5/9). Nine category winners were chosen from hundreds of photo and video entries.
By Dean Murray
A seal close-up and a juvenile whale shark surrounded by divers feature among winners and runners-up in the Underwater Awards Australasia 2026.
The results of the photographic competition were announced on Saturday, Sept. 5, with nine category winners chosen from hundreds of photo and video entries.
Portfolio: Gold. "The Invisible"by Giacomo Marchione. Location: Anilao, Batangas, Philippines. (Giacomo Marchione/Underwater Awards Australia via SWNS)
Tough TG: Gold. "Anemone Tenant" by Qian Kun. Location: Romblon, Philippines. (Qian Kun/Underwater Awards Australia via SWNS)
Underwater photographers from around the world submitted entries captured in the region, along with those from international waters.
Highlights of the contest included incredible close-up views of a Bryde's whale in Mexico's Magdalena Bay, a sea turtle in Florida and a leopard seal in Antarctica.
Another impressive scene sees two bottlenose dolphins working together to herd a tightly packed school of parrotfish, while the effects of wildlife tourism are documented as a juvenile whale shark is surrounded by divers off Koh Tao, Thailand.
Australian: Gold. "Coastal Hunters" by Jake Wilton. Location: Ningaloo Reef, Wash. (Jake Wilton/Underwater Awards Australia via SWNS)
Contest organizers said:
"The competition called for passionate underwater shooters from around the world to submit their most captivating and compelling images and videos from the Australasian region.
"Shooters were invited to immerse themselves in the challenge of capturing the essence of this extraordinary realm, where every frame tells a story of the delicate balance and breathtaking beauty that characterizes our oceans."
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