It’s that time of year again, and we’re absolutely chuffed to announce the winners of the Northern Beaches Council’s fifth Underwater Photography Competition.

With the theme “Wonder: sustaining what sustains us”, photographers from all walks of life dived deep to capture the magic beneath the waves and remind us why our oceans matter.

This year’s overall winner, Nicole Sroba, takes home the prestigious Valerie Taylor Underwater Photography Award for Excellence 2025 for her shot, Hooked. For her effort, she went home with a stunning glass sculpture, Golden Sunset depicting the golden kelp found in Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve.

The judges praised her work for its creativity and heart.  

“This year’s theme—Wonder: sustaining what sustains us—is powerfully reflected in this image from North Harbour Aquatic Reserve. A vulnerable grey nurse shark glides through shafts of light, trailing fishing lines. Framed by pylons, the composition evokes both beauty and concern,” Judge and award-winning underwater photographer, Peter McGee said.

The People’s Choice Award was a crowd favourite, with voting open to the entire community. Congratulations to Xina Hudson, who won the hearts of our voters with her stunning Living Shield photograph.

Xina’s playful take on underwater life brought smiles and a sense of adventure to all who saw it—proof that sometimes, the most magical moments are the ones we share together.

With over 225 entries this year, the competition was more vibrant than ever, thanks to photographers of all ages and experience levels getting involved. From macro close-ups to action-packed behaviour shots, every submission was a celebration of our local marine world.

Drop by the Belgrave Cartel in Manly and check out the exhibition from Sunday 30 November to Sunday 7 December or view the winning images through Council’s website.

The exhibition promises a visual feast for ocean lovers, families and anyone keen for a bit of inspiration. Don’t miss your chance to marvel at the wonders captured by our talented community.

Overall - Valerie Taylor Underwater Photography Award for Excellence 2025

Winner  
Nicole Sroba (Hooked)

Winners in the 8 categories are:

1.    Behaviour: Capturing natural behaviour of marine life.

Winner
Peter Hutchins (The Chase)

Runner Up                                                                                               
Taj Burrows (Face Off)

High Commended                                                   
Xina Hudson (Living Shield)                                            

2.    Macro: Getting up close to the subject matter.

Winner
Alexander Gunter (Wandering Sea Anemone)      

Runner Up                          
Teya McEwan (Camouflage with a grin)                                              

Highly Commended
Taj Burrows (The Waiting Game)                                          

3.    Threatened Species: Portraying the vulnerability of a threatened species found, for example: black rod cod, grey nurse shark, green turtle.

Winner  
Nicole Sroba (Hooked)

Runner Up
Lesley Spencer (Wondrous Weedy Wanderings)                                                            

Highly Commended
Eddy Price (One of these things is not like the other)                            

4.    Human Connection: Capturing the positive or negative connection between a person(s) and marine life (flora / fauna / megafauna). This could include monitoring citizen science projects or research undertaken in one of the Northern Beaches aquatic reserves.

Winner
David Bellas (Reaching Out)                                            

Runner Up
Peter Hutchins (Wings of Resilience)                                                            

Highly Commended
Alana Abercrombie (Cuttlefish Paparazzi)                            

5.    Seascapes (wide angle): Capturing the raw beauty of the underwater vista in one of the Northern Beaches aquatic reserves.

Winner
David Bellas (Cuttlefish Pursuit)                                                  

Runner Up
Mark Endres (Ghost Fleet)                                          

Highly Commended
Strath Clarke (Cruising)                            

6.    Youth: For the budding young photographers aged 12 to 17 years old.

Winner – Underwater Youth Photographer of the year 2025
Emily Sonter (A Dazzling Display)

Runner Up   
Raphael Hampartzoumian (Eye to Eye)  

Highly Commended          
Evelyn Christopher (Hide and Seek)                          

7. Reels: Capturing the wonder of the biodiversity in our underwater world. Reel length is 15 to 30 seconds duration.

Youth Reels (12 to 17 years)

Winner
Jesse Loffel (The Usual Suspect)

Runner Up                                               
Ezra Boulton (Usual Fish Different Location)

Highly Commended                                                   
Otto Lourecco (Stop Bugging Me)                                                

Open Reels (18+ years)

Winner
Emilie Pettersson (Belonging)                        

Runner Up
Lauren Elder (Strike a Pose)      

Highly Commended                  
Kim Dunbar (Locals of Cabbage Tree Bay)                                      

8. People’s Choice - Voted online
Xina Hudson (Living Shield)

Judges included Katherine Roberts – Senior Curator at the Manly Art Gallery & Museum, Peter McGee – a multi award winning local nature and underwater photographer, SCUBA diver and conservationist and avid diver and distinguished underwater photographer, Jayne Jenkins.