Top Underwater Photos from the 2017 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year Contest
The 2017 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year contest brought in more than 11,000 entries from across the globe. These stunning images blew judges away, taking home top honors in the Underwater category. To see winners in all categories, click here.
Jim Obester, 2017 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year1st Place
Blue-filtered strobe lights stimulate fluorescent pigments in the clear tentacles of a tube-dwelling anemone in Hood Canal, Washington.
Shane Gross, 2017 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year2nd Place
Typically a shy species, a Caribbean reef shark investigates a remote-triggered camera in Cuba’s Gardens of the Queen marine protected area.
Michael Patrick O'Neill, 2017 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year3rd Place
Buoyed by the Gulf Stream, a flying fish arcs through the night-dark water five miles off Palm Beach, Florida.
Jennifer O'Neil, 2017 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the YearHonorable Mention
Preparing to strike, tarpon cut through a ribbon-like school of scad off the coast of Bonaire in the Caribbean Sea.
Matthew Smith, 2017 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the YearPeople’s Choice
A Portuguese man-of-war nears the beach on a summer morning; thousands of these jellyfish wash up on Australia’s eastern coast every year.
