The Monaco Underwater Exploration Club will be hosting a unique event combining competition, passion and a commitment to marine conservation from September 4–7, 2025. The 20th National Underwater Photography Contest, the 2nd International Challenge, and the finale of the Junior Contest, launched by the club at the start of the summer, will all take place over the same weekend.
“Underwater photography competitions are essential because they make the invisible visible: the beauty and fragility of our marine environment. An image speaks louder than words, sparking wonder or awareness of human threats,” said Roger Mullot, President of the Monaco Underwater Exploration Club.
With HSH Prince Albert II as the Club’s Honorary President, the event is proud to honour the Sovereign’s commitment to the protection of the oceans and marine ecosystems. For three days, professionals and young talents will share one common goal: showcasing the beauty of the oceans through exceptional photographs.
The 20th National Contest: Tradition meets Excellence
As the Club’s flagship event, this contest will bring together the country’s best photographer-diver teams to explore Monaco’s seabeds in search of the perfect shot. This year, 13 teams have registered. A six-member jury will award prizes for the best photos.
“The national contest offers underwater photography enthusiasts, whether professional or amateur, the opportunity to challenge themselves while showcasing the little-known diversity of Monaco’s marine flora and fauna,” explains Sophie Guillou, President of the Club’s Organizing Committee.
The 2nd International Challenge: Monaco at the Heart of a Global Meeting
Ten years after the first edition, the Monaco Underwater Exploration Club will once again welcome this prestigious international event, bringing together 11 teams representing 11 countries: Germany, Belgium, Spain, France, Italy, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Tunisia.
“By inviting different countries to take part in an underwater photography contest in Monaco, we are offering an international showcase for the Principality’s colours, while highlighting the richness of its seabed,” notes Sophie Guillou. For the occasion, Anna Arzhanova, President of the World Underwater Federation (CMAS), will be in Monaco to attend the event.
From Friday to Sunday, participants will compete in three dives, including a night dive – a world first. Teams will submit photographs in the following categories: macro, fish, wide-angle, ambiance, and themed.
“For our 2nd International Challenge, we wanted to innovate with a world-first: underwater night photography. Shooting conditions are much more challenging at night, especially with lighting, and the marine life encountered is entirely different,” explains Roger Mullot, who launched this initiative alongside Pascal Parry, the Club’s Vice-President and President of the Jury this year.
Junior Contest “Underwater Perspectives”: Inspiring Future Generations
Throughout the summer, the Monaco Underwater Exploration Club introduced children to underwater photography through three supervised outings. The Junior Contest will culminate in a prize for the best photo series in each of the two age groups.
“For over 13 years, a Junior Contest has introduced young enthusiasts to the discovery and respect of the underwater world through digital tools. As our Honorary President, the Sovereign Prince, reminds us: ‘To save our planet, every effort and resource is necessary.’ Recently, a seahorse was observed and photographed in Monaco’s waters—a rare find that highlights the importance of educating future generations in order to preserve marine beauty and biodiversity,” says Roger Mullot.
