In early September, the Principality of Monaco will once again turn its gaze beneath the waves, as the Monaco Underwater Exploration Club (CESMM) under the aegis of the Monegasque Federation of Underwater Activities (FMAS), hosts a remarkable event that merges artistry, sport, and environmental commitment. From September 4 to 7, 2025, this four-day celebration of underwater photography will spotlight the ocean’s fragile beauty - and Monaco’s enduring efforts to protect it.
Held under the honorary presidency of H.S.H. Prince Albert II, and led by CESMM President Roger Mullot, the event features three major competitions: the 20th National Underwater Photography Contest, the 2nd International Challenge, and the conclusion of the Junior Contest launched earlier this summer. Each is guided by a shared principle: “To know better is to protect better.” For Mullot, the motivation is clear. “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,” he explains. Throughout the weekend, professionals and young talents will pursue a single mission: to showcase the richness and vulnerability of the marine world through exceptional imagery.
The National Contest, now in its 20th year, remains CESMM’s flagship event. Thirteen teams will dive into Monaco’s seabeds to capture four required photographs: macro, wide-angle/ambiance, fish, and an imposed theme. Two technical categories - interchangeable and non-interchangeable lens cameras—define the competition’s structure, with photographers assisted by dive buddies who also serve as models. A six-member jury will award top prizes for each theme and overall rankings in both camera categories. “The national contest offers underwater photography enthusiasts, whether professional or amateur, the opportunity to challenge themselves while showcasing, through images, the still little-known diversity of Monaco’s marine flora and fauna,” says Sophie Guillou, President of the Organizing Committee.
Ten years after its inaugural edition, the International Challenge returns to Monaco with participants from eleven countries: Germany, Belgium, Spain, France, Italy, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Tunisia. With three dives scheduled - including a groundbreaking underwater night dive - teams will compete in the same four photographic categories. “By inviting different countries to take part in an underwater photography contest in Monaco, we are offering an international showcase for the Principality’s colors, while highlighting the richness of its seabed and its commitment to protecting marine flora and fauna. The strong interest shown by the participating nations is the best proof of this,” Guillou adds. For this edition, Anna Arzhanova, President of the World Underwater Federation (CMAS), will attend. Mullot, who launched the night dive initiative with CESMM Vice-President Pascal Parry - this year’s jury president - explains, “Shooting conditions are much more challenging at night, especially with lighting, and the marine life encountered is entirely different.”
Alongside the senior competitions, the Junior Contest “Underwater Perspectives” will conclude after a summer-long effort to educate younger generations about the marine environment. Children aged 8 to 17 participated in three supervised outings, grouped into two categories: Jellyfish (ages 8–12) and Seahorse (ages 13–17). Each young photographer will present a three-photo series, with prizes awarded for the best in each age group. “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 Mullot. Guillou echoes this sentiment: “They are the actors of tomorrow and the guardians of the work we are doing today.”
Throughout its history, CESMM has served as a key player in Monaco’s environmental engagement. In collaboration with the Monaco Town Hall, the club has organized over 300 introductory scuba dives at the Rainier III pool, located in the heart of the Port of Monaco. “It’s a way of promoting our activities to a wider audience while teaching the basics of diving,” Mullot notes. From these efforts, and through the striking imagery produced during these competitions, photography becomes not merely a form of expression but a tool for raising awareness - capturing the extraordinary biodiversity of the oceans and the urgent need to protect it.
The program begins Thursday, September 4, with the event’s official opening. Friday will see the start of the International Challenge, including day dives and a landmark night dive. Saturday is reserved for the National Contest, followed by the final award ceremony on Sunday morning, September 7, at the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco. As the curtain falls on this edition, the photographs - captured in silence, beneath the sea - will continue to speak, reminding us all that beauty must be seen to be saved.