Isle of Man Splash In photography competition celebrates marine life and local talent

Divers and snorkellers recognised across six categories

The ninth annual Isle of Man Splash In Competition has showcased a wide range of underwater photography, with entries highlighting marine life from Manx waters and beyond.

The 2025 contest, organised by Discover Diving, attracted submissions from snorkellers and divers across the Island, alongside a new worldwide category introduced this year.

Images were judged across six categories: Worldwide, Any Manx Image, Macro, Scenic, Novelty, and a Biodiversity Portfolio comprising four images taken in Manx waters.

• Scenic Winner Pauline Berrie
• Worldwide Winner LaraHowe
• Macro Winner Pauline Nudibranch
• Novelty Winner LaraHowe Tom Pot Blenny
• Biodiversity Winner Leigh_Morris_Spiny Starfish
• Biodiversity Winner Leigh_Morris_Reef and Jewels
• Biodiversity Winner Leigh_Morris_Cuckoo Wrasse
• Biodiversity Winner Leigh Morris Lions Mane
• Biodiversity Runner Up Karolina Sea Anemone
• Biodiversity Runner Up Karolina Sand Eels
• Biodiversity Runner Up Karolina Barrel jellyfish
• Biodiversity Runner Up Karolina Hermit crab
• Any Manx Image Winner LaraHowe

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Scenic Winner Pauline Berrie

Scenic winner: Pauline Berrie

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Lara Howe was named overall winner of the Biosphere award, securing victories in the Novelty, Worldwide, and Any Manx Image categories.

Judges praised the composition and colour of her worldwide-winning image, taken in Scottish waters, while her Novelty entry captured a sharply focused Tompot blenny.

Her photograph of a cuckoo wrasse taken locally also claimed the Any Manx Image title.

The trophy was presented by Rushen MHK Dr Michelle Haywood, who is a director of Discover Diving.

The Biodiversity Portfolio category was won by Leigh Morris - former CEO of the Manx Wildlife Trust - with judges commending the range of species shown as a strong reflection of Manx marine biodiversity.

Karolina Ubraniak was runner-up, recognised for a series of snorkelling images demonstrating the variety of life visible in shallow waters.

Pauline Berrie claimed the Scenic category with an image of a snakelocks anemone, which judges said created a striking scene despite its small scale.

She also won the Macro category with a detailed photograph of the nudibranch Coryphella lineata.

Speaking after judging concluded Dr Haywood said: "Every year this competition is more keenly fought than the last. This year’s images certainly show off the skills of the photographers as well as the incredibly beautiful marine life that we are so privileged to be able to observe. Well done to everyone who took part and I look forward to 2026’s entries."