Maldives

A whale shark (Rhincodon typus) swims in the shallow water of the Maldives over a coral reef. Viewed from above, the white spot pattern on the dark back is particularly well visible.
A majestic reef manta glides elegantly through the blue water, showing its characteristic white underside with prominent gill slits. The view from below emphasises the impressive size and grace of this planktivore.
A majestic whale shark glides elegantly through the blue water while a diver in the background documents this impressive encounter. The characteristic white spot pattern on the dark skin of the world's largest fish is clearly visible.
An orange-red anemonefish hides among the tentacles of a vivid violet sea anemone. The clownfish displays its typical symbiotic behaviour and is perfectly embedded in its host anemone, whose tentacles envelop it protectively.
A nurse shark rests on the reef floor while a diver in the background illuminates the scene with a torch. The powerful body and the characteristic rounded snout of this harmless shark are clearly visible.
A whale shark (Rhincodon typus) glides over a shallow coral reef in the Maldives. The wide-angle shot from above shows the enormous wingspan of the pectoral fins and the turquoise water.
Two nurse sharks (Nebrius ferrugineus) swim over the sandy floor at dusk. The upper shark is seen frontally from below, the lower one from the side. The broad heads and barbels are clearly recognisable.
A grey reef shark swims elegantly above a colourful coral reef, while a diver in the background observes the scene. The shark displays its characteristic streamlined shape and typical grey colouration with black-tipped fins.
A whale shark (Rhincodon typus) swims just below the water surface in the shallow water of the Maldives. The reflection on the surface and the sunbeams create a vivid atmosphere.
A reef manta (Mobula alfredi) feeding on plankton at the water surface during the night. The white underside with gill slits is impressively mirrored in the dark water.
A green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) rests on the sandy floor. A batfish (Platax) swims in the background. The shell pattern and scaly skin are visible in detail.
A whale shark (Rhincodon typus) swims in the crystal-clear shallow water of the Maldives directly below the surface. The unique pattern of white spots and lines on the dark body is spectacular.
A grey reef shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) swims frontally towards the camera. A school of fish and another shark are visible in the background. The powerful body shape and round eye are clearly visible.
Two Maldivian anemonefish hover above the tentacles of a vivid violet magnificent anemone. The orange-and-white fish contrast impressively with the dark background and the violet anemone.
A reef manta (Mobula alfredi) hovers elegantly over a coral reef in the Maldives. The underside with the typical spot pattern and the gill slits are clearly visible, with colourful fish on the reef below.
A nurse shark swims closely along the sandy floor. The characteristic barbels at the mouth and the remoras on its body are clearly visible, with scattered corals in the background.
A reef manta photographed from below, with its individual underside markings of dark spots clearly visible. The cephalic fins are raised; sunlight glows through the turquoise water in the background.
A whale shark (Rhincodon typus) swims majestically below the water surface over a coral reef in the Maldives. The white spot pattern on the dark body glitters in the sunlight.
A hawksbill sea turtle swims majestically through the deep blue water, displaying its characteristic yellow-brown shell markings and the typical pointed beak. The turtle is visible in an elegant swimming position with extended flippers as it glides through the open water.
Two nurse sharks on the sandy floor; a small yellow pilotfish accompanies the front shark at its pectoral fin. A second nurse shark approaches from the background.
A beautifully coloured yellowback anthias swims against a black background. The animal displays the characteristic colour distribution with vivid pink head and front body, yellow back and sickle-shaped yellow tail fin.
A whale shark (Rhincodon typus) swims just below the water surface over a shallow reef. The typical spot pattern on the dark back and the massive body shape are impressive.
A majestic eagle ray glides elegantly through the blue water, surrounded by a school of smaller fish. The characteristic white gill plates and the long, whip-like tail are clearly visible.
Two reef mantas (Mobula alfredi) swim near the water surface at night, attracted by the plankton in the spotlight. Their reflections on the surface create a fascinating atmosphere.
Portrait shot of a round-faced batfish against a dark background. The disc-shaped body with the long, curved fins and the striking face are impressively lit.
A Maldivian anemonefish hides among the green bubble tentacles of a vivid pink-magenta magnificent anemone. The colour combination of orange, green and pink makes for a particularly colourful image.
A large gathering of nurse sharks during a night dive. The sharks crowd over each other on the reef, surrounded by a school of small fish that light up in the camera flash.
A reef manta (Mobula alfredi) swims near the water surface at night through plankton-rich water. The gill slits and underside pattern are reflected on the surface.
A spotted eagle ray (Aetobatus narinari) swims elegantly through the open blue water. The long whip-like tail and the distinctive body shape are clearly visible.
A whip coral shrimp (Pontonides ankeri) rests on its host coral. These small shrimps live in a symbiotic relationship with whip corals and are perfectly adapted to the colour and structure of their host, making them extremely well camouflaged.
Three batfish swim elegantly in the open water, displaying their characteristic disc-shaped body form with the tall dorsal and anal fins. The silvery-white fish with dark crossbands move synchronously through the deep blue water.
Eagle ray photographed from below, gliding elegantly through the open blue water. The gill slits and the long tail are clearly visible.
A dense school of fusiliers (Caesio caerulaurea) in the open blue water. The vivid blue fish with yellow tail fins form an impressive formation.
Extreme close-up of the eye of a jewel grouper. The vivid orange-red skin with characteristic blue spots and the detailed iris are impressively captured in this super-macro shot.
Macro portrait of a peacock mantis shrimp (Odontodactylus scyllarus). The fascinating compound eyes on moveable stalks and the vivid raptorial claws in green, orange and red are captured in rich detail.
A nurse shark winds its way over a section of reef during a night dive. Small fish light up in the camera flash, and further nurse sharks are visible in the dark background.
A reef manta (Mobula alfredi) photographed from below in the blue water of the Maldives. The individual underside pattern with dark spots is clearly recognisable.
An orange anemonefish lives in perfect symbiosis with a large, pink-violet anemone. The vivid colours of the clownfish contrast beautifully with the soft pastel tones of its host anemone against the deep blue background.
An enormous school of bluestripe snapper (Lutjanus kasmira) in vivid yellow fills the entire image. The fish swim densely packed along the reef.
A porcelain crab (Neopetrolisthes maculatus) sits in an anemone, filtering plankton from the water with its fan-like mouthparts. The white legs with characteristic red spots are clearly visible.
Several nurse sharks crowd together on a reef ledge during a night dive. A small school of fish lights up in the camera flash, while the sharks rest on top of each other.
A nurse shark swims calmly through the dark water during a night dive. The shark displays its characteristic blunt snout and the typical barbels at the mouth that help it search for food on the seafloor.
Two reef mantas photographed from below. The large manta in the foreground displays its individual underside markings with dark spots; a second manta hovers above it. The raised cephalic fins are clearly visible.
A majestic manta ray glides elegantly over a coral reef while sunbeams penetrate the blue water. The characteristic spots on the underside and the spread pectoral fins are clearly visible as the ray swims along the reef in its natural environment.
An elegant spotted eagle ray glides majestically through the clear blue water above a coral reef. The characteristic white spots on the reddish-brown upper side and the long, whip-like tail are clearly recognisable.
A small group of longfin batfish swims elegantly through the deep blue open water. The silvery-white fish with their characteristically elongated dorsal and anal fins display their typical schooling formation.
Slender whip corals grow from the sandy floor under a rocky overhang. The deep blue of the open water in the background contrasts impressively with the orange-red corals.
Frontal shot of a nurse shark (Nebrius ferrugineus) resting on the sandy floor. The broad flat head with barbels, the mouth and the tooth rows are clearly visible.
A dark blenny (Ecsenius) peers curiously out of its hole in the coral reef. The large round eyes and the wide mouth give it a friendly expression.
Four eagle rays glide in formation over the reef. Their spotted backs and white undersides are impressively captured in the wide-angle shot.
A nurse shark swims through the dark water during a night dive. The powerful body and the characteristic barbels at the mouth are well illuminated by the camera flash.
A pink frogfish clings to black coral branches and is perfectly camouflaged by its body shape and colouration. Small reef fish swim through the blue water in the background.
A pink frogfish clings to a black coral branch and displays its wide-open mouth. The rough, sponge-like skin texture and the perfect camouflage among the branches are fascinating.
A nurse shark glides through dark water during a night dive. A juvenile amberjack (pilotfish) swims at its dorsal fin.
A reef manta glides majestically overhead. The view from below shows the individual underside markings and the gill slits; sunlight breaks through the water surface in the background.
Two reef mantas (Mobula alfredi) feed on plankton at the water surface at night. Their reflections and the plankton shimmering in the light create a magical atmosphere.
A clownfish nestles safely among the tentacles of a large purple sea anemone. The perfect symbiosis shows the orange-and-white anemonefish protected by the stinging tentacles of its host anemone.
A nurse shark (Nebrius ferrugineus) rests on the pale sandy floor. The massive body and the typical twin dorsal fins are clearly visible in the wide-angle shot.
Super-macro shot of the undulating mantle edge of a clam. The vivid yellow-orange, wave-folded edges contrast impressively with the dark brown pattern of the shell.
A reef manta (Mobula alfredi) glides majestically over a coral reef. The pale underside with the individual spot patterns and the rolled cephalic fin are clearly visible.
A grey reef shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) passes the camera from the side. The elegant body shape, the gill slits and the characteristic round eye are clearly recognisable.
A grey reef shark glides along a vividly encrusted reef, surrounded by numerous anthias and small reef fish. The elegant body posture and the gill slits are clearly visible in the camera flash.
A whale shark (Rhincodon typus) swims just below the water surface, accompanied by a snorkeller. The characteristic spot pattern on the dark back and the enormous size of the animal are impressive.
An elegant polychaete worm swims through the blue water with its characteristic pink-red segments.
A hawksbill sea turtle swims elegantly through the deep blue open water. The characteristic shell shape and the distinctive flipper patterns are clearly visible as the animal is seen in a typical swimming posture with extended flippers.
An elegant spotted eagle ray glides majestically through the deep blue open water. The characteristic white spots on the dark green upper side and the white underside are clearly visible as the ray hovers through the open water with spread pectoral fins.
A large school of fusiliers (Caesio caerulaurea) forms a dense ball in the blue water of the Maldives. The blue-and-yellow fish shimmer in the incoming light.
A free-swimming vivid pink feather star elegantly spreads its feathered arms against a deep blue background. The delicate, feathery structures of the echinoderm are perfectly visible and show the characteristic radial symmetry of these nocturnal filter feeders.
A perfectly camouflaged stonefish rests motionlessly on the reef floor, surrounded by colourful coral encrustations and sponges. The warty skin and irregular body shape make it nearly invisible in its surroundings — a true master of camouflage.
A longfin batfish hovers elegantly in the deep blue open water. The silvery-white fish with its characteristically elongated dorsal and anal fins and yellowish belly displays the typical body shape of this species in open water.
A majestic hawksbill sea turtle glides elegantly through the deep blue open water, while a diver is visible in the background. The turtle clearly shows its characteristic yellow-brown shell plates and the distinctive flipper pattern.
Two grey reef sharks swim side by side through the deep blue water. Further sharks are visible as silhouettes in the background.
A grey reef shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) swims frontally towards the camera in the deep blue water of the Maldives. Further fish and a second shark in the depths are visible in the background.
A grey reef shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) glides sideways through the blue water above the reef. Further fish swim in the background. The streamlined silhouette is perfectly visible.
A large black-spotted stingray rests on the reef floor while a grey reef shark glides above it. Numerous small reef fish enliven the scene.
A group of grey reef sharks swim above a coral reef. The sharks display their typical behaviour of patrolling in groups in the current during the day, keeping watch for prey.
Macro shot of the spherical tentacle tips of a bubble anemone. The green-brown bubbles with fine white dot patterns and darker centres form a fascinating pattern.
A grey reef shark swims elegantly through the blue open water, surrounded by a school of smaller reef fish. The shark displays its characteristic streamlined shape and typical grey colouration with white underside.
A majestic reef manta glides elegantly through the blue water, displaying its characteristic white underside with the typical dark spot patterns. The view from below emphasises the imposing wingspan and the graceful swimming style of this peaceful planktivore.
Several reef mantas glide elegantly over a coral reef. Small reef fish and anthias surround the majestic animals, while sunlight penetrates the water in the background.
Several nurse sharks rest on the sandy floor during a night dive. Numerous remoras and small companion fish surround the sharks, and the scene is illuminated by the diver's light.
Two orange anemonefish with characteristic white stripes live in symbiosis with a large violet-pink sea anemone. The clownfish display the typical behaviour of seeking shelter among the tentacles of their host anemone.
Two eagle rays glide synchronously through the deep blue water. The view from below shows their distinctive white undersides and the long whip-like tails, while sunlight floods the water from above.
A majestic giant manta glides elegantly through the blue water while a diver in the background illustrates the impressive size of this gentle giant. The characteristic dark spots on the white underside and the widely spread pectoral fins are clearly visible.
A blenny with a characteristic large eye and vivid yellow-orange colouration peeks out from its hiding place among corals and sediment. The striking turquoise-blue eye with black pupil and the small projection above the head are typical of this species.
A beautiful nudibranch with orange-white colouration and violet markings crawls across the dark seafloor. The Chromodoris species displays its typical rhinophores (scent organs) and the undulating mantle tissue with vivid colours.
A majestic hawksbill sea turtle swims elegantly through the deep blue open water. The turtle is visible in perfect swimming posture with extended flippers, its characteristic shell with the distinctive scutes clearly recognisable.
A yellowhead moray with characteristic yellow head and net-like pattern peers out of a coral cave. The mouth is wide open, showing the sharp teeth — typical behaviour for morays, which pump water through their gills for respiration.
A macro shot shows the delicate, whitish-pink polyps of a whip coral with several whip coral shrimps living on their host coral.
A beautiful Chromodoris nudibranch with characteristic orange-and-black patterning on a white body crawls over the colourful coral reef. The nudibranch displays its typical orange rhinophores (scent organs) and the feathered gills at its rear end.
An eagle ray glides elegantly over the sandy seafloor. The characteristic white spots on the brown upper side and the pale underside are clearly visible as the ray moves its long, whip-like tail through the clear blue water.
A manta ray passes over the reef; the underside with its unique spot pattern is clearly visible.
A vivid red-and-white patterned longnose hawkfish rests on a richly structured gorgonian. The small fish displays the characteristic lattice pattern and typical elongated dorsal fin rays of its species.
A vivid red frogfish sits well camouflaged among sponges and other marine organisms on the reef floor. The fish displays its characteristic warty skin and typical stocky body shape as it waits motionlessly for prey.
A diver hovers as a silhouette against the sun in the blue water, releasing a stream of bubbles. The dramatic backlit shot shows sunbeams breaking through the water, creating a mystical atmosphere.
A yellow blenny (Ecsenius) peers curiously from its hole in the reef. The vivid yellow colouration, the blue iris and the fine cirri above the eyes are clearly visible in the macro shot.
An imposing Napoleon wrasse swims majestically through the blue water. The large fish displays its characteristic humped forehead and prominent thick lips as it gazes curiously towards the camera.
A batfish swims elegantly through deep blue water, with the water surface clearly visible above.
Three spotted eagle rays glide majestically through the blue water, their characteristic white spots clearly visible on the dark upper side. The elegant rays swim in formation, displaying their typical diamond-shaped body form with the long, whip-like tails.
A pink-orange anemonefish hides among the protective tentacles of its host anemone. The symbiotic relationship between fish and anemone is perfectly captured here, with the warm tones and soft light creating a dreamlike atmosphere.
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