Winners Gallery
3rd place Adventure Photographer of the Year
Alex Dawson Mexico
"This very unique cave, Yab Yum, is the largest water-filled sinkhole ever documented, close to 100 in diameter and more than 70m deep," says Dawson. "You hit the saltwater at around 15m depth. The stalactites and stalagmites in this enormous space are huge. To reach Yab Yum, you must first drive deep into the jungle on dirt roads, followed by about 40 minutes on off-road trails that are accessible only by large-wheel 4x4 vehicles. Then finally, you need to carry all your diving gear through dense jungle, and after that, it's a 60-minute cave dive to get to this unique location."
BEHIND THE LENS
Alex Dawson
ABOUT THE IMAGE
- Hot and humid day
- 25 degrees Celsius water temperature
- Late afternoon
- Dense coastal jungle access
Alex Dawson is a Swedish underwater photographer. His passion for diving began at 19 and led him to become a dive master and military diver in the Swedish Marines. It was during this time that he picked up his first underwater camera, sparking a deep interest in photography. After his military service, Alex worked across the Red Sea, Sudan, the Canary Islands, and Sweden, combining his skills as a dive guide with his growing expertise in underwater imagery. His distinctive style—wide seascapes, hero shots, and immersive diver portraits—aims to inspire non-divers and future generations alike. Alex’s work has won major photo competitions and is published worldwide.
