‘Captivated by the wonders of the underwater world, I yearned to share its beauty with others.’
So says Fabi Fregonesi, a 39-year-old photographer who has spent hundreds of hours underwater capturing the ‘magic’ of the aquatic world.
Fabi, from Brazil, began underwater photography in 2012 after discovering a ‘passion’ for scuba diving. Since then, she’s travelled all over the world taking photos, with her work even placing in this year’s esteemed Underwater Photographer of the Year competition.
The award-winning photographer shares her stunning underwater images to her Instagram account @fabi_dive. She told MailOnline Travel: ‘Underwater photography captivates me with its element of surprise and the thrill of capturing the unexpected.
‘With each dive and each captured image, I deepen my understanding of marine life. Today, underwater photography is a really important part of my identity.’
From a smiling shark in the Bahamas to a fascinating shipwreck in Brazil, Fabi shared 11 stunning underwater images with MailOnline Travel. Scroll down to decide which one’s your favourite.
Above is a mesmerising picture called ‘Set Sail’. It captures the Virgo Wreck in Recife, Brazil, enveloped by a school of fish in a ‘striking formation reminiscent of a ship’s sail’. Fabi was awarded third place for this image in the Wrecks category of the Underwater Photographer of the Year competition 2024. She said: ‘The sight of the shipwreck adorned with this living sail remains etched in my memory, evoking a sense of magic as if the vessel is poised to set sail once more’
This image captures a shark ominously approaching a school of fish in the Galapagos Islands, Fabi’s favourite place to take underwater photographs. She said: ‘This incredible destination boasts unparalleled marine biodiversity. It’s an underwater paradise, teeming with sharks, marine iguanas, mola mola, playful sea lions, turtles, graceful rays, and a dazzling array of fish’
This image was taken at a craggy outcrop off the Mexican coast called Los Islotes, which is home to a colony of sea lions. Fabi says: ‘A crucial aspect of underwater photography, which unfortunately some photographers overlook, is respecting marine life. I never touch or reposition animals for a better shot. I work with the environment as it presents itself’
The above image shows a diver swimming among the Taurus Wrecks in Recife, Brazil. Fabi says: ‘Recife boasts an underwater shipwreck park with approximately 20 sunken vessels. This underwater haven teems with marine life, offering visibility and warm waters’
This picture shows a bull shark during a shark-feeding dive off the coast of Jupiter town, Florida. Fabi says: ‘Popular culture often portrays sharks as menacing predators, fueling public fear. I initially shared this fear. However, encountering these magnificent creatures firsthand transformed my perspective’
In this image captured off Jupiter’s coast, Fabi captures a shark eating a fish. She notes: ‘In my hundreds of shark encounters, I’ve never witnessed a situation where a diver was at risk or a shark exhibited aggression. The underwater realm is home to diverse and fascinating creatures, each playing a vital role in the marine ecosystem’
This ‘smiling shark’ image was taken while diving off Tiger Beach in the Bahamas. Fabi says ‘respecting these animals is crucial’ and ‘understanding their behaviour ensures a safe and enjoyable underwater experience for all’
Pictured is a tiger shark approaching a diver with its mouth open during a feeding dive. Fabi says: ‘While I love capturing all marine creatures, I have a particular fondness for sharks, especially the tiger shark’
Fabi says: ‘I feel incredibly fortunate to have had countless close encounters with a vast array of marine creatures, including whales, sharks of diverse species, dolphins, rays, and more. These experiences are truly transformative, offering a glimpse into a world few have the privilege to witness. Each dive leaves an unforgettable mark and a memory that I will carry with me.’ The above image captures two sea lions playing in Los Islotes, Mexico
A lemon shark captured up close in Jupiter, Florida, in an image that might frighten some people. However, Fabi says: ‘I hesitate to label any marine creature as “dangerous”. I believe that many animals are misunderstood and have been misrepresented as threats’
Fabi took this image of a hammerhead shark in Bimini in the Bahamas. She says: ‘No image is worth jeopardizing my safety for, and I take this responsibility very seriously. First and foremost, I never dive alone. I always have a dive buddy or a guide accompanying me, ensuring clear communication and a shared understanding of the dive’s objectives and procedures’