‘Captivated by the wonders of the underwater world, he longed to share its beauty with others.’
This is according to Fabi Fregonesi, a 39-year-old photographer who has spent hundreds of hours underwater capturing the “magic” of the aquatic world.
Fabi, from Brazil, started doing underwater photography in 2012 after discovering her “passion” for diving. Since then, she has travelled around the world taking photographs, and her work was even included in this year’s prestigious Underwater Photographer of the Year competition.
The award-winning photographer shares her stunning underwater images on her Instagram account. @fabi_diveShe told MailOnline Travel: ‘Underwater photography captivates me with its element of surprise and the thrill of capturing the unexpected.
“With every dive and every image captured, I deepen my understanding of marine life. Today, underwater photography is a very 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 is your favourite.
Above is a mesmerizing image called ‘Set Sail’. It captures the shipwreck of the Virgo 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 Shipwrecks category of the Underwater Photographer of the Year 2024 competition. He said: ‘The sight of the shipwreck adorned with this living sail remains etched in my memory, evoking a sense of magic as if the ship was ready to set sail once again’
This image captures a shark menacingly approaching a school of fish in the Galapagos Islands, Fabi’s favourite spot for underwater photography. 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 on a rugged 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 is unfortunately overlooked by some photographers, is respect for marine life. I never touch or change the position of animals to get a better shot. I work with the environment as it presents itself.”
The image above shows a diver swimming among the remains of the Taurus in Recife, Brazil. Fabi says: “Recife features an underwater shipwreck park with approximately 20 sunken ships. This underwater refuge is teeming with marine life, offers visibility and warm waters.”
This image shows a bull shark during a shark feeding dive off the coast of Jupiter City, Florida. Fabi says: “Popular culture often portrays sharks as menacing predators, which fuels public fear. At first I shared this fear. However, encountering these magnificent creatures firsthand transformed my perspective.”
In this image taken off the coast of Jupiter, Fabi captures a shark devouring a fish. She notes: “In my hundreds of shark encounters, I have never witnessed a situation where a diver was in danger or a shark exhibited aggression. The underwater world is home to diverse and fascinating creatures, each of which plays a vital role in the marine ecosystem.”
This image of the “smiling shark” was taken while snorkelling at Tiger Beach in the Bahamas. Fabi says that “respecting these animals is crucial” and that “understanding their behaviour ensures a safe and enjoyable underwater experience for everyone.”
The image shows a tiger shark approaching a diver with its mouth open during a feeding dive. Fabi says: “While I love capturing all sea 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 wide variety of marine creatures including whales, sharks of various species, dolphins, rays and more. These experiences are truly life-changing and offer a glimpse into a world few have the privilege of witnessing. Each dive leaves an unforgettable mark and a memory I will carry with me.” The image above captures two sea lions playing in Los Islotes, Mexico
A lemon shark captured up close in Jupiter, Florida, in an image that might scare some people. However, Fabi says: “I hesitate to label any marine creature as ‘dangerous’. I think a lot of animals are misunderstood and have been wrongly portrayed as threats.”
Fabi took this photograph of a hammerhead shark in Bimini, Bahamas. She says: “No image is worth risking my safety, and I take this responsibility very seriously. First and foremost, I never dive alone. I always have a dive buddy or guide accompanying me, ensuring clear communication and a shared understanding of the dive objectives and procedures.”