Mangrove trees thrive in environments that would kill most other plants. Found along the coastlines of the Americas, Asia, Africa, and Australasia, these vital plants shelter vulnerable creatures, absorb excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and helps protect coastlines from erosion.
The Mangrove Photography Awards celebrate this nature powerhouse each year with captivating images that document their beauty and their struggle. This year’s overall prize went to photographer Gaurav Patil for his image “Tangled glow: When life meets the ruins” (seen below).
“Tangled glow: When life meets the ruins” OVERALL WINNERCredit: Gaurav Patil / Mangrove Photography Awards 2026 “I came across this particular mangrove patch where discarded fishing nets were getting trapped during high tide. These nets, after getting discarded or lost from the fishing vessels, meet the oceanic currents which bring them to the coast. I have been watching ghost nets getting trapped in mangroves for the last several years, and I wanted to document it in an artistic manner to grab the attention of the viewers,” Patil said in a statement.
This year the competition saw 5,258 entries from 87 countries. Winners were selected across six categories. The full gallery can be viewed at the Mangrove Action Project .
“Beneath Ancient Light “Credit: Ryuhei Suguri / Mangrove Photography Awards 2026 “Mangroves of the Enchanted Islands “Credit: Pelayo Salinas de León / Mangrove Photography Awards 2026 “Mangroves of the Enchanted Islands “Credit: Pelayo Salinas de León / Mangrove Photography Awards 2026 “Fast Asleep “Wildlife Mammals – Runner-up Credit: Kerron Noel / Mangrove Photography Awards 2026 “Adaptation” In mangrove forests where warm-blooded prey is scarce, some mosquitoes have adapted to feed on cold-blooded mudskippers instead — captured here after the photographer set out to discover what was sustaining the forest’s large mosquito population. Credit: Katanyou Wuttichaitanakorn / Mangrove Photography Awards 2026 “Mangroves of the Enchanted Islands “Credit: Pelayo Salinas de León / Mangrove Photography Awards 2026 @PelayoSalinas “Unblinking Watcher “Young Photographer , Runner-up Credit: Marcus Kuan / Mangrove Photography Awards 2026 “Mudskippers in Awe! “Wildlife , Other Species – Highly Commended Credit: Ashok Behera / Mangrove Photography Awards 2026 FIHFFEAHGEJJGJJHKHGIHFIHFIJDIHFI “Dance in the Mist” Credit: Miguel Diaz Perez / Mangrove Photography Awards 2026 @mikediazphoto“Eyes that ask why”Threats , Runner-up Credit: Tosan Dudun / Mangrove Photography Awards 2026 “Guardian of the Mangrove Edge” Wildlife, Other Species – Highly CommendedCredit: Jesús Jiménez González / Mangrove Photography Awards 2026 “Feeding grounds under the canopy “Underwater , Winner Credit: Ewan Tregarot / Mangrove Photography Awards 2026 “Sentinel of the Mangrove” Wildlife, Mammals – Highly Commended Credit: Raj Hassanaly / Mangrove Photography Awards 2026 “Reddish Rarity” Wildlife, Birds – Highly Commended Credit: Dillon Roberts / Mangrove Photography Awards 2026 “Snook Attack” Underwater – Highly Commended Credit: Crispin Middleton / Mangrove Photography Awards 2026 “A Silent Cry of the Mangroves”Threats , Highly Commended Credit: Michol Sanchez / Mangrove Photography Awards 2026