Du 8 at 11 January 2026Paris Expo Porte de Versailles hosts the 27th edition of the International Scuba Diving ShowThis annual trade fair is no longer just a technical space for showcasing equipment or destinations. It is establishing itself as a multicultural crossroads of marine explorationbringing together divers, freedivers, photographers, scientists, filmmakers, international champions, environmental NGOs and underwater tourism professionals. Together, they share a common ambition: to tell the story of the ocean, raise awareness of living things and inspire action.
The leading figures in underwater imagery
Laurent Ballesta: Explorer, photographer and scientist
A key figure at the 2026 edition, Laurent Ballesta embodies the scientific, aesthetic, and socially conscious dimensions of the Paris Dive Show. A marine biologist by training, an extreme explorer, and a world-renowned nature photographer, he has dedicated his career to documenting the most inaccessible depths of the planet. Through his famous Gombessa Expeditions, he pushes the human and technical limits of scientific diving to reveal worlds that almost no one has ever observed in situ. He is notably responsible for the very first photographs of the coelacanth taken by a diver at a depth of over 120 meters, the long and unprecedented dives under the Antarctic ice pack, and the spectacular nighttime exploration of the 700 sharks of Fakarava.
Four-time winner of the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year award from the Natural History Museum in London, the only photographer to have twice received the highest distinction in this competition in forty years, Ballesta does not just capture the beauty of the underwater world: he brings back scientific evidence, manifesto images and a strong ecological awareness.
His monumental exhibition Far from HeavenPresented across 100 square meters at the exhibition, this work condenses ten years of discoveries and offers the public a rare immersion into the most secret territories of the ocean, where each image becomes simultaneously a scientific document, a work of art, and a silent plea for the protection of marine life. His images, sometimes captured at depths of over 120 meters or in the icy waters of Antarctica, are visual narratives of marine life.
Diego Buñuel: Journalist and director
Diego Buñuel offers a unique perspective on contemporary ocean issues. Through his documentaries filmed in the Bahamas and Mayotte, he explores the complex relationships between fragile ecosystems, tourism, species preservation and local communitiesHis approach blends reporting, science and immersionoffering the public a panoramic and engaged perspective of the marine world.
Jean-Marc Barr: Actor, committed director
Known both for his acting career and his environmental activism, Jean-Marc Barr this The Sea in Common, a film where the ocean becomes a character in its own right. It invites us to rethink our relationship with water, not as scenery, but as a living system, a collective biological memory and a major player in terrestrial balances.
Champions and ambassadors of diving
Pierre Frolla: Freediver and lecturer
One of the most famous freedivers, Pierre Frolla unveils his project in a preview Marius' Odyssey – The Breath of the OceansThis film is at once a human adventure, a poetic work, and a powerful message about... transmission between generations. Frolla highlights the intimate relationship between man and water, exploring not only physical but also emotional depths.
International freedivers: "Freediving at its peak"
The conference Freediving at the Summit brings together several world freediving champions. These athletes share their experiences, their mental and technical preparations, as well as their philosophy of breath and silenceThis discipline, often perceived as extreme, is presented here as a school of presence, risk management, and listening to the body and the environment.
Scientific community and ecosystem experts
François Sarano: Oceanographer and advocate for life
Renowned oceanographer, François Sarano offers a conference focused on a fundamental question: Should marine species be granted rights? Her presentation explores emerging legal frameworks for ocean protection, as well as the ethical implications of such a paradigm shift.
Nathalie Lasselin: Explorer and thinker of the ocean
Nathalie Lasselin invites us to rethink exploration not as conquest but as an act of conscience and responsibilityHer approach integrates the cultural, ecological, and narrative dimensions of underwater exploration. She emphasizes a sensitive and holistic approach to the marine environment, which goes beyond mere technical performance.
Greg Lecoeur: Committed Photographer
Photographer and documentary filmmaker, Greg Lecoeur explores the political and social issues related to underwater images. For him, photography is not merely aesthetic: it is a advocacy toolcapable of transforming our perspective and driving concrete changes for the preservation of the oceans.
The 2026 Dive Show also brings together a large ecosystem of professional players who make Hall 4 at Porte de Versailles a true global showcase for the underwater world.
Leading diving equipment brands showcase their latest innovations in safety, performance, and deep-sea exploration, unveiling the technologies that are already shaping the future of diving. Alongside them, destinations specializing in dive tourism—tourism offices, dive centers, and international operators—invite visitors to discover exceptional sites, exclusive itineraries, and tailor-made experiences across the globe. The show also gives pride of place to environmental NGOs, which host booths, educational workshops, and awareness campaigns aimed at both experienced divers and families, reminding everyone that exploration goes hand in hand with protecting life.
Finally, training and certification structures complete this overview by offering information, introductions and personalized advice, allowing everyone to imagine or structure their own path in the world of diving.
A cross-cutting program for all audiences
The 2026 Paris Dive Show is designed to appeal to a diverse audience: from experienced divers to curious novices, from passionate photographers to families wishing to discover the wonders of the underwater world. international conferences, interactive workshops, film screenings, immersive exhibitions et technical demonstrations offer a wealth of experiences that go far beyond a simple trade fair.
By bringing together explorers, scientists, artists, athletes and institutionsThe event brings together worlds that are often separate. It becomes a dynamic platform for thinking, feeling and acting in favor of the oceans.
Le International Scuba Diving Show 2026 is not just an annual event, it is a celebration of lifeAn invitation to look at the ocean with wonder, respect, and responsibility. By highlighting diverse voices, from champion to oceanographer, from photographer to filmmaker, the event transforms diving into a universal language to tell the story of the fragile beauty of the underwater world.
Patrick Koune
Photos: Scuba Diving Show
Practical information
27th International Scuba Diving Show
From January 8 11 2026 in
Paris Expo Porte de Versailles – Hall 4
www.salon-de-la-plongee.com
