Photographs that make a splash! Incredible images capture the raw beauty of waves breaking off the coast of South Africa

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The raw power of waves is indisputable and their majestic quality as they roll into shore undeniable. But only the full extent of their beauty can be discovered from inside their surging mass.

South African photographer Marck Botha has a passion for just this and is making waves with his stunning form of water art.

This series of images were taken between April and July off the coast of Durban, the most populous city in the Natal Province famed for its outstanding breaks and stunning seascapes. 

The coastline of Durban's Umhlanga resort from inside the barrel of a wave as captured by photographer Marck Botha

South African water artist Botha has a passion for the waves off the coast off Durban, from churning whitewash to clear blue perfection

Botha shot images such as this, which captures a wave breaking onshore in glistening sunlight, between April and July this year

The colour palate of the ocean, informed by the water, its depth and the impact of sunlight among other factors, is endless

Botha, also an avid surfer of these beautiful breaks, captures the colours and formations of the waves from above and below the surface.

'I enjoy the unique perspective of the waves and the water, a perspective that most people don't have the pleasure of experiencing from the beach sand,' he says.

'When taking photos, I love capturing the amazing colours that are created when the sunlight is reflected and refracted off the water.

'Each wave and each day is truly unique and has something special to offer.

Remarkably, Marck's photographic is yet to be his profession - his day job is as an online derivatives trader - but that is something the 28-year-old wants to change. And with scenes such as this, who can blame him. 

Botha, who has been surfing these breaks off the coast of Natal for more than 20 years, using his experience to get in the best positions

The 28-year-old captures the colours and formations of the waves as they rise and fall from above and below the surface

He says the perspective he gets from the water is something most people 'don't have the pleasure of experiencing from the beach sand'

'It's an amazing experience to be in the ocean, surrounded by its beauty, immersed in nature, and experiencing the raw power of the ocean as its waves beat relentlessly,' he says.

Marck's shots capture waves rising high with buildings dotted along the shoreline, while others capture unique perspectives of the surging forces of nature from underneath the water.

'I have incredible fun in the ocean capturing waves. When conditions are good, I find myself bubbling with energy and excitement, especially when I line up with a really great wave,' he says. 

For Botha, despite using his home breaks as his muse, 'each wave and each day is truly unique and has something special to offer'

The combination of the surf's beauty, being immersed in nature and the raw power of the ocean keep bringing Botha back

He says, as an artist, the most appealing element is 'the amazing colours created when the sunlight is reflected and refracted off the water'

'Excitement is often later mixed with some nerves - nerves that I may have had the angle of my shot off, or that water droplets clung to my lens.

'After racing home to check my footage, I'm normally pleasantly relieved and super stoked with what I have managed to capture.'

Marck's experience in the water, ever since he represented Natal at the South African Body boarding Championships as a 12-year-old, is a great advantage in helping him catch the perfect moments in often dangerous conditions for all of us to enjoy.

When most surfers line up a wave it's with the intention to ride it, but Botha finds himself 'bubbling with energy' about his next shot

Botha says he gets nervous about whether he did justice to the incredible scenes, but is usually 'pleasantly relieved and super stoked'

While many of Botha's images capture a truly recognisable scene, he often creates an other-worldy pattern like beautiful blown glass

Botha's prints are available for sale as the online derivatives trader bids to turn his photographic passion into his profession