Spectacular cliff-diving: a head for heights at Phi Phi Island – in pictures

Artem Silchenko of Russia stretches on the beach at Maya Bay in the Andaman Sea during the final stop of the 2013 Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series at Phi Phi Island, Thailand Photograph: Red Bull via Getty Images

Alain Kohl of Luxembourg braces himself for landing after a leap from the 27-metre platform at Maya Bay Photograph: Handout/Red Bull via Getty Images

Spot the dare-devil: Blake Aldridge of the UK plummets towards the sea from a 26-metre rock Photograph: Red Bull via Getty Images

As if the dive itself wasn't scary enough: Michal Navratil of the Czech Republic prepares to launch an armstand dive from 27 metres while other divers climb some precarious-looking ladders to reach the platform Photograph: Red Bull via Getty Images

Another fantastically elegant dive from Aldridge, this time from the 25-metre rock at Viking Caves Photograph: Red Bull via Getty Images

Steven LoBue of the USA eyes his landing as he dives from the 25-metre rock at Viking Caves Photograph: Red Bull via Getty Images

This shot, taken from beneath the surface of the water, shows Navratil as he dives from the 27-metre platform Photograph: Red Bull via Getty Images

Is it a bird? Mat Cowen of the UK dives from the 27-metre platform Photograph: Red Bull via Getty Images

David Colturi of the USA plunges from a 25-metre rock at Viking Caves Photograph: Red Bull via Getty Images

Anatoliy Shabotenko of the Ukraine prepares for entry after a dive from the 26-metre rock at Wang Long Bay Photograph: Red Bull via Getty Images