Diana Nyad's successful Cuba-Florida swim - in pictures

US long-distance swimmer Diana Nyad arrives on 31 August to begin her latest attempt at swimming to Florida from Havana Photograph: Enrique De La Osa/Reuters

Diana prepares for the 103-mile swim in the dangerous stretch of sea known for sharks, jellyfish and sudden violent storms Photograph: Yamil Lage/AFP/Getty Images

She fixes her hat on for what she said would be her final attempt to make the distance Photograph: Ramon Espinosa/AP

With her goggles firmly adjusted, Nyad prepares to become the first person to swim from Cuba to the Florida Keys without a protective shark cage Photograph: Enrique De La Osa/Reuters

This is her fifth attempt to make the crossing, which on previous occasions has almost cost the endurance athlete her life Photograph: Ernesto Mastrascusa/Getty Images

Taking the plunge! Photograph: Yamil Lage/AFP/Getty Images

'If in three days from now, four days from now, I am still somehow bringing the arms up and I see the shore … I am going to have a feeling that no one yet on this planet has ever had,' Nyad said before beginning the journey Photograph: Ernesto Mastrascusa/Getty Images

Positioned about two miles off Key West, Florida, Diana is escorted by kayakers as she swims towards the finishing point of her 110-mile journey Photograph: Andy Newman/AP

Nyad talks with her crew less than two miles from her destination Photograph: Andy Newman/AP

A teammate waits anxiously at the shore Photograph: J Pat Carter/AP

She's done it! At 64, Diana Nyad has become the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida without a shark cage Photograph: Andrew Innerarity/Reuters

Teammates hold back the crowd as Nyad catches her breath Photograph: J Pat Carter/AP

Crowds applaud as Nyad walks ashore Photograph: Andrew Innerarity/Reuters

The swimmer and her friend Bonnie Stoll are swarmed by excited onlookers Photograph: Andrew Innerarity/Reuters