Advertisements The Ocean Art Underwater Photo Contest is organized by the Underwater Photography Guide. This year, there have been submissions from 78 countries, and there have been $85,000 in sponsor prizes awarded to the winners. Other than the sixteen categories we knew from previous contests, there have been two new categories this year: conservation and blackwater diving. Even though they’ve only been introduced this year, they had an overwhelming response and there were lots of magnificent photos submitted.

Among the eighteen category winners, the jury also selected the overall winner, or “The Best of Show.” This year’s award went to Greg Lecoeur with his image of a crab-eater seal maneuvering quickly through freezing waters under Antarctic ice. His image was also selected as the category winner in the Coldwater category. Choosing 2019 winners was not an easy task for the jury since both the quality and the quantity of images is on the rise. But, they chose the top five images and two honorable mentions in each category and they sure made a selection of stunning underwater photos. Take a look at the rest of the winning images below. We bring you the first place winners, but make sure to check out the entire gallery on the Underwater Photography Guide’s website.

2019 Ocean Art Contest winners show the incredible beauty and diversity of the underwater world - 682019 Ocean Art Contest winners show the incredible beauty and diversity of the underwater world - 532019 Ocean Art Contest winners show the incredible beauty and diversity of the underwater world - 412019 Ocean Art Contest winners show the incredible beauty and diversity of the underwater world - 922019 Ocean Art Contest winners show the incredible beauty and diversity of the underwater world - 82019 Ocean Art Contest winners show the incredible beauty and diversity of the underwater world - 42019 Ocean Art Contest winners show the incredible beauty and diversity of the underwater world - 542019 Ocean Art Contest winners show the incredible beauty and diversity of the underwater world - 102019 Ocean Art Contest winners show the incredible beauty and diversity of the underwater world - 862019 Ocean Art Contest winners show the incredible beauty and diversity of the underwater world - 672019 Ocean Art Contest winners show the incredible beauty and diversity of the underwater world - 512019 Ocean Art Contest winners show the incredible beauty and diversity of the underwater world - 932019 Ocean Art Contest winners show the incredible beauty and diversity of the underwater world - 612019 Ocean Art Contest winners show the incredible beauty and diversity of the underwater world - 41