The ocean covers 70% of the Earth's surface, and remains unknown and mysterious to mankind at the same time. People may dive into a wonderful world without armour and submarines with the help of photos: taken in different parts of the world, at different depths and from different angles, they spill the beans — what it is, an unknown sea and ocean life.

The Ocean Art Underwater Photo Contest, a prestigious contest, is held with support of the magazine Underwater Photography Guide, promoting underwater photography among professionals and amateurs. The prize fund totaled $80,000 is divided among the winners in 16 categories, in which the jury noted both the uniqueness of a captured moment and technical side of the issue.

In 2018, representatives from 70 countries took part in the competition. I suggest admiring the works of the best out of the best in different categories, and a Grand Prix winner photo will be at the end of the article.

"Nemo" by Matteo Visconti. Specially mentioned by the jury in the category of "Portrait".

"Paddle Boarders Sunset" by Grant Thomas. The second place in the category of "Wide-Angle".

"Two Worlds Collide" by Jordan Robins. The second place in the category of "Underwater Art".

"Atlantic Spotted Dolphins" by Eugene Kitsios. The first place in the category of "Mirrorless Wide-Angle".

"Croc in the Mist" by Christina Barringer. The second place in the category of "Portrait".

"Frosted Pearl" by Bettina Balnis. The third place in the category of "Nudibranchs".

"Open Eyes" by Doris Vierkötter. The third place in the category of "Portrait".

"Ancistrocheirus" by Jeff Milisen. The first place in the category of "Macro".

"Curiosity" by Kyler Badten. Specially mentioned by the jury in the category of "Portrait".

"Discovering the Hidden Face of Yucatan" by Guillaume Néry. The third place in the category of "Underwater Art".

"Face to Face" by Mirko Zanni. The fifth place in the category of "Portrait".

"Smile of a Friend" by Antonio Pastrana. The second place in the category of "Novice DSLR".

"Shot on the Sheep" by Chun Ho Tam. Specially mentioned by the jury in the category of "Nudibranchs".

"Cannibal Crab" by PT Hirschfield. The first place in the category of " Compact Marine Life Behavior".

"Eclipse" by Edwar Herreno. The fifth place in the category of " Wide-Angle".

"Two Inquisitive Friends" by Celia Kujala. The third place in the category of "Wide-Angle".

"Roar" by Zhang Jinggong. Specially mentioned by the jury in the category of "Portrait".

"No No!" by Pier Main. The third place in the category of "Mirrorless Wide-Angle".

"Gentle Giants" by François Baelen. The first place in the category of "Wide-Angle".

"Sunsplit" by Tobias Friedrich. The second place in the category of "Reescapes".

"Burst" by Tyler Schiffman. The second place in the category of "Coldwater".

"Best of Show" of the Ocean Art Underwater Photo Contest 2018
"Devil Ray Ballet" by Duncan Murrell. The photographer managed to capture three sea devils frolicking in the marriage dance. It is a unique perfomance: two males fighting for the attention of a female, and a soft diffused light underlines smooth gracefulness of their movements.