The winners of the 7th annual Ocean Art Underwater Photo Contest have been revealed.

The awards showcase the best in underwater photography and shine a light on what lurks in the depths of the sea.

The prestigious awards see over $80,000 in prizes being awarded to the winning photographers.

The darkest depths of the ocean remain a mystery to most of us — a world very few people get to experience.

However, thanks to intrepid divers armed with expert cameras, we can get a flavour of what lurks below.

The winners of the 7th annual Ocean Art Underwater Photo Contest have just been announced, and the photos are incredibly striking.

They offer a fascinating insight into the creatures of the deep, capturing everything from dolphins to turtles interacting with the camera.

Read more: 25 breathtaking underwater photos

Over $80,000 in prizes have been awarded across 16 different categories, including Wide Angle, Marine Life Behavior, Portrait, Cold Water, and Underwater Art, making the Ocean Art prize value among the highest in the world.

Scroll down to see the breathtaking winners, along with some of our favourite shots from the competition.