Chilling Photos That Will Make You Fear The Ocean1
The ocean is one hell of a scary place. It makes up two thirds of our planet, hence the name the Blue Planet. But we know so little about the depths of the ocean, simply because we can’t reach its deepest depths. Explorers are constantly finding new species, each one more bizarre than the last. For the deep-sea creatures that we do know about, there’s a fortune to fear. But besides the animals that lurk in the waters’ depths (and shallows, who are we kidding), the ocean itself is a powerful beast that can tear through entire cities and destroy them. These pictures will give you the chills, because they are truly frightening!
When we think of natural disasters, hurricanes and tsunamis are high up on the list. The sheer force of a tsunami is more than just a strong wave crashing into your body as you’re taking an afternoon swim. Tsunamis move with such speed and force that they become like solid rock as they rip through structures as if they were paper. Most people get confused and believe that tsunamis and tidal waves are the same thing, but they’re not, trust me.
If we take a dip into the ocean, going further down than just the surface, we slowly find ourselves meeting ocean dwellers that look nothing like the fish we see at our local aquarium. While some of them are beautiful creatures, there are others that are hideous and downright frightening. But just so you know, it’s the beautiful ones we should generally be careful of. Gorgeous octopi, spectacular lionfish and mesmerizing jellyfish are only some of the many creatures we marvel at oblivious to the fact that they could kill us.
And then of course there are sharks. Dum dum, dum dum, dum dum… you get it. Jaws! They rule the seas, well at least many parts of them. With over 440 shark species that we know about out there, we can all agree that the sea is definitely not our home. And Whales? Don’t even get me started.
The pictures you see here will make you realize that we’re only visitors in the vast ocean. If you ever need reminding of that fact, trust me, there are enough photos here to drive the message home.
Cage Fight
Who wouldn’t want to go cage diving with sharks? Well, what if I told you that the sharks actually come into the cage? What would you say then? Yeah, it doesn’t happen often, but when it does it could be the last thrill ride you ever get to take part in.
Cage Fight
The Underworld
This actually looks like a picture right out of a fantasy movie, but this is real. There are water caves under the Earth’s surface and they are chilling to the core. Talk about eerie.
The Underworld
What Lurks Beneath
There’s nothing like going out on the water for a little bit of alone time with your kayak. But who said you’re alone? That shark swimming up behind you certainly doesn’t believe that you’re all by yourself.
What Lurks Beneath
Sea Snakes
No, this is not a microscopic close-up of the hairs on a balding man’s head. This is a seabed full of wonderful (and super dangerous) sea snakes. And if you were wondering, no, they’re not attached to the sea floor.
Sea Snakes
Just A Humpback Whale
A humpback whale might be a mammal, but it is more than happy to spend most of its time under the surface of the ocean. This diver managed to get a close-up with this giant, and we believe he even came back unharmed.
Just A Humpback Whale
No Air
Does free-diving seem like a sport you’d like to try? Diving without any breathing apparatuses seems like a risky sport if you ask me, but more and more people are trying it.
No Air
Jellyfish Trouble
This is the Lion’s Mane jellyfish. I hope you’re not wondering where the name came from; it’s kind of self-explanatory. The massive fish has stingers that can extend as far as 20 feet which is quite a lot longer than the height of the average human – 5 feet.
Jellyfish Trouble
Whale Shark
Trust me when I say that what you’re seeing is NOT a small fish. That is a whale shark, the biggest shark out there. There’s less to worry about since it is generally harmless to humans.
Whale Shark
Reflection And Ray
The best way to reflect on oneself might be in the stillness of a calm ocean. Another way might be to meditate with another creature of the deep, like let’s saaaay, a stingray?
Reflection And Ray
Cave Of Death
Is this not the most eerie sign to find when diving in the depths of an ocean cave? I can certainly say that I would take this warning very seriously.
Cave Of Death
Creepy Crawlies
Sea snakes? The Loch Ness monster? Dreadlocks from a drowned Rastafarian? Nope, nope and nope. What you’re looking at is an entanglement of seaweed creeping up a wave. I can’t say I’d want to be swimming there.
Creepy Crawlies
Jacob’s Well
If you’re visiting Texas, you should probably take a trip down to Jacob’s Well… and from there you can take another trip down… way down – 4,500 feet down actually! While it seems like a beautiful spot to explore, 8 people have lost their lives pushing themselves past the point of no return.
Jacob’s Well
Sea Centipede
We’re pretty sure that this isn’t a fake mustache. What it could be is a centipede that has found a new life at sea. It’s rather big and rather scary, can you imagine that brushing up on your leg while you’re swimming?
Sea Centipede
For Real?
No-one knows if this picture is real or not, but I would really like to believe that it isn’t. If it is real, folks, we’re in some major trouble.
For Real?
Not What You Want To See
We have no doubt that this is not what a surfer wants to see just before mounting his board. Surely he got straight on out of there on the first wave that came next.
Not What You Want To See
Vampire Squid
Nope, this is not a made-up name or a made-up animal. The vampire squid is very much real and it is very much a scary creature that you don’t want to swim up to in the ocean.
Vampire Squid
Tsunami
There are many perks of living at the coast. The clean air, the ocean breeze, the wonderful temperature and cool waters when you want to have a swim. But then there are the occasional tsunamis that destroy entire coastlines and kill thousands of people.
Tsunami
Brave Surfer
During a surfing competition in South Africa, Australian surfer Mick Fanning found himself being attacked by a great white shark. Luckily for him he punched the shark and managed to rescue himself.
Brave Surfer
Time To Get Out
Here’s another fine sunny day at the beach. But shallow waters are the perfect hunting grounds for sharks. These sharks might look small and somewhat harmless, but I wouldn’t suggest giving them a try.
Time To Get Out
Underwater Waterfall
Yes, there’s actually such thing as an underwater waterfall. This beautiful but dangerous work of nature can be found off the island of Mauritius. Talk about a natural wonder!
Underwater Waterfall
The Blobfish
This is one sad looking fella. The blobfish looks nothing like a fish and everything like a blob. He may not be the scariest thing you’ll find in the sea, but he certainly isn’t the Mona Lisa.
The Blobfish
Perfect Timing
Whoever took this photograph deserves a prize. Just a second later this great white shark, which happens to be the most dangerous shark in the world, came up for its prey.
Perfect Timing
Thailand Tsunami
In 2004, a devastating tsunami took South-east Asia by surprise and claimed the lives of more than 170,000 people. The extent of the underwater earthquake that caused it, sent huge waves all the way to the coasts of East Africa.
Thailand Tsunami
Death At Sea
You’ve heard of the expression “burial at sea”, but that’s usually when the bodies are taken out to sea. This is not quite the same thing – the ocean seems to have come to get the bodies.
Death At Sea
Massive Waves
When you swim out a few meters to catch some “big waves”, remember this picture. Massive ways have the ability to capsize ships, nevermind drag you out to sea.
Massive Waves
Don’t Blink
Out of all the things you could do in the ocean, swimming near a great white shark is perhaps one of the last things you should do. This woman hopefully got away safely.
Don’t Blink
Flying Whale
it’s a bird, it’s a plane… no iiiit’s Superman. No, it’s a flying whale. Here’s something you don’t see everyday, and it’s probably a blessing that you don’t.
Flying Whale
8 Reasons To Swim Away
Octopi are pretty creatures, but they are really dangerous! Many divers have swum into problems when these undersea animals attached themselves to divers and rip off their diving equipment. Pretty dangerous, I’d say.
8 Reasons To Swim Away
Nose Job Shark
So he might not be the most attractive fish in the sea, but this shark is still a fish charmer. As far as humans go, I’m not sure if he’s all that welcome.
Nose Job Shark
Leopard Seal
This leopard seal looks kind of cute, wouldn’t you say? But imagine getting nipped by this guy… yeah, you’d basically be bleeding out in no time, and bleeding out in the middle of the ocean is never a good idea.
Leopard Seal
Great White
Whoever is swimming above this great white shark is either about to become the luckiest or the unluckiest person in the ocean at this moment. Let’s hope for the former.
Great White
Be Safe
Eels are not the safest fish in the sea. This diver found that out the hard way, and he’s going to have a scar to remind him of this diving adventure of his.
Be Safe
Sucking It In
Is this an underwater vacuum cleaner? Nope, this is a whale shark and it is (hopefully) not going to swallow this curious diving photographer who’s about a meter away from him.
Sucking It In
Double The Size
We saw his picture earlier in this article, so can we guess that his fate was positive? Maybe there’s another picture of the aftermath. Just look at that size comparison.
Double The Size
Lava And Ocean
What could possibly be more frightening than an angry ocean meeting with an exploding volcano? The lava spilling out into the water could potentially create new earth.
Lava And Ocean
When You See It
Oh look, there’s a little boat drifting through the calm seas… oh wait. That is a massive blue whale lurking beneath a boat that isn’t as small as you thought.
When You See It
Even Deeper
It really takes a set of steel ones to make this dive without an oxygen tank. This person has already dived to a depth most people don’t swim at, but going into that dark underwater hole is too much for me.
Even Deeper
Basking Shark
The basking shark doesn’t have much to do with his distant cousin, the great white shark. Although the two love themselves a mouthful of food, the great white prefers a set of teeth to chew down on it.
Basking Shark
Feeding Whales
I’d say a good sign that there are plenty fish where you’re fishing is a family of humpback whales chasing dinner. Those whales could easily swallow this tiny fishing boat.
Feeding Whales
Don’t Touch It
It’s as beautiful as a summer’s day, but I really don’t think you should touch it. The incredible extent of jellyfish species is still shocking scientists.
Don’t Touch It
Too Close For Comfort
A little bit of sightseeing, they said. But they did not mention close encounters with the ocean’s largest shark. Talk about a story for the grandchildren.
Too Close For Comfort
Just Look At That Size
We’ve all seen how massive ships are above the water, but how many people have seen what they look like underneath? This diver looks like a toy soldier compared to the enormous turbine of this ship.
Just Look At That Size
Between Mother And Calf
A good lesson in nature is to never come between a mother and her baby. This free-diver not only risked his life by swimming up close to this humpback whale and her calf, but he also did so without any diving equipment.
Between Mother And Calf
Looks Cute
My, what a cute child this is. And then you see the dark underworld of the deep water underneath his legs. It gives me the chills just imagining what could be under there.
Looks Cute
Dark Dolphin
Dolphins are sweet, right? They’re cute and playful, right? Not if you saw this one swimming up to you as the sun started to set. Brrrr!
Dark Dolphin
Hope For The Best
When you’re in this position you can only hope that this whale is going to swim under your boat. After that you can hope for a good picture.
Hope For The Best
Shark Paradise
So you’re out for a dive in the ocean and then you look up and see this. What do you do? Talk about a frightening sight.
Shark Paradise
A Speck
You might want to take a second look at this picture. What you’re seeing is a person dropping into the ocean. Can you imagine just how deep the ocean can be, I mean look at that little speck of humanity.
A Speck
On The Ray-dar
This is the moment you thank god that stings rays don’t fly. Then you thank him for the fact that you’re ON the boat and not in the water.
On The Radar
Lucky Shot
Australia is home to some of the wildest and weirdest creatures both on land and under the sea. In 1964, Robert Serrec, a French photographer, managed to snap a pretty crazy picture. To this day we aren’t sure if this “sea snake” creature at Hook Island on the Queensland coast is real or not. I’d rather not find out.
Luck Shot
A Deep Grave
We’re all up (down) for a little adventure, aren’t we? Well when it comes to Blue Springs Vent in Florida, some people may have gotten carried away. The deep crevice under water has swallowed 12 people already, and yet curious divers still make trips to this site.
A Deep Grave
Dream Or Nightmare
If you’re a surfer, you can look at this photograph and wish you were here. But for the rest of the population… Wow! That wave is mighty large and it could do some damage to an inexperienced surfer.
Dream Or Nightmare
Summer Job
What would you say if someone offered you a job manning this lighthouse? What’s the big deal? They’ll send you there by helicopter…
Summer Job
Terrifying
I totally get it that “school” can be scary, but this is a pretty scary school. Only a brave photographer would get up this close to catch a shot like this!
Terrifying
Who Lives In A Yellow Submarine?
“This isn’t scary at all,” said no-one ever when they came across this abandoned submarine. Is this perhaps the yellow submarine that “we all live in”?
Who Lives In A Yellow Submarine?
From A Different Era
Did you know that to this day many souvenirs from the Second World War are popping up? This one didn’t quite “pop up”, but it is a WWII-era relic that gains a lot of attention.
From A Different Era
Exploring The Depths
That little figure in the middle? Yeah, that’s a diver enjoying a beautiful diving expedition in the depths of the ocean, surrounded by massive underwater boulders.
Exploring The Depths
When You See It
When you first take a look, what do you see? Not much, that’s for sure. But when you take a closer inspection, you see something else. Did you see it?
When You See It
Under Antarctica
When the ice caps start melting, we start to find some interesting things. No, you aren’t looking at the Titanic, but you are looking at a sunken yacht near Antarctica.
Under Antarctica
Are They Real?
These creepy underwater sculptures are actually art pieces. I can’t imagine being too thrilled when finding these while swimming out in the dark ocean all alone.
Are They Real
Minute Snorkler
What a beautiful and eerie view this is. Taken from underneath him, a snorkler just grazes the top of the water – nothing but a tiny dot in the vast ocean.
Minute Snorkler
Freedive Devil
It takes something special to be able to dive so deep without any air. But can you imagine how scary it must be to do so when it’s so dark? I just got the chills myself.
Freedive Devil
Underwater River
What you’re seeing right now is not a man floating in mid-air at the bottom left of the picture. This is what an underwater river looks like. To me it looks like the perfect set for a zombie movie.
Underwater River
Would You Have A Seat?
Now who would have ever thought that a chair in the middle of the ocean floor would be so creepy? But there it is, folks. Creepy as heck!
Would You Have A Seat?
Nuked Fish
These 8-foot catfish were spotted in the water near Chernobyl. Do you think there could be a connection between their size and the Chernobyl disaster? Hmmmm…
Nuked Fish
Man O War
Yet another beautiful creature that has the potential to do some serious harm. The Man O’ War “jellyfish” sometimes looks like a plastic bag floating on the ocean’s surface, but underneath, its tentacles are ready to sting, and believe me, you don’t want them near you.
Man O War
Massive Wave
The waves we see crashing on the beach are nothing compared to the massive waves out at sea. Some are so huge that they can capsize massive ships like a pastry chef flips a pancake.
Massive Wave
What Was That?
Ooooh, nobody likes having something touch them under the water. This woman’s second worst nightmare came to life when an unidentified creature rubbed past her legs in the water. Let’s just hope her worst nightmare didn’t follow.
What Was That?
Thalassophobia Or Claustrophobia?
Tell me, do you have a fear of the sea, or do you have a fear of closed spaces? Perhaps you have both, but this diver certainly doesn’t have either.
Thalassophobia Or Claustrophobia?
Surf Faster
When you’re windsurfing and a massive whale is swimming underneath you, what do you do? You pray your hardest that a super strong wind is going to sweep you away.
Surf Faster
And Then This
You’re taking a casual diving trip under the sea, and you see this… what do you think? And then, what do you do? Who even knows what this is?!
And Then This
Stalking The Police
Even the police are subject to harassment in the big blue. They’re Australian police officers, they’re probably used to this kind of thing.
Stalking The Police
Wall Of Water
This is absolutely NOT photoshopped! That is an actual wave (or should we say “wall of water”) that doesn’t seem to stop growing. Would you even be able to ride that thing?
Wall Of Water
Caught Fishing
It was a pleasant day to go out fishing… emphasis on the word WAS. This shark got caught in the fishing nets and he was not ready to let go without a fight.
Caught Fishing
Photo Roll
A group of friends went out surfing and took their waterproof camera along with them. After the day ended, they took a look at the pictures they snapped, and this was one of them.
Photo Roll
A Visitor
After heavy rains and huge waves, the city was flooded. But not without a visitor that came to inspect where the river had dragged him.
A Visitor
Is It A Rock?
Go on, just hop onto that rock. Actually, don’t do that at all. That is definitely not a rock, but it is something else I can’t identify.
Is It A Rock?
Hammerhead Sharks
They might not have the most beautiful heads, but hammerhead sharks have incredible personalities. Jokes, I have no idea about that. What I do know is that you should avoid swimming right here, right now.
Hammerhead Sharks
Angler Fish
Oh look at this beaut! The angler fish is one of the smart predators of the deep blue. Using a small light protruding from their foreheads, they trick smaller fish into thinking that they’re going to get a meal, and in some way they will. That meal just happens to consist of them as the main course.
Angler Fish