The 129 BEST Ocean Quotes & Captions To Inspire Your Next Adventure

Yearning for some inspiration that only the ocean can provide? Look no further, because this is the best list of ocean quotes out there.

Who doesn’t love the ocean? Beautiful, mysterious and healing, our oceans have provided each of us with so much happiness and fond memories, and are so important to preserve.

And it should come as no surprise that for as long as words have been written down, the ocean has been a source of inspiration for many voices from history. Great writers, philosophers, religious leaders, celebrities and other figures have captured their thoughts about the ocean in beautiful words.

I’ve compiled the ultimate list of the 129 best quotes about the ocean for you to read and enjoy. Short quotes, famous quotes, inspiring quotes, movie quotes, Instagram captions and song lyrics – they’re all there.

And for something a little special, I have included many photos of oceans that I have taken across the world on my own travels, in places like Mexico, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Australia and many other corners of the world.

So without further ado…

The Best Quotes About The Ocean

There are thousands of special quotes about the ocean, but this selection are truly the best of the best. They transport you right to the shores of your favorite ocean in the blink of an eye.

1) “Humanity is like an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.” – Gandhi

2) “For her the ocean was more than a dream, it was a place she needed to visit to find herself. And when she returned to the city, you could see the sun in her eyes, the wind in her hair, and taste in the infinite salt on her lips.” – Jose Chaves

3) “There’s nothing more beautiful than the way the ocean refuses to stop kissing the shoreline, no matter how many times it’s sent away.” – Sarah Kay

4) “Your thoughts, feelings and sensations are the waves of the ocean – coming and going. There are big strong waves and there are soft gentle waves; they are all water and all part of the ocean.” – Rose-Marie Sorokin

5) “To me, the sea is a continual miracle; The fishes that swim–the rocks–the motion of the waves–the ships, with men in them, What stranger miracles are there?” – Walt Whitman

6) “There was a magic about the sea. People were drawn to it. People wanted to love by it, swim in it, play in it, look at it. It was a living thing that was as unpredictable as a great stage actor: it could be calm and welcoming, opening its arms to embrace its audience one moment, but then could explode with its stormy tempers, flinging people around, wanting them out, attacking coastlines, breaking down islands.” – Cecelia Ahern

7) “When anxious, uneasy and bad thoughts come, I go to the sea, and the sea drowns them out with its great wide sounds, cleanses me with its noise, and imposes a rhythm upon everything in me that is bewildered and confused.” – Rainer Maria Rilke

8) “The ocean has a life of its own. Its tides, whirlpools, currents and eddies are a testament to its conflicting emotions.” – Anthony T. Hincks

9) “Water seeks its own level. Look at them. The Tigris, the Euphrates, the Mississippi, the Amazon, the Yangtze. The world’s great rivers. And every one of them finds its way to the ocean.” – Alison McGhee

10) “Without water, our planet would be one of the billions of lifeless rocks floating endlessly in the vastness of the inky-black void.” – Fabien Cousteau

11) “The sea is emotion incarnate. It loves, hates, and weeps. It defies all attempts to capture it with words and rejects all shackles. No matter what you say about it, there is always that which you can’t.” – Christopher Paolini

12) “We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch – we are going back from whence we came.” – John F. Kennedy

13) “The universe is an ocean upon which we are the waves. While some decide to surf, others venture to dive.” – Charbel Tadros

14) “She loves the serene brutality of the ocean, loves the electric power she felt with each breath of wet, briny air.” – Holly Black

15) “The waves broke and spread their waters swiftly over the shore. One after another they massed themselves and fell; the spray tossed itself back with the energy of their fall.” – Virginia Woolf

16) “What would an ocean be without a monster lurking in the dark? It would be like sleep without dreams.” – Werner Herzog

17) “I could never stay long enough on the shore; the tang of the untainted, fresh, and free sea air was like a cool, quieting thought.” – Helen Keller

18) “The sea does not reward those who are too anxious, too greedy, or too impatient. One should lie empty, open, choiceless as a beach – waiting for a gift from the sea.” – Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Short Quotes About The Ocean

Sometimes, the most powerful quotes are simple, short and sweet. These short ocean quotes say so much, so succinctly.

19) “As the ocean is never full of water, so is the heart never full of love.” – Unknown

20) “Every time I slip into the ocean, it’s like going home.” – Sylvia Earle

21) “It’s out there at sea that you are really yourself.” – Vito Dumas

22) “Our memories of the ocean will linger on, long after our footprints in the sand are gone.” – Unknown

23) “There is nothing more enticing, disenchanting, and enslaving than the life at sea.” – Joseph Conrad

24) “Even the upper end of the river believes in the ocean.” – William Stafford

25) “I was happy anywhere I could see the ocean.” – Ai Yazawa

26) “Those who live by the sea can hardly form a single thought of which the sea would not be part.” – Hermann Broch

27) “The ocean is a mighty harmonist.” – William Wordsworth

28) “Ah, the smell of salt and sand. There is no elixir on this blessed earth like it.” – Unknown

29) “You’re not a wave, you’re a part of the ocean.” – Mitch Albom

30) “Eternity begins and ends with the ocean’s tides.” – Unknown

31) “There must be something strangely sacred in salt. It is in our tears and in the sea.” – Kahlil Gibran

32) “I go to the ocean to calm down, to reconnect with the creator, to just be happy.” – Nnedi Okorafor

33) “Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.” – Andre Gide

34) “The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” – Jacques Cousteau

35) “If you want to hear the distant voice of the ocean put your ear to the lips of a seashell.” – Curtis Tyrone Jones

36) “You can never turn your back on the ocean.” – Rip Torn

37) “The sea complains upon a thousand shores.” – Alexander Smith

38) “The ocean is a central image. It is the symbolism of a great journey.” – Enya

39) “I don’t know a single surfer who would say, ‘Gee, I wish there were no sharks in the ocean.” – Terri Irwin

40) “Water is the driving force in nature.” – Leonardo da Vinci

41) “A pool just isn’t the same as the ocean. It has no energy. No life.” – Linda Gerber

Inspiring Quotes About The Ocean

Craving some coastal inspiration? These inspiring ocean quotes are moving and uplifting, and oh so true.

42) “The ocean is this beautiful, unexplored place. Why on Earth everyone isn’t down there, I don’t know.” – Graham Hawkes

43) “The person you think of when you stand in front of the ocean. That’s the person you’re in love with.” – Colleen Michele

44) “At sea, I learned how little a person needs, not how much.” – Robin Lee Graham

45) “The beauty and mystery of the ocean, fills our lives with wonders, vast beyond our imagination.” – M. L. Borges

46) “I couldn’t imagine living in a state that didn’t reach the ocean. It was a giant reset button. You could go to the edge of the land and see infinity and feel renewed.” – Avery Sawyer

47) “I love the ocean. I’ve always liked the blue, so tranquil and peaceful and gliding. And the fear of it.” – Siouxsie Sioux

48) “The three great elemental sounds in nature are the sound of rain, the sound of wind in a primeval wood, and the sound of outer ocean on a beach.” – Henry Beston

49) “Waves are the voices of tides. Tides are life. They bring new food for shore creatures and take ships out to sea. They are the ocean’s pulse, and our own heartbeat.” – Tamora Pierce

50) “Why is it that scuba divers and surfers are some of the strongest advocates of ocean conservation? Because they’ve spent time in and around the ocean, and they’ve personally seen the beauty, the fragility, and even the degradation of our planet’s blue heart.” – Sylvia Earle

51) “Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless, like water. Be water, my friend.” – Bruce Lee

52) “I think I love the ocean because it’s calm, beautiful, infinite. But also angry, harsh, and magnificent. And that intrigues me.” – C.B.

53) “I love anything that involves the ocean. Swimming, snorkelling or surfing are all fun, which distracts from your mind that you are actually doing a workout. Being outdoors in the sun and the salt water is great for freeing your mind and feeling alive.” – Samantha Stosur

54) “‎I have always been fascinated by the ocean, to dip a limb beneath its surface and know that I’m touching eternity, that it goes on forever until it begins here again.” – Lauren DeStefano

55) “When people who love the ocean come together, they can achieve extraordinary things.” – Frances Beinecke

56) “Don’t underestimate the healing power of these three things: music, the ocean, and the stars.” – Unknown

57) “If the ocean can calm itself, so can you. We are both salt water mixed with air.” – Nayyirah Waheed

58) “To find the pearls in life’s ocean, you have to venture out far past the shore.” – Author Unknown

59) “We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.” – Mother Teresa

60) “Water is the softest of all things, yet it is the most powerful. The ocean patiently allows all things to flow into it. It is always flexible. The Tao is not about grasping, but allowing, like water.” – Wayne Dyer

Funny Quotes About The Ocean

A trip to the ocean can serve up some unexpected laughs, and these funny ocean quotes will too!

61) “Advice from the Ocean. Be shore of yourself. Come out of your shell. Take time to relax and coast. Avoid pier pressure. Sea life’s beauty. Don’t get tide down. Make waves!” – Unknown

62) “I hate beaches. All that sand up your crack and nowhere to pee apart from the ocean.” – Keira Knightley, The Hole

63) “The difference between a fairy tale and a sea tale? A fairy tale starts with “Once upon a time”. A sea tale starts with ”This ain’t no $hit!” – Edith Widder

64) “Boats, like whiskey, are all good.” – R. D. Culler

65) “Sun of a beach!” – Unknown

66) “To my crew: Please be reasonable and do it my way.” – The Captain, Rusty Mills

67) “I love the ocean. Boats, not so much.” – Jeff Goldblum

68) “I want a boat that drinks 6, eats 4, and sleeps 2.” – Earnest K. Gann

69) “If you need me, call me on my shell phone.”

Celebrity Quotes About The Ocean

Models, musicians, filmmakers and media personalities are just like us when it comes to their love for the ocean. These are some of the best celebrity ocean quotes that show just how much the saltwater of the sea means to them.

70) “You can either see yourself as a wave in the ocean or you can see yourself as the ocean.” – Oprah Winfrey

71) “Never underestimate the power of the ocean.” – Heidi Klum

72) “If I’m not on tour or in the studio, I’m in nature somewhere, usually some kind of ocean. Playing music has afforded me that. It’s not lost on me that it’s a tremendous opportunity to be able to spend your life being surrounded by nature.” – Eddie Vedder

73) “Every time you dive, you hope you’ll see something new – some new species. Sometimes the ocean gives you a gift, sometimes it doesn’t.” – James Cameron

74) “The ocean makes me feel really small and it makes me put my whole life into perspective… it humbles you and makes you feel almost like you’ve been baptized. I feel born again when I get out of the ocean.” – Beyoncé Knowles

75) “I pray to be like the ocean, with soft currents, maybe waves at times. More and more, I want the consistency rather than the highs and the lows.” – Drew Barrymore

76) “Surfing soothes me, it’s always been a kind of Zen experience for me. The ocean is so magnificent, peaceful, and awesome. The rest of the world disappears for me when I’m on a wave.” – Paul Walker

77) “When I forget how talented God is, I look to the sea.” – Whoopi Goldberg

78) “If you live a life of make-believe, your life isn’t worth anything until you do something that does challenge your reality. And to me, sailing the open ocean is a real challenge, because it’s life or death.” – Morgan Freeman

79) “I’m concerned about the ocean and the environment. And I love whales.” – Mayim Bialik

80) “Growing up in Hawaii, the ocean is where I’m most at home. When I’m away from it and landlocked I long for the ocean. There’s something about it, I’m at peace with it.” – Scott Eastwood

81) “I want to do everything I can in my own life to protect and preserve the ocean.” – Cody Simpson

82) “Either you decide to stay in the shallow end of the pool or you go out in the ocean.” – Christopher Reeve

83) “I like it when you’re under the ocean, and all you can feel is calm.” – Farrah Fawcett

84) “At night, when the sky is full of stars and the sea is still you get the wonderful sensation that you are floating in space.” – Natalie Wood

85) “Looking out at the ocean, it’s easy to feel small – and to imagine all your troubles, suddenly insignificant, slipping away. Earth’s seven oceans seem vast and impenetrable, but a closer look tells another story.” – Ted Danson

86) “I’m terrified of the ocean. I think it’s beautiful and magical, but I never go in. That deep, dark water, with no understanding of what goes on behind it – I think that’s a metaphor for a lot of things.” – David Harbour

Ocean Instagram Captions & Quotes

Don’t be lost for words when posting that summer beach snap or that island vacation throwback to the ‘Gram. These Instagram captions about the ocean are perfectly crafted to bring your shots to life.

87) “Ocean air, salty hair.”

88) “Long time, no sea.”

89) “The ocean made me salty.”

90) “Happiness comes in waves.”

91) “I need vitamin sea.”

92) “Let the sea set you free.”

93) “Namast’ay at the beach.”

94) “Stay wild, ocean child.”

95) “High tide or in low tide, I’ll be by your side.” – Bob Marley, High Tide Or Low Tide

96) “The ocean breeze puts my mind at ease.”

97) “High tides and good vibes.”

98) “The sand may brush off, the salt may wash clean, the tans may fade, but the memories will last forever.”

99) “I followed my heart, and it led me to the ocean.”

100) “Good times and tan lines.”

101) “I don’t wanna be tide down.”

102) “If there’s a will there’s a wave.”

103) “Sky above, sand below, peace within.”

104) “Seas the day.”

105) “Life is better in flip flops.”

Movie Quotes About The Ocean

Endless movies have been shot at – and set on – the ocean and that means there’s a whole lotta movies quotes about the ocean to make you laugh, cry and reminisce. These are some of the best.

106) “A woman’s heart is a deep ocean of secrets.” – Titanic

107) “You know, the ocean. The big blue wet thing.” – Muppet Treasure Island

108) “Fish pee in you… all day.” – Moana

109) “We’ll be living in all the oceans now.” – Natural Born Killers

110) “The ocean is not just our home, it is who we are.” – Aquaman

111) “Now bring me that horizon.” – Pirates of the Caribbean

112) “Andy: You know what the Mexicans say about the Pacific? Red: No. Andy: They say it has no memory. That’s where I want to live the rest of my life. A warm place with no memory.” – The Shawshank Redemption

113) “We’re stuck in the middle of the ocean!” – Open Water

114) “Anywhere you go, desire is desire. The sun cannot bleach it, nor the tide wash it away.” – The Beach

115) “Wade Wilson: I loved her. I loved her like an ocean loves water. Weasel: An ocean is water.” – Deadpool 2

116) “Just keep swimming.” – Finding Nemo

117) “WILSON!!!!” – Castaway

Song Lyrics About The Ocean

The ocean is just as much as source for memorable lyrics as it is quotes. Some of the greatest names in music have written about their love of the deep blue abyss, and you’re sure to recognise a few of these song lyrics about the ocean.

118) “Even castles made from sand fall to the ocean.” – Jimi Hendrix, Castles Made From Sand

119) “I’ve been watching you / For some time / Can’t stop staring at those ocean eyes.” – Billy Eilish, Ocean Eyes

120) “My Bonnie lies over the ocean / My Bonnie lies over the sea / My Bonnie lies over the ocean / Oh bring back my Bonnie to me.” – The Beatles, My Bonnie

121) “There’s an ocean pouring from my eyes / Build a boat and catch the rising ride / I’m so over yesterday / Now just watch me sail away / On this ocean.” – Pixie Lott, Ocean

122) “In high seas or in low seas, I’m gonna be your friend / I’m gonna be your friend / In high tide or in low tide / I’ll be by your side / I’ll be by your side.” – Bob Marley, High Tide Or Low Tide

123) “Smell the sea, and feel the sky / let your soul and spirits fly.” – Van Morrison, Brand New Day

124) “I’m the ocean / I’m the ocean / I’m the giant undertow / I’m the ocean / I’m the giant undertow.” – Neil Young, I’m The Ocean

125) “Just send your heartbeat / I’ll go to the blue ocean floor / Where they find us no more / On that blue ocean floor.” – Justin Timberlake, Blue Ocean Floor

126) “On the island, we do it island style / From the mountain to the ocean from the windward to the leeward side.” – Jack Johnson, Island Style

127) “Talk to me, baby / I’m going blind from this sweet-sweet craving / Whoa-oh / Let’s lose our minds and go fucking crazy / Ah ya ya ya ya / I keep on hoping we’ll eat cake by the ocean.” – DNCE, Cake By The Ocean

128) “Life’s an ocean / Too much commotion / Too much emotion / Dragging me down / Living for today / Don’t have time to pray…” – The Verve, Life’s An Ocean

129) “And as day breaks over the ocean / Moonlight still on the sea / I pray the waves’ gentle motion / Will bring my baby to me.” – The Beach Boys, Daybreak Over The Ocean

Did I miss any of the best ocean quotes?

There are – unsurprisingly – thousands of quotes about the ocean out there. If I added them all to this list I would be compiling it for the rest of my life! However, if I’ve missed any great ocean quotes you think deserve to make the list – or you have any other travel questions or concerns – reach out to me via my social media channels or directly at my email.

Need some oceanside travel inspiration?

All inspired by these beautiful ocean quotes and now planning your own coastal escape? I’ve cherry picked the best content from my blog that will give you some ideas on destinations by the ocean that you will definitely want to visit!

Thanks for reading my list of the best ocean quotes!

Share this Ocean Quotes list with your water lovin’ crew!