Is anything on Earth more mystical or marvelous than the ocean? Definitely not, but books about the sea are a close second. In fact, reading about the ocean is the next best thing to exploring it first-hand.
Whether you prefer nonfiction about ocean exploration and marine biology, or novels that whisk you away on seafaring adventures, these ocean books will open your eyes to the wonders that live in the water.
If you’re looking for enlightenment, I recommend starting with Atlantic by Simon Winchester, who’s one of the greatest nonfiction writers of our time. Or, if you prefer an enchanting escape with an ocean setting, dive into The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See. Of course, if you love the ocean as much as most, any title on this list is a fantastic choice.
1. The Brilliant Abyss by Helen Scales
Though the ocean covers over 70% of our planet, it’s still largely a mystery to us. Scales, a marine biologist and author (Spirals in Time) explores countless underwater species and ecosystems, including ones only recently discovered and that are still misunderstood.
Like any notable book about the sea, The Brilliant Abyss also highlights the dangers climate change, overfishing, and other human-caused issues pose to the ocean — and the planet.
2. Song for the Blue Ocean by Carl Safina
Ecologist Safina hones in on the damage already done to the ocean and what could happen if we continue to ravage and pollute it.
Song for the Blue Ocean is a deep-sea exploration and a travelog in one, with Safina moving between continents to interview local fisherman, farmers, and others who play a part in and will be significantly affected by the loss of oceanic ecosystems. The result is a revelation and a call to action.
3. The Sea Around Us by Rachel Carson
This National Book Award-winning work is an eloquent and captivating dive into the world’s ocean basins and their profound impact on our planet. From the history of the ocean’s formation to more recent scientific discoveries, The Sea Around Us reveals how this great blue expanse is formidable yet fragile.
Carson, one of the most noteworthy marine biologists and conservationists of the 20th century, brings the natural world to life with scientific rigor and poetic flair. Follow this read with Carson’s The Edge of the Sea.
4. Atlantic by Simon Winchester
Atlantic is Winchester’s “biography” of the Atlantic Ocean. With detail, humor, and personal anecdotes, the renowned author covers how the sea was formed millions of years ago, humankind’s earliest sea explorations, maritime warfare, and how pollution and overfishing threaten the waters we hold so dear.
It’s easily the most comprehensive look at one of the world’s seas on this list, and a highly engrossing one at that.
5. The Blue Wonder by Frauke Bagusche
Magnificent, whimsical, wild, and dangerous — all words fitting of the “blue wonder” and its inhabitants. Bagusche, a biologist and deep-sea diver, has seen many of these marvels first-hand, and she paints a vivid picture of her explorations. Whether the ocean fascinates or frightens you, this engrossing book brings every wonder to life.
6. Into the Planet by Jill Heinerth
Heinerth, a world-renowned ocean cave diver, delivers an exhilarating memoir about sea exploration. Into the Planet brims with passion, with the author’s reverence on full display through thrilling storytelling. Not only does Heinerth discuss her underwater discoveries, but she also recounts the challenges of making a name for herself in a male-dominated industry.
7. The Reef by Iain McCalman
The Great Barrier Reef off the northeastern coast of Australia — the largest coral reef in the world — abounds with symbiotic life and vibrant color. McCalman reports on this Natural Wonder of the World, from Captain Cook’s first encounter in 1770 to present-day concerns about climate change, sharing every scientific and historical fact as an adventurous romp through saltwater realms.
8. What a Fish Knows by Jonathan Balcombe
Fish make up over half of all vertebrates, but they’re largely misunderstood. Balcombe seeks to change that in What a Fish Knows, blending scientific facts with engaging stories about fish behavior, relationships, thoughts, and feelings.
This is an eye-opening read that will challenge the way you think about the ocean’s inhabitants — many of which are treated inhumanely in modern-day fishing practices.
9. The Secret Life of Lobsters by Trevor Corson
In this often funny, highly informative exposé, Corson takes readers to Maine’s Little Cranberry Island, where lobstermen and women earn a living by fishing for one of our most popular delicacies.
But the author doesn’t stop there: He goes on to explore the sea bugs themselves, revealing their life cycles and the latest discoveries that build a broader picture of their experiences. The Secret Life of Lobsters also covers the continued battle against overfishing and the effects it has on our oceans.
10. War of the Whales by Joshua Horwitz
Cetology (the study of whales), detective work, and courtroom drama — this PEN Award-winner has it all.
Beginning in 2000, Horwitz recounts the search for answers after discovering an inordinate amount of beached whales along the coasts of the Bahamas, eventually uncovering the cause: military sonar developed during the Cold War. From there we see a high-stakes battle between the Navy and environmental activists determined to protect some of the ocean’s most incredible species.
11. The Soul of an Octopus by Sy Montgomery
No one intrigues or inspires quite as much as author, naturalist, and animal-lover Montgomery. The Soul of an Octopus is an education on — and a love letter to — one of the most clever and emotionally intelligent animals in the sea. As in all of her books, Montgomery isn’t afraid to go all-in, exploring alongside the octopuses while showing the utmost respect.
12. The Book of Eels by Patrik Svensson
Svensson intertwines personal narratives about fishing for eels with his father with chapters on what we know about eels (not a whole lot) and analysis on how eels have been portrayed throughout the years in popular culture. Like its subjects, The Book of Eels is a wondrous, mysterious, captivating mix.
13. The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See
See’s meticulously researched story of female friendship is rooted in a love for the ocean. Spanning decades, The Island of Sea Women is a fictionalized account of the history of haenyeo: women divers on the Korean island of Jeju.
Young-sook and Mi-ja, two haenyeos, have their relationship (and more) torn apart by multiple wars, and they struggle to heal through the decades.
14. Life of Pi by Yann Martel
The ocean is undoubtedly daunting — so imagine being adrift with one of the world’s fiercest predators.
Our inspiring protagonist Pi Patel is the only (human) survivor after the ship carrying his family’s zoo sinks. He lives at sea for nearly nine months alongside a tiger, but when he finally washes ashore and tells his fantastical story, the reader must decide what’s true and what’s allegory.
15. The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
This short classic from Hemingway about an old man trying to catch a magnificent marlin and pass his wisdom on to a young boy evokes the sights, sounds, and smells of the ocean. It also demonstrates great respect for the vastness of the sea and the fleetingness of life.
The Old Man and the Sea was Hemingway’s first and only win of the Pulitzer Prize for literature, and it’s undoubtedly one of the most famous books about the ocean.
16. The Deep by Nick Cutter
A bizarre plague is wiping people’s memories, turning them into husks of themselves. Veterinarian Luke Nelson is tasked with researching a new biological substance that could save humanity, but the lab is miles below sea level.
When Luke arrives, it’s clear something eerie — possibly evil — is at play. Cutter takes readers on a psychologically terrifying journey in The Deep — a book that feels increasingly suffocating, and not just because it takes place in the darkest depths of the Pacific Ocean.
17. The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by S. A. Chakraborty
Amina al-Sirafi, who left a daring life of piracy after becoming a mother, is pulled into a new adventure when a former crew member’s daughter is kidnapped. This trilogy-starter by Chakraborty is an action-packed historical fantasy with a multi-layered heroine. Of course, every twist and turn unfolds at sea.
18. The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman
Moral codes, maternal instincts, and a young couple’s marriage are put to the test when a boat carrying a dead man, and a very alive baby girl, washes onto the shore of a remote island.
Tom and Isabel are keepers of a lighthouse well off the coast of Australia, and decide to take care of the mysterious infant in this isolated environment for two years before rejoining society on the mainland. Stedman’s tale inspired a 2016 film adaptation starring Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander.
19. Moby-Dick by Herman Melville
On board a whaling ship, outcast Ishmael chronicles the crew’s search for the great white whale of the Southern Oceans. Their hunt is driven by the fervor of Captain Ahab, who lost his leg to the whale during a previous voyage. But Ahab’s obsessive pursuit may cost them all their lives.
With surprisingly relatable parallels to the human condition, Moby-Dick cannot be missed in a list of books about the ocean (or for those following the latest news stories about whales attacking boats).
