We all know that the ocean can be a truly terrifying place, even though it makes up two-thirds of the entire planet. Even though it is gigantic in size, we actually know only a fraction of the ocean has in store because it is extremely difficult to explore every nook and cranny. Explorers continue to learn about new species that are even more bizarre than the ones that came before it. These deep-sea creatures are truly fearsome things, though the ocean itself is a force to be reckoned with. It can destroy entire cities that had been standing in place just moments prior. We are sure that these images of the waters will give you the goosebumps so prepare yourself!
Hurricanes and tsunamis are probably the first things that will come to mind when we talk about natural disasters. A tsunami is a powerful force, and you should know that it is even stronger than the largest wave you have ever encountered while swimming. Tsunamis come with unbelievable force and speed – they will feel like solid rock if you were ever unfortunate enough to suffer through one! Trust us when we say that tsunamis and tidal waves are very different things. You don’t want to learn this the hard way. However, natural disasters are not the only things to fear about the natural world.
When you go exploring in the depths of the ocean, you will learn that the deep-water dwellers do not look like the fish we see on a regular basis. It is true that some of these creatures are beautiful and enchanting, though there are hideous and terrifying animals down there as well. However, you should know that it is the beautiful ones that pose more danger. Beautiful octopi, gorgeous lionfish, and the captivating jellyfish might be lovely to look at, though you should know that they have the capacity to kill us.
Of course, how can we forget to mention sharks? Made particularly popular by the classic film Jaws, these creatures are considered the rulers of the seas. There are 440 shark species out there, each one as dangerous as the last, and we definitely do not want to intrude on their territory. Let’s not even get started on whales.
The following pictures will probably remind you that we are far from ruling the ocean. When we are in there, we are mere guests. These photos will serve as enough proof of this! What are we waiting for? Let’s begin.
Cage Fight
Cave diving with sharks might be right up your alley if you consider yourself a daredevil. However, would you still be interested if you learn that the sharks can get into the cage? Well? This doesn’t happen that often, true enough, though thrill-seekers should know they might get more than what they bargained for.
The Underworld
This looks like a still from a fantasy movie, doesn’t it? It is the reality, however. Water caves exist below the surface of the planet, and they are nothing short of chilling. How eerie is this?
What Lurks Beneath
Ahh, nothing beats some me-time with just you, the view, and your kayak! However, you are never truly alone when you are out at sea. This shark here is considerate enough to offer you his company!
Sea Snakes
Nah, this is not a close-up picture of a balding guy’s scalp. What you are seeing here is a seabed containing sea snakes. How terrifying! You also need to know that they are not rooted to the sea floor. That’s right, they can come up and nip at you.
Just A Humpback Whale
It is true that humpback whales are mammals, though they are quite happy spending most of their time under the water. This diver was lucky enough to get up close and personal with this gentle giant. We sure hope he was able to come back unscathed!
No Air
Is free-diving something that you want to experience once in your life? For those unfamiliar with the sport, it is basically diving without the aid of breathing equipment. Too risky for us, though daredevils get a kick out of it.
Jellyfish Trouble
We would like to introduce you to the Lion’s Mane jellyfish. If you are observant enough, you can probably figure out how it got its name. This massive creature comes with stingers that stretch out to 20 feet. For your reference, that is about four average human beings stacked up together!
Whale Shark
No, this is not a small fish at all. This is actually an example of a whale shark, and it is, in fact, the biggest shark in existence. However, there is no need to worry since it does not pose any danger to us.
Reflection And Ray
Would you agree that the best way to meditate is to submerge yourself in the calm ocean? That might be true, though we would not feel comfortable reflecting on life in the presence of a stingray!
Cave Of Death
Can you imagine what it must be like to come across this chilling sign when you approach an ocean cave? We bet everyone who finds it will take it seriously.
Creepy Crawlies
What could this be? Is it the Loch Ness monster? Do you think they are sea snakes? Can they possibly the wet dreadlocks of some Rastafarian? None of these are the answers you’re looking for. This is a bunch of seaweed roused by a creeping wave! Well, we definitely do not want to swim there, thank you very much.
Jacob’s Well
When you are in and around Texas, you might want to consider dropping by Jacob’s Well. When you get there, you can drop by further…all the way up to 4,500 feet! It definitely looks beautiful, though keep in mind that 8 people went in to explore its depths and never came back.
Sea Centipede
Nope, this is not a picture of a fake mustache. It is, however, a gigantic centipede that spent most of its life in the water. It’s enormous and scary to look at, and we’re sure it is even more horrifying once you come into contact with it while swimming.
For Real?
Now, we are not sure if this picture is real, though we are keeping our fingers crossed that it isn’t. If this is real, we have a major problem ahead of us.
Not What You Want To See
We’re sure that no surfer wants to see this when they mount the board to catch a wave. Hopefully, he was wise enough to get out of there as soon as he possibly could.
Vampire Squid
If you were wondering, this vampire squid did not come from a work of fiction. This is a real creature! It’s better that you hear this from us instead of running into it in the ocean by yourself.
Tsunami
There are several cool things about living near the coast. You get the ocean breeze, the cool temperature, clean air, and the luxury of swimming whenever you want. However, there is also the risk of a tsunami destroying your home and potentially taking your life!
Brave Surfer
While participating in a surf competition held in South Africa, the Australian athlete Mick Fanning was attacked by a shark! It was definitely a good thing that he had his wits about him and punched the great white shark before getting to safety.
Time To Get Out
This day probably started out as a nice day for these folks. However, you should know that shallow waters make for excellent hunting area for sharks. The ones in the picture might appear small and harmless, though they are still dangerous.
Underwater Waterfall
No, that’s not a paradox nor a photo manipulation. Underwater waterfalls exist! They are beautiful, without a doubt, but be warned that they are dangerous. This photo was taken just off Mauritius.
The Blobfish
This guy looks pretty pathetic if you ask us. The blobfish does not look like your regular fish, though it does look like a blob. It won’t be the most terrifying thing you find in the waters, though it is not exactly a sight for sore eyes either.
Perfect Timing
Whoa, we want to give an award to the photographer who took this image! Moments later, the great white shark went up to take a nip at its prey. Oh, did we forget to mention that it is the most dangerous shark in existence?
Thailand Tsunami
A horrifying tsunami took Asia by surprise in 2004, and it ended up taking the lives of over 170,000 people. It was caused by an underwater earthquake that sent large waves to as far as the waters of East Africa.
Death At Sea
We are sure that you have heard of the phrase “burial at sea,” though this is not what it usually looks like. The picture depicts something else altogether – the water seems to have come for the bodies by itself!
Massive Waves
Try to keep this picture in mind, especially when you go out with the intention of catching big waves. One this size can drag you out far and even capsize ships on its own.
Don’t Blink
We really do not recommend swimming when there is a great white shark nearby. In all likelihood, it will turn out to be the very last thing you do. We just hope this woman was able to escape while she still could!
Flying Whale
Is it a bird? A plane? No, it’s…not Superman either. It is actually a flying whale! That’s definitely not something you see on a regular basis, though there is no reason for anyone to want it any other way.
8 Reasons To Swim Away
Octopi can sure be pretty, though it is important to take note that they are dangerous as well. Plenty of divers have run into problems because these creatures have a tendency to attach themselves to the diving equipment! You wouldn’t have thought it, but they are truly dangerous creatures.
Nose Job Shark
Sure, this is not the most attractive thing you will find in the water, though we maintain that this shark is a charming fellow! It’s pretty sad that most people won’t welcome him.
Leopard Seal
If we’re going by looks alone, we’re sure everyone would agree that this leopard seal is nothing short of adorable. However, getting bitten by this little guy here is a different thing altogether. We are sure you would be bleeding in no time once he gets a bite in. We all know that it’s never a good idea to bleed out there.
Great White
The person swimming right on top of this great white shark might just be the unluckiest person ever. However, we’re sure he would feel like the luckiest person on the planet if they were able to escape!
Be Safe
You definitely do not want to run into an eel in the water. This diver learned about the danger it poses the hard way. At least he was able to survive, though he did take him a scar as a memento.
Sucking It In
What is this, a vacuum cleaner for the ocean? It may look like it, but this is actually a whale shark! We can only hope that the diver was able to run away before he got swallowed whole.
Double The Size
We already saw this guy earlier, though it might be safe to assume now that he was able to get away safely. Perhaps there’s another photo to continue the sequence. Man, look at how huge that thing is when compared to the kayak!
Lava And Ocean
It’s hard to come up with a scarier combination than an angry ocean and an erupting volcano! Did you know that the lava could make new earth once it gets into contact with the water?
When You See It
Take a look at this small boat making its way through the calm seas. Hold on…is that a gigantic blue whale lurking underneath? Maybe this isn’t a small boat, after all!
Even Deeper
If you are the type of person who goes diving without any breathing apparatus, we would like to applaud your bravery. This dude here was able to dive to incredible depths all by himself, though that underwater hole beside him is a new level altogether.
Basking Shark
The basking shark is a distant relative of the more popular great white shark. They both enjoy a large serving of food, though they approach eating differently. For one thing, his cousin likes chewing things with impressive rows of teeth.
Feeding Whales
When you see a bunch of humpback whales getting dinner, you can take it as a sign that the area you are in has plenty of fish. However, we don’t recommend coming any closer!
Don’t Touch It
It definitely looks gorgeous, no doubt about it, though I really do not advise touching it. At the moment, scientists continue to be shocked and impressed by the extent of the jellyfish species!
Too Close For Comfort
We bet that these people only signed up for a little sightseeing. We are sure none of them expected to have a personal encounter with the largest shark in the ocean! However, we’re sure this would make for a great story to tell others.
Just Look At That Size
Even when you see them from above the water, you can tell that ships are huge. However, do you have any idea what these vehicles look like when you are under the water? We daresay that this diver looks more like a toy soldier when you hold it up to the turbine of the ship.
Between Mother And Calf
If you have ever seen an animal documentary, you will already know that it is a bad idea to get in between a baby and a mother. This freediver already put himself at risk when he dived without any gear, and he increased the danger by approach a humpback whale with her calf!
Looks Cute
Isn’t this an adorable little kid? However, the picture takes on a new dimension when you look past the water. We can’t imagine going for a dip in waters as dark as that one!
Dark Dolphin
Dolphins have a reputation for being sweet, gentle creatures. They are known as adorable and playful animals. However, this particular one might just be the exception to the rule!
Hope For The Best
When you find yourself in this situation, pray that the whole will dive under the boat. This might be a cool picture, though always think of your safety first before anything!
Shark Paradise
Say that you are going for a dive and when you look up, you see this right above you. What would be your course of action then? Hopefully, you find a way out, though that might be a little too hopeful.
A Speck
We want you to take a good, long look at this photograph. You are looking at a person jumping into the water! Who knows how deep that ocean is? That person looks just like a speck of dirt in there!
On The Ray-dar
Whoa, this picture makes us thank heavens that sting rays weren’t given the ability to fly. After that, we also want to express gratitude that the photographer was on a boat, not down there!
Lucky Shot
Australia is considered the home of some of the most bizarre creatures the planet has to offer. Don’t go thinking that this is limited to land animals, however! The French photographer Robert Serrec took this insane picture back in 1964. We’re not sure if this gigantic sea snake-like creature is real or not. You know what? We don’t think we’d like to find out.
A Deep Grave
Up for the adventure of your lifetime? If you’re the daredevil type, we don’t think it is a good idea to go down the Blue Springs Vent in Florida. A lot of people have done this and some of them never lived to tell the tale. This crevice is located under the water, and it has swallowed a dozen people already.
Dream Or Nightmare
If you are a surfer yourself, you might feel a stab of envy upon seeing this photograph. However, this looks completely terrifying if you aren’t one! We bet that a wave of this size will hurt if you don’t know what you’re doing on the surfboard.
Summer Job
Now, how would you respond if you got a job offer to work at this lighthouse? Pretty cool, right? They’ll probably have to send you to your new workplace via helicopter.
Terrifying
School can be a terrifying place to be in as we all know, though we’re talking about a different type of school. This brave photographer deserves some award for going out there and getting a picture!
Who Lives In A Yellow Submarine?
If you ever find a rusted, abandoned submarine, fear is going to be a natural response. Do you think there’s any chance this is the famous yellow submarine mentioned in the song by the Beatles?
From A Different Era
It might have been decades since the end of World War Two, though its relics continue to pop up all over the world. This one did not exactly “pop up,” though this discovery is indeed worthy of attention.
Exploring The Depths
See that thing in the middle? That’s not a toy soldier. It’s a diver taking in the beauty of the ocean depths. It must have felt amazing (and terrifying!) to find yourself between those boulders.
When You See It
Upon first viewing, you might think this is just a regular picture of the water. Nothing special whatsoever. However, we urge you to take a closer look. Did you find it?
Under Antarctica
More and more things are discovered with the tragic melting of the ice caps. This isn’t the Titanic, though this sunken yacht found near Antarctica is just as interesting if you ask us!
Are They Real?
Do you get creeped out by looking at this? These are actually art pieces underwater. However, we’re sure swimmers did not appreciate running into these sculptures in the dark.
Minute Snorkler
Isn’t this a haunting and beautiful image? This picture was taken from below a snorkler at the surface of the water. It’s pretty humbling to see humans as nothing more than dots in the ocean.
Freedive Devil
You have to be completely courageous to dive deep into the ocean without any air for backup. We simply cannot imagine doing it in such a dark place! That sounds like an insane thing to do, but there’s no stopping this guy.
Underwater River
No, this is not a guy hovering in mid-air over there at the left. Nope, this is actually an underwater river! Creepy, right? This would not look out of place in a zombie apocalypse flick if you ask us.
Would You Have A Seat?
Who would have thought that a chair could make for such a creepy image? What makes it truly haunting is the fact that it is underwater, however. What could it possibly be doing there?
Nuked Fish
These catfish are 8 foot long and they were found near Chernobyl. We’re sure you’ve heard about the Chernobyl disaster before. Do you think there’s any connection there?
Man O War
Here, we have another lovely creature that can cause you serious harm if you’re not careful. The Man O’ War might look a little like a plastic bag in the ocean, though it has tentacles that can hurt you very badly. It is a great idea to avoid them!
Massive Wave
From the shore, we typically see small waves. Nothing can compare to the massive waves out there! Some can be so large that they capsize huge ships, not unlike the way a chef flips a pancake.
What Was That?
We bet you also hate being touched when you are in the water! We do, too. This woman, however, had to deal with an underwater creature made contact with her legs. We hope she’s alive and well after this photo was taken.
Thalassophobia Or Claustrophobia?
Do you fear the sea or closed places? If the answer to this question is both, we bet you are thanking the heavens that you are not the person in this picture!
Surf Faster
Windsurfing sure sounds like a fun idea, though we’re sure it would be terrifying if you find a massive whale making its way towards you. At this point, the only thing you can do is hope that there is a random strong wind that will take you far, far away.
And Then This
Let’s pretend you are out on a dive when you come across this…thing. What will you do? What will you think? Most importantly, what the heck is this creature?
Stalking The Police
Just before you are the police doesn’t mean that you are safe in the water. These Australian officers probably deal with a lot of similar situations, however.
Wall Of Water
No, this is not the result of photo manipulation. You are looking at a real wave that does not appear to shrink! Surfers should not even attempt to ride this wall of water!
Caught Fishing
It must have been a nice day for fishing until they came across this creature. This shark was stuck in the fishing nets, and it was ready to give you hassle for it.
Photo Roll
Some friends decided to go out for a surf and decided to bring a waterproof camera for the sake of documentation. Nothing bad had happened to them, though things almost took a turn for the worse! They only discovered this when they got home.
A Visitor
The city was flooded after a series of heavy rains and large waves. This visitor was dragged along in the water, though we don’t think anyone was glad to see him.
Is It A Rock?
We dare you to jump onto that rock. On second thought, maybe you shouldn’t. This isn’t a rock, though we can’t tell you what it is either!
Hammerhead Sharks
They sure have striking heads, though why is it that no one cares about their wonderful personalities? We’re kidding, of course. Who knows if that’s even true? What we do know, however, is that it would be a bad idea to swim there.
Angler Fish
Take a look at this marvelous creature! The angler fish is actually one of the smartest creatures in the ocean. It has a light protruding from its foreheads, attracting smaller fish who think they found their meal. However, they end up being fish food for the angler fish! Swim away if you ever come across one!