25 Must-Read Ocean Books for Divers, Ocean Nerds, and Salty Souls

Whether you’re a scuba diver, ocean lover, or a landlocked mermaid dreaming of saltwater, this list has something for you. From fascinating marine science and real-life dive thrillers to poetic sea novels and mythical mermaid tales, these books celebrate the sea in all its moods.

Each section below is grouped by vibe so you can dive into a deep nonfiction read, escape with ocean magic, or follow true stories of underwater adventure. Let’s make waves.

🧠 Ocean Science + Brainy Nonfiction

Books that explain the sea and why we love it

These reads break down the systems that drive our oceans, from tides and thermoclines to evolution and neuroscience. Perfect for divers, ocean nerds, or anyone who’s ever stared at the sea and whispered “how does this work?”

• Blue Mind by Wallace J. Nichols
  Explores the science behind why being near water makes us calmer, happier, and more creative. Backed by psychology and personal stories.
• The Blue Machine by Helen Czerski
  A brilliant explanation of the ocean’s role in shaping our planet’s climate, ecosystems, and future, written in an accessible and poetic style.
• Deep by James Nestor
  Blends freediving adventures with deep ocean science. You'll meet extreme athletes, sperm whales, and scientists pushing the boundaries of what humans can do underwater.
• Spying on Whales by Nick Pyenson
  Traces the evolution of whales from prehistoric land animals to ocean giants, and what their future tells us about our own.
• The Sea Around Us by Rachel Carson
  A classic oceanography read filled with lyrical writing and timeless truths about the natural rhythms of the sea.
• The Soul of an Octopus by Sy Montgomery
  A tender, surprising look at the emotional lives of octopuses and the humans who befriend them. Full of heart and wonder.
• Of Orcas and Men: What Killer Whales Can Teach Us by David Neiwert
  A powerful exploration of the cultural and biological intelligence of orcas, touching on science, Indigenous knowledge, captivity ethics, and our complicated relationship with these apex predators.

🐠 Deep Dives & Ocean Thrillers

Real-life wrecks, underwater mysteries, and eco-fiction that pulls you in

These are the books that grip you from the first page and don’t let go—whether they’re rooted in real-world scuba expeditions, investigative journalism, or eerie marine sci-fi. Expect page-turners, dive drama, and a whole lot of saltwater suspense.

• Shadow Divers by Robert Kurson
  A gripping true story of two recreational divers who risk everything to identify a mysterious WWII submarine wreck off the coast of New Jersey.
• The Outlaw Ocean by Ian Urbina
  Investigative journalism meets the lawless high seas, covering piracy, human rights violations, and environmental crime in the ocean’s dark corners.
• War of the Whales by Joshua Horwitz
  The true legal battle between scientists and the U.S. Navy over sonar’s impact on whales, told with the tension of a courtroom drama.
• The Last Dive by Bernie Chowdhury
  The tragic true story of a father-son dive team who pursued a deep wreck dive and didn’t return. Deeply emotional and full of technical diving insight.
  
  
• The Girl Beneath the Sea by Andrew Mayne
  An underwater crime thriller starring a badass female diver who discovers a body while scuba diving and uncovers a deadly conspiracy.
• The Swarm by Frank Schätzing
  An epic eco-thriller where marine species begin attacking humans. Plankton, whales, worms — it’s the ocean fighting back.

📖 Ocean Fiction & Poetic Tales

Beautiful novels set by, in, or inspired by the sea

These stories aren’t fantasy, but they are filled with heart, water, and characters whose lives are deeply connected to the ocean. Some are quiet, others funny or surreal, but all leave a salty imprint.

• Shark Heart: A Love Story by Emily Habeck
  A poetic, magical realism story about a man who begins turning into a shark and the woman who loves him through it all.
• Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
  A charming, emotional novel told in part through the eyes of a giant Pacific octopus. This book has ocean depth, human heart, and a little bit of magic—all wrapped in a quiet mystery.
• Fluke: Or, I Know Why the Winged Whale Sings by Christopher Moore
  A wild, hilarious novel about whale researchers chasing mysterious behavior, with a bizarre and brilliant sci-fi twist.
• The Girl of the Sea of Cortez by Peter Benchley
  A coming-of-age tale set in Baja, where a young girl connects with a giant manta ray. A gentle, conservation-minded story.
• Playground by Richard Powers
  A literary novel weaving climate science, artificial intelligence, and humanity’s evolving relationship with the sea.
• Whalefall by Daniel Kraus
  A haunting and adrenaline-fueled survival story about a teenage boy who gets swallowed by a sperm whale while diving—and must confront both his past and his fate inside the creature’s belly. It’s visceral, introspective, and impossible to put down.

🧜♀️ Mermaids, Myths & Ocean Magic

Fantasy fiction inspired by sea legends, folklore, and transformation

• The Mermaid from Jeju by Sumi Hahn
  A historical tale inspired by Korea’s legendary haenyeo women divers. After WWII, Junja’s journey is shaped by love, myth, and resilience.
• The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh
  A dreamy, mythology-rich fantasy where Mina enters the Spirit Realm to uncover secrets and save her people. Lush and cinematic.
• Kiss of the Selkie: A Little Mermaid Retelling by Tessonja Odette
  A romantic retelling rooted in Celtic lore, where a cursed selkie girl must navigate betrayal, magic, and forbidden love.
• Sleeping with the Fishes by MaryJanice Davidson
  A snarky, modern mermaid rom-com with a half-mermaid marine biologist caught between underwater politics and dry land love triangles.
• The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See
  Inspired by the real-life haenyeo divers of Jeju Island, this historical novel tells the story of two women whose friendship is tested by war, family, and generational trauma. It’s powerful, immersive, and steeped in sea lore.

🧭 Ready to Dive In?

From shipwreck sleuths to mythical mermaids, this reading list is packed with salty wisdom, mystery, and magic. Perfect for divers, ocean lovers, or anyone who just needs a good reason to stare at the sea.

💬 Have a favorite ocean book I missed? Drop it in the comments, this list is always growing.