A Manta Ray That Extends Beyond Your Periphery Vision
They say that the fear of the unknown is one of the most crippling fears. It’s the fear of what's hiding in the dark that causes kids to run to their parent's room at night, and it’s the mystery of what is found in the depths of the ocean that causes one's hair to stand on end.
The ocean extends further down than we could possibly imagine, and in the mass of water are a multitude of strange and scary creatures - like this manta ray. Although peaceful and zen, the size of this manta ray is petrifying. And so is the thought of the potential aggression if they get bothered.
A Scary Dark Shadow Following an Unsuspecting Kayak
What’s better than spending an idyllic morning out in the tropical sun on the back of the kayak? Cruising through crystal clear water and watching the little fish swim below is a favorite pastime for many. However, the clear turquoise water can also reveal some of our deepest fears - like a huge fin trailing you.
This picture of a huge, dark shadow is an unsuspecting shark following behind the kayak. This fun morning out in the ocean quickly took a turn for the worse.
A Tiny Speck in a Bottomless Pit of Ocean
While we know that the ocean is deep, the average person is not sure exactly how deep the depths extend. This particular lady seems set on figuring it out with a casual swim. The dark cave is menacing in appearance, and her small bikini hardly makes her look prepared.
Perhaps the most terrifying aspect of this shot is how ill-equipped this woman is for sinking to the depths of the cave. On the plus side, she won’t make it too far down without a proper oxygen supply.
Discovering a Strange Creature on a Snorkeling Adventure
Snorkeling is fondly considered a relaxing and refreshing activity. As the equivalent of an ocean safari, a pair of goggles and a snorkel can introduce you to some of the brightest and most interesting fish. As well as the scariest.
This whale shark appeared out of the blue and was caught on camera by an unsuspecting snorkeler. While this is just a glimpse of the beast, an adult male can measure up to 32 feet long, and almost 5 feet wide. Their mouth boasts an impressive 350 razor-sharp teeth. This is a fish that you hope not to encounter on your next expedition.
An Underwater Garden of Eels Disguised as Grass
As far as land animals go, snakes are one of the scariest. The way that they slip, slide, and slither around is both disconcerting and petrifying. An eel is the equivalent of a snake in the water and moves in very similar ways.
This picture of a collection of eels appearing as sea-grass on the bottom of the ocean floor should send chills down on your spine. If it doesn’t, perhaps knowing that an adult eel can reach up to 55 pounds in weight and up to seven feet in length will add some perspective!
“There’s Nothing in This Cave Worth Dying For”
There’s a certain type of person that likes to push boundaries. If you tell this person not to do something, chances are that they’ll do it anyway to prove a point. But what happens when a sign very obviously warns you of impending doom?
This sign of a Grim Reaper holding a scythe alongside bone-chilling words of warning under the ocean is a sign of trouble. It very clearly suggests that passing the sign will lead to death, and this is a warning best listened to.
When the Cage Doesn’t Do the Job
Although controversial in ethics and principles, there are plenty of shark cage diving experiences around the world that are enjoyed by travelers. Thrill-seekers revel in the opportunity to get up close to these beasts within the safety of a cage. But sometimes, nature bites back.
And that’s exactly what happened when this photograph was taken. This shot, taken in Mexico, shows just how menacing a great white shark can be on the wrong side of the cage (the inside). Perhaps more people will think twice about diving deep in the cage.
Having a Whale of a Time on the Bottom of the Ocean
The humpback whale is one of the largest animals in the world, growing up toa size of 50 feet and weighing up to 40 tons. Choosing to come face to face with a beast this size while it's in its own territory is a death wish.
The humpback whale can destroy a human with its tail alone, and this picture shows a diver braving the water to stand alongside the animal on the ocean floor. Can you imagine being in a situation more awe-inspiring?
A Shadow of Slime in Surfer’s Paradise
Have you ever stepped on something in the water and jumped with fright regardless of what it was? Sometimes, the scariest part of the ocean is not knowing what you just made contact with.
Every day, surfers around the world risk encountering sharks, eels and jellyfish for the chance of getting a barrel. This risk makes them aware of their surroundings, and notice the plant life that they share the ocean with. While these plants may not be dangerous, the algae-covered seaweed is undoubtedly creepy.
A Sheer Drop Into the Unknown
Some areas of deep water are inspiring because of their beauty, such as Jacob’s Well in Texas. It’s this beauty that can falsely present the spot as harmless. This particular abyss receives countless visitors every year, including brave divers who risk their lives to uncover what is held in the depths.
Although the surrounding water appears shallow, the cave extends down to 4,500 feet from the surface. Sadly, the cave has also been the cause of death for eight people who have lost their lives while diving.
The Creepy Crawly Creatures of the Ocean
If you’ve ever been fishing, then you’ll know the joy of pulling out a big fish after hours on the water - or the disappointment of going home with nothing. While prize catches include the likes of tuna and bass, nobody really expects to pull out a terrifying, giant centipede from the ocean!
While the man in the photograph may have a semi-amused smile on his face, it's doubtful that he’s going to be taking his creepy catch home with him to serve at dinner. Just another example of the unknown wonder that lies below the surface.
A Horror Movie of Gigantic Proportions
A bird’s eye view can change someone's perspective of a situation in the most incredible way by offering a wholesome overview. But sometimes, what you see from up-top may not be what you expected.
While we’re certain that most city rivers are home to a lot of pollution, lurking water life, and possibly dead bodies, this image of a giant tentacle stretches the possibilities of the unknown. Perhaps you’ll look over the bridge with a more skeptical eye on your next trip to the river.
A Nightmare on Surfer’s Street
Anyone who has ever stood up on a surfboard will know the thrill and rush that comes with shooting down the line (or even being pushed along by the foam). It’s this same rush that makes us lose consideration about the possible threats that lurk beyond the water - such as sharks.
All that it takes to bring surfers back to reality is the glimpse of a shadow in the water, riding the same wave as you. This picture of a shark lurking in the Atlantic Ocean just off the coast of Nigeria is enough to give this surfer the shock of his life.
A Terrifying Encounter With a Vampire Squid
One of the reasons that watching movies like Twilight are enjoyable is because we can disconnect the story from reality. There is no such thing as vampires, and so there’s nothing to really fear. The vampire squid, however, is a very different story. A very real story.
The vampire squid is found in extremely deep seawater, with its black complexion allowing it to blend in with the darkness that surrounds it. Chances are that you won’t encounter one of these creatures while swimming in the sea, but even if you did, you can find relief knowing that they are not that dangerous (despite how they look).
The Mystery That Lies Beneath the Surface
Photographs like this cause many to throw up their hands and claim that the image has been photoshopped. Whether the sight is simply unbelievable or people want to protect themselves from their own fears is irrelevant, because this photograph is very real. It was even published in the National Geographic magazine!
As it turns out, the man in the kayak made it back to shore without a scratch. But chances are that he was more at risk of a heart attack if he had spotted the shark while on the water.
The Mother of All Tsunamis
Despite technological advances and the building of infrastructure, nature will always be more powerful than humans. And that’s why natural disasters are some of the most feared threats. This tsunami promises death and destruction in its wake, and there’s nothing that humans can do about it.
Can you believe that an image as scary as this is caused by the shifting of two tectonic plates on the ocean floor? The movement creates a pressure that builds up to weigh thousands of pounds and explodes in a giant wave. This is quite a dramatic reminder of the power of nature.
If You Don’t See It Then It Doesn’t Exist, Right?
Not even celebrities are immune to the dangers of the ocean. Former Australian World Champion surfer, Mick Fanning, can bear witness to this fun fact, and this photograph of him and a shark is proof.
The photograph was captured during the J-Bay Open in South Africa in 2015. Mick Fanning was paddling out during his heat when a shark decided to follow him. Luckily, the pro surfer escaped before anything serious happened. It wouldn’t have been the first time that he’d been attacked by a shark after escaping an incident with only minor injuries two years prior.
Even Small Sharks Can Be Scary
It seems that sharks crashing a surfer’s fun is a rather regular occurrence in the world of the ocean. A shark encounter is a risk that surfers make every time that they paddle out into the break. But what makes shark attacks such a common happening?
For starters, a surfer in a wetsuit closely resembles a seal that just happens to be one of the shark’s favorite prey. The shape of the surfboard, when viewed from underneath, doesn’t exactly help the situation. And, as this picture reveals, even small sharks can be brave enough to saunter up to a human-sized “seal” when they’ve got a rumble in their tummy.
The Flat World Conspiracy Theory Takes On a New Approach
Standing on the shore of the beach offers a beautiful view, particularly at sunset. However, this magnificent sight is restricted by your level of elevation. When you have an aerial view of the same spot, the sight becomes all the more spell-bounding - until you come across an image like this. Then it becomes petrifying.
It seems as though the sand off of this island has a steep drop into a mysterious underwater world. All of a sudden, theories of the Bermuda Triangle and the possibility of a flat world creep to the front of our minds.
Can You Blame This Creature for Looking so Glum?
We all have parts of our bodies that we wish we could change for the better. Some wish for their hair to be curlier, their skin to be more clear or their stomachs to be just a little bit flatter. However, one look at this blobfish will make you grateful for all of your blemishes.
This blobfish spends its days and nights at the bottom of the ocean floor. As a casual swimmer, the chances of you coming across the droopy, slimy face is very slim.
Coming Up for Air Takes on a New Meaning
There’s no better day to be out on a boat than when the sky is clear, the water is clean and the waves are still. When the conditions are this good, then you can only imagine how mesmerizing it must be to stare down into the depths and discover what lies beneath.
And there's nothing like the sight of a great white shark’s razor-teeth staring back up at you to snap you back to reality. This picture of a great white shark coming up to the water's surface is a frightening sight for sure!
Not the Sort of Tropical Paradise on Your Travel Bucket List
There are various forces in nature, and they can be rather disastrous when they combine. In 2004, a huge earthquake reaching a magnitude of 9.1 rocked the seafloor of the Indian Ocean and erupted into a tsunami.
This picture shows only a glimpse of the destruction caused by the deadly waves that ran all the way from Asia to Somalia. This particular shot was taken in Thailand, where over 170,000 people sadly lost their homes in this village to the earthquake.
A Second Encounter With Death
Once again, this picture demonstrates how nature shows the world who is boss. The image was snapped in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico mere moments before a tidal wave hit the Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetry in 2018.
The waves stood as tall as 30-feet before crashing down on the cemetery. There was a lot of damage and chaos that emerged as a result of the natural disaster. Unfortunately, those that were laid in the ground to “rest in peace” had their “peace” badly disturbed.
A Hurricane so Terrifying That It Doesn’t Appear Real
We’ve already shared images of the destruction that can be caused by an earthquake and tsunami, and this image shows just how devastating the effects of a hurricane can be. The dangerously high winds can rip through a city, a village, and, as you can see, the ocean.
This particular hurricane caused 40-foot waves and a picture was snapped off the coast of Outer Banks in North Carolina. The scene is so intimidating that it almost appears to be a photograph - or at least that’s what you hope for it to be!
The Stinging Sensation of a Giant Jellyfish
Have you ever walked along the sand and found blubber of jellyfish remains washed up on the shore? Perhaps your jellyfish experience is of a different kind and involves being stung on the arm (and having to ask someone to pee on it).
This diver had a very different jellyfish encounter and one that would be most people’s worst nightmare. Needless to say, coming across a giant jellyfish this size is not something that you’d wish on your worst enemy.
Diving Deep Into the Unkown Is a Life-Threatening Experience
Just as there are scary creatures living in the ocean, there is also breathtakingly beautiful marine life. It’s the opportunity to see this stunning underwater life that prompts so many people to strap on an oxygen tank and dive deep into the depths on a venture of discovery.
However, what many people don’t realize is how dangerous it can be to dive into the unknown. This image of the vast expanse of water - and the mystery of what it holds - puts the dangerous, awe-inspiring situation into perspective.
All Alone in a Crowd of Divers
Did you know that about 71% of the earth’s surface is covered in water? That’s a lot of space - and depth - to get lost in. This scuba diver was exploring the deep ocean with a squad of fellow divers when he got separated from the group.
There’s a problem though. He had no way of calling for help. Just like you can’t hear anyone scream in space, neither can you hear anyone scream underwater. The only communication that this particular diver had on this trip was featuring as a silent, blurry shadow in the back of a photograph.
The All-Seeing God of Our Conscience
You can expect to see certain symbols when visiting certain countries. A statue of Buddha in Indonesia, Christ the Redemer on the hills of Rio, and the desert valley of Mecca. We’ve come to expect ancient ruins and symbols in various countries on our travels, but definitely not underwater.
This statue at the bottom of the ocean floor has probably caused many divers to take a second look, and for their hearts to skip a beat. No one is really certain of how the statue found it’s way into the ocean, but we’re certain that a few divers have thrown a hail Mary while cruising by.
Children’s Nightmares Are Based on Real-Life Inspiration
Do you remember the scary fish in Finding Nemo? Depending on what age you were when you watched the film, it may have had a nightmare effect on you for a couple of nights that followed.
What many people don’t know is that the terrifying creature exists in the real world and can be found deep, deep, deep in the ocean. They find their way around and attract their prey with the spooky light that dangles in front of its eyes. Hopefully, you’ll never have to encounter this creepy specimen yourself.
The Fossils of an Unkown Life Form Are Equally as Terrifying When They're Alive
It’s almost amusing how we spend hours wandering what lives beyond the ozone layer in outer space when we have a multitude of unknown life forms living (and dying) in the depths of the ocean. But every now and then, the ocean sends us a reminder of what lies below.
This very creepy photograph of an unknown specimen washed up on the shore and gave everyone a fright. Not only is it grotesque in appearance, but it also makes us wonder what else lies beneath the surface of the waves?
Just When You Thought You’d Seen It All
It only takes a small glimpse of the creepy looking creature in this photograph to know that it doesn’t mess around. With a body that long and teeth that sharp, it’s most certainly not an animal that you’d wish to encounter when in the water.
Perhaps the scariest aspect of this photograph is that a fisherman caught the creature nearby the shore. It seems that not all terrifying prehistoric-type fish are found in the dark depths. Some of them are closer than you think!
A Friendly Visit From a Peculiar Fish
There are some people prone to being skittish, while others manage to keep their cool no matter how scary the situation that they find themselves in. This particular man was out on the water in Mexico when a very curious creature sauntered up to him.
Rather than flipping in fear, he remained calm as the giant creature came closer to say hello. In the end, it’s probably a good thing that the fisherman remained calm, as a small flip of the whale-type creature’s tail could have him at the bottom of the ocean.
If You Can’t Beat ‘Em, Join ‘Em
German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche once said that “He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And if you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss also gazes into you…”. However, we’re not so certain that he meant for people to take his words so literally.
This man had a very special interpretation of the message and decided to find out what lies at the bottom of the abyss. But from this angle, it looks like a rather terrifying decision.
A Moment of Freedom Can Be Both Liberating and Terrifying
If you look at this picture and don’t catch your breath, then look closer! Freediving has become a popular activity around the world where people push the boundaries of their lung capacity, how deep they can go, and how much they can discover.
Sadly, testing these boundaries can come at the cost of some very scary lessons. And sometimes, there’s no making out of it alive. Without an oxygen tank to keep you alive, free divers often find themselves in rather frightening situations. Knowing this fact makes looking at this picture a lot scarier.
There’s Little as Terrifying as a Predator’s Gaze
On the land, a seal can sometimes look like a clumsy, harmless animal. But underwater, a seal can be a mean predator. Set aside the memory of your stuffed-seal teddy bear and give some respect to the petrifying carnivorous sea animal.
This frightening picture shows you just how menacing seals can be in the wild. Needless to say, you don’t want to find yourself eye-to-eye with this seal, or you might find yourself on the unfortunate end of its bite.
An Encounter Larger Than Life - Under Your Very Nose
In the grand scheme of things, we humans are merely a small blip on the planet and our lives are short in relation to the length of eternity. This picture puts this golden nugget of information perfectly in perspective.
This picture shows a boat zooming across the ocean, with a giant sea animal swimming underneath. The scary part is that the people on the boat probably don’t even know that there’s a huge animal underneath them because their vision doesn’t extend further than the creature's body!
Some People Appear to Have a Death Wish
The great white shark is one of the ten deadliest animals that you’ll find in the ocean. And yet the people in this picture clearly have no concern for risking their lives. Not only do they not have any protection from the predator, but they even took the time to take a photograph with the beast (which appears to be smiling).
Although humans are not typical food on the great white’s diet, the sharks have been known to kill humans for various reasons. In our opinion, it’s not worth the risk of getting the snap!
Is This Whale Jumping for Joy? Or Out of Rage?
One of the largest species of animals in the world is the whale, and they are worthy of being feared due to their size alone. Yet in most instances, the large beasts are gentle in nature. At least that’s the case until their babies are in danger.
This picture shows just how angry a whale can get when its young ones are in danger. Rather than jumping for joy, this whale came charging at a small fishing boat, and one brave fisherman managed to snap the moment.
An Eight-Digit Arm Wrestle That Won’t End Well
Watching a small octopus in the tidal pools is a fascinating experience until it squirts ink or sucks its tentacles on your arm. Now, imagine coming across a giant octopus such as the one in this photograph!
With eight legs and the ability to breathe underwater, you definitely do not want to encounter this large animal while swimming. In most instances, the octopus will let you be, but it’s best to steer clear if you want to stay on the safe side.
Getting Too Close to This Eel Can Have Dire Consequences
Unknown marine life can seem harmless and tempt us to get closer for a better look. However, as this Australian businessman learned, that is not always the best idea. When he approached this huge eel on a diving trip, the eel gave him something to remember him by.
When he got too close for comfort, the eel bit the side of his mouth. The hole in his face (and protective wear) caused air bubbles to leak and the diver to lose valuable oxygen. Luckily, the Aussie kept his cool and managed to make it to the surface before being rushed to the hospital.
Giant Monkfish for Giant Nightmares
If simply looking at this terrifyingly disgusting sea creature wasn't enough to give you nightmares, maybe knowing that it can grow up to 150 centimeters (4.9 feet) will make your skin crawl. This slimy fish is known for its distensible stomach, which means that it can swallow food up to its own body size.
The monkfish is known for being strictly carnivorous, and they're also known for their aggression. That means that if you ever find one of these next to you, swim away as quickly as you can!
One Final Creature to Add to the List of Nightmares
This creature looks as though it was made up in order to be cast in a horror film, but it is very real. Luckily for us, it can only be found in the dark depths of the ocean, far away from any light or human life.
Regardless of the fact that you probably won’t ever encounter the terror, it’s scary enough to know that it exists. After all, someone had to get close enough to get this photograph! After 41 scary images of what lurks beneath, hopefully, we’ll all have a little bit more respect for the ocean and what lies beneath.