A SCUBA diver underwater

Recreation

Rough periwinkles sit on a bed of barnacles.

Spirals in Time

Join Helen Scales, author and scientists, for a walk at the seashore.

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Featured Content

Image of two white sea shells with spirals.

Sanibel Island Shells: One Species at a Time

A wave curls near the shore.

Shooting the Waves: Tips from a Surf Photographer

A great white shark in the waters of the coast of Guadelupe, Mexico.

How Realistic is the Shark Science in "The Shallows"?

Black and white image of the Western Flyer boat at dock.

Bringing the Western Flyer, and History, Back to Life

A Chevrolet Mako Corvette

These Sleek, Sexy Cars Were All Inspired by Fish

Are You An Educator?

At Smithsonian Ocean, we have lesson plans, activities, and resources to help you engage your students in the wonders of our oceans.

see all lesson plans

Recreation Articles

A beach scene with groups of people walking in the water and playing with the sand.

Be Kind to the Beach

Colorful fireworks go off over the water.

From Sea to Shining Sea

an animated dolphin in an arm chair

Don't Feed Wild Dolphins

Home is where the hull is: Since the dawn of seafaring, humankind has had to deal with pesky creatures, such as barnacles, that “foul” ship hulls and boat propellers like this one.

No Fouling Around

a diver over a coral reef

Shallow Water Diving with WHOI

Mistaken Point New Foundland

Ediacaran Fossils: One Species at a Time

Image of two white sea shells with spirals.

Sanibel Island Shells: One Species at a Time

The 2012 Indonesian Biodiversity Research Center dive class stand in a group together

Scuba Diving Course a Success for IBRC Students

An 'austral' or southern breeder, Great Shearwaters (Ardenna gravis) migrate from breeding islands far to the south in the Atlantic before traveling to the Northern Atlantic to feed.

12,000 Miles to Go: Migrating with Shearwaters

A wave curls near the shore.

Shooting the Waves: Tips from a Surf Photographer

Rough periwinkles sit on a bed of barnacles.

Spirals in Time: A Walk at the Seashore

"Surf Fishing In a Golden State"

Surf Fishing In a Golden State

Banner Credit

Okinawa Nature Photography, Flickr