Underwater Silence Is a Myth: What the Ocean Actually Sounds Like

Paul Lenharr Dec 05, 2025

Underwater Silence Is a Myth: What the Ocean Actually Sounds Like

Ask a non-diver what the ocean sounds like underwater and you’ll usually get some version of:
“Peaceful. Quiet. Maybe just bubbles.”

Reality check: the ocean is loud. Constantly. You’re just not tuned into it yet.

Once you start paying attention, the soundscape becomes one of the most interesting parts of the dive — and it can actually make you a better, more aware diver.

The First Lie: “It’s So Peaceful Down There”

It can feel peaceful. But quiet? Not really.

Underwater, sound travels around four times faster than in air and can carry much farther. That means noises from creatures, boats, waves, and even far-off activity can all stack into a background hum you barely notice at first.

Most divers filter it out mentally while they focus on buoyancy, depth, and their buddy. But if you deliberately listen, you’ll start to hear an entire world hiding under your own bubbles.

The Snap, Crackle, Pop of the Reef

Healthy reefs rarely shut up.

One of the biggest background noises: snapping shrimp. Tiny crustaceans with one oversized claw that snaps so fast it creates a cavitation bubble — and a sharp popping sound.

Get close to a reef, pause, and really listen. That constant crackling noise, like a bowl of Rice Krispies turned up to 11? That’s the reef’s background soundtrack. Add in:

Parrotfish crunching coral
Crabs scraping and picking
Fish feeding in schools

Put it all together and you get a living, grinding, popping city.

Fish Don’t Just Look Quiet — Some of Them Talk

A lot of fish communicate through sound:

Drumming or vibrating muscles against their swim bladder
Clicking or grinding teeth
Rubbing bones or fin parts together

You won’t always know who’s making what noise, but you’ll hear:

Low, distant “booms” or “drums”
Rhythmic knocking or clicking
Sudden grunts or croaks, especially around mating or territorial behavior

Some of those odd noises you hear near a wreck or reef? Not the wreck. Not the current. It’s the residents.

Wrecks, Boats, and Human Noise Pollution

Man-made noise is everywhere underwater.

You’ll often hear:

Boat engines as a low, growing rumble long before you see the hull
Chains or mooring lines grinding and clanking in surge
Distant construction or ship traffic in busy areas

This isn’t just background annoyance — it affects marine life. Many animals rely on sound to hunt, navigate, and communicate. Constant noise can stress them, mask signals, and change how they behave.

For divers, it’s also a safety cue. That distant engine? That’s your reminder to stay aware on ascent and use a proper SMB.

The Sounds You Make Without Realizing

You’re part of the noise problem too:

Regulator hiss and bubble bursts
Clanking boltsnaps and tank rattles
Fins hitting rocks, wrecks, or the surface
Gear scraping, BCD inflators puffing, SPGs tapping

Most of it is normal. Some of it is just sloppy. The quieter and more controlled you become, the less you spook marine life — and the more you notice what’s happening around you.

Learning to Use Your Ears Like a Diver

You can train your ears just like your buoyancy:

Pause and listen during the dive — especially near reefs, wrecks, or walls.
Turn your body, not just your head — sound direction underwater can be tricky; rotate slowly and feel where it gets louder.
Match sounds to events: a sudden clank, a quick roar of bubbles, or a nearby “thud” can signal contact, a problem, or another team.

Over time, you stop hearing random noise and start recognizing patterns.

The Takeaway: The Ocean Is Not Quiet — You’re Just Not Listening Yet

Underwater silence is a myth. The ocean is a constant mix of natural sounds, human noise, and your own life-support system.

Learn to listen, and you’ll:

Spot wildlife you can’t see yet
Better read the conditions around you
Become more relaxed, aware, and connected to the dive

Next time you hit the bottom and instinctively say, “It’s so peaceful down here,” add the second half of the truth:
“— and it’s absolutely not quiet.”