What is thalassophobia, you may ask? Thalassophobia is a persistent and intense fear of deep water, such as the ocean or sea. What makes this phobia different from aquaphobia — the fear of water in general — is the fact that it centers on vastness, darkness, and depth. People who have this condition are not terrified of getting wet but rather of the might and mystique behind the waves.
It is, in fact, a scary thought — the endless depth of the ocean underneath your boat with unknown creatures filling the vast voids of unexplored seas. No, scratch that — you might even start getting uncomfortable just by looking at pictures depicting the endlessness of the deep blue seas!
And if you were wondering what it is like to have thalassophobia or what images could cause this unsettling feeling, take a look at our selection of photos from the Thalassophobia subreddit. While we agree that at first glance, they are just beautiful, there indeed is a certain unsettling aura about them!
This post may include affiliate links.
Kayaking With The Giants!
Grand Turks 700 Ft Drop
How Do I Know If I Have Thalassophobia?
If you experience feelings of anxiety and fear about the sea or any other large body of water, chances are, you have thalassophobia. The fear you might be experiencing is usually disproportionate to the danger the water poses to you at a given moment - the body of water might be calm as a mirror and still give you these unsettling feelings. As for the symptoms, thalassophobia shares them with other specific phobias, such as claustrophobia, and includes:
- Sudden onset of anxiety or fear;
- Shaking and trembling;
- Sweating;
- Dry mouth;
- Increased heart rate or heart palpitations;
- Difficulty breathing, including hyperventilating;
- Chest pain;
- Fear of losing control.
Orcas In The Waves
This Seaweed Through Clear Water
Underwater Waterfall
I saw this picture and my anxiety just got turned up FULL BLAST
this image is an optical illusion don't worry!!!!!!! and i absolutely love your username!!!!!!!!!!!
Load More Replies...
This is a well known photoshopped fake photo. That is the Morne Brabant in Mauritius, I vacationed there.
It's not really an underwater waterfall. It's an optical illusion caused by sand and silt flowing over the drop-off. The water that contains the sand and silt reflects light differently and appears bluer, creating the illusion of a waterfall.
It’s where the monster that made the water fall is at
Load More Replies...
Thankfully, that's an illusion. The bottom doesn't just drop off like that, but the colours and striation of the bottom makes it look like that. If you don't believe me, ask yourself if the cliff would be as visible through the water at the bottom of the picture as closer to land?
It’s so beautiful but I’ll pass on going there I do not want to risk my life thank you
I physically and involuntarily just backed my rolling chair up until i couldn't reach the scroll wheel on my mouse whilst saying "nope nope nope nope nope". I'm alone btw nobody else is in my office. thank the Lord I don't even know how to explain the terror of this image scrolling up as i backed away. it became bowl shaped and vertigo almost set in. So glad I wear a kilt otherwise id probably have to be changing my pants. I'm not sleeping again...ever.
It’s fake its more an illusion it’s called the underwater waterfall in Mauritius
Nope what if you didn’t see it coming and all and you fell my anxiety full blast all the way
No paddleboarding, waterskiing, nor going out on the lake in ANY way or spending a vacation here...
The white sand falling makes it look like a waterfall. Real. Been to Mauritius but not to this area. Round the island trip and in the water at the northern side.
At the bottom of the falls are the ships that fell off the side of the world
At the bottom of the falls are ships that fell off the side of the world
So you can just float on top in calm water and look down and see this??? Because that would be terrifying.
That plus the squared beach makes it look like someone playing around with geoforming in sim city
Baffling the most well-traveled of our world, this captivating phenomenon happens in the Indian Ocean, on the tropical island of Mauritius. Visible year-round, it is completely safe to swim in or even surf on!
That absolutely terrifies me. I am never going swimming outside of a pool again.
Okay. Where is that place? I want to know so i will stay away from it
This is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen right next to biolumanesant algae bloom sharks in person ans seeing baby turtles eye to eye
hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm..........................*runs away screaming in terror*
This is the Le Morne Brabant in the island of Mauritius which sits on an ocean shelf. This is not a true underwater waterfall like the caption suggests. This is in fact an optical illusions where sand and silt are brought out by the tide and down these ocean floor slopes. https://theculturetrip.com/africa/mauritius/articles/the-story-behind-mauritius-underwater-waterfall-illusion/?amp=1
This is in Mauritius which sits upon an ocean shells isn’t a real waterfall and the caption is misleading. This is actual an optical illusion. The sand and silt that is brought out to sea by the tide makes it look like a waterfall. https://www.travelawaits.com/2563129/mauritius-island-underwater-waterfall/?amp
Load More Replies...
Mauritius - playground of the unnecessarily wealthy. Send them all over it in barrels!
What is Thalassophobia Caused By?
Thalassophobia could be caused by traumatic events, such as a childhood near-drowning experience, witnessing a shark attack, never learning to swim, or even being told scary stories of the ocean.
By associating a specific situation, such as being in deep water, with a panic response, over time, a phobia of that situation can develop.
However, if you’re unsure whether you do have thalassophobia or not, you can always take a thalassophobia test on the internet and discuss it with your mental health professional.
"Uhhhh, There's More Than Just Kelp And Angelfish Down Here, Over"
British Underwater Photographer Of The Year Winner 2022
Words Fail Me
Is To Me Or Are Black Tiled Pools Terrifying
As we’ve mentioned in the beginning, it’s the mere thought about the depth of the ocean or creatures lurking in the bottom of a body of water that might cause thalassophobia, and the images from the Thalassophobia subreddit illustrate it really well.
The group itself is very dedicated to the quality of its content and fostering a welcoming environment both for thalassophobes and ocean lovers. Interested to learn more about the community, we contacted the moderators of 'Thalassophobia', and they were kind enough to have a little chat with us.
"Our core mod group has 4 active members, which is a small team for a subreddit of our size," they told Bored Panda. "Compared to other subreddits of our size, we don't feel like we police posts or comments as much. The reason we do so little policing can probably be explained by our subreddit's niche context that revolves around a very specific set of inoffensive content.”
Taken Off The Coast Of Southern California 2 Weeks Ago
“We're just a bunch of people sharing stories, images, and videos of bodies of water that leave us in awe, wonder, and trepidation. Whenever we do police content, it's usually because it's a repost or focuses on a sea creature rather than the vastness of the ocean or the unknown depths of a body of water. We prefer for the ocean/water to play the primary role in content."
The Pacific Ocean
The mods also said the 'Thalassophobia' community is very passionate and filled with both ocean-fearing and ocean-loving people. "Based on previous polls we've had in the subreddit, it's split roughly 50/50 between those [two groups]."
"Although half of the community loves the ocean, everyone understands that there are people with a fear of deep water, and everyone is respectful of that in their posts and comments. It's a great community to be a moderator in," they explained.
That’s Creepy
The Deadliest Stream In The World - It Looks Normal, But Underneath It Is Full Of Caves Of Powerful Fast Moving Water That Will Drag You Down. 100% Fatality Rate
“The Big One”
When You Fear Of Flying And Your Fear Of Water Meet Each Other
Beach Weather Is Upon Us!
The Eye Of S(E)auron.
Why Is Deep Water So Scary?
Although each one of us has different answers to the question, we have some thoughts about it, too. Deep water might appear frightful because of our inherited fear of the unknown — sounds simple, but it is still spooky. Then, there’s the factor of vulnerability as deep water and being in them makes us feel really small and exposed.
Also, add the distinctive feeling of isolation when there’s nothing around you, just water, some more water, and a bit more of it, and you suddenly feel very alone and helpless. And lastly, the darkness of the bottom as if you’re staring right into the eye of the abyss.
We think that any of these factors are a good enough reason to have an immense fear, so if you think you have thalassophobia, don’t worry — it’s completely okay to experience it. In fact, up to 12,5% of the population experience a specific phobia every year!
A Howling Abyss
Deep Water Swell
An Entire Street Submerged In The Deep
Underwater Path. Magical Zakynthos Caves, Greece
Because All My Friends Say This Photo Of Me Freediving Gives Them The Willies
Start adding dark shapes in the backgrounds when you show them pictures. Items like Thomas the trains face, rubber duck, sushi rolls Cthulhu are common items that you could sneak in
Could That Be The Megalodon's Den?
Taken From A Fishing Boat In Antartica
The Image That Started It All
Jacob's Well In Texas
An Abandoned, Flooded Mineshaft
Guadalupe Island, The Most Terrifying Place On This Planet
There’s Something Particularly Terrifying About The Idea Of Water You Can’t Even Float In
They put these signs on the aeration tanks at water purification plants. While there have been a few people who have fallen in and drowned, whether or not aeration would cause a human not to float hadn't really been tested until more recently. It turns out humans can float in an aeration tank, and it's now thought that those who drowned died of other complications. They still keep the signs up, though, since the tanks are still dangerous in general, and also because they're full of icky water that no one should really want to be in.
The Bottom Of An Iceberg
Whirlpools Are Actually Terrifying, You Guys
Swimming Next To A Ship In The Open Ocean, Miles From Land
That dude in the middle- is he drowning? Is he calling out for help? Is he waving to the camera? Is he voguing?
A Diver Riding A Giant Underwater Worm (Pyrosoma Atlanticum)
Brine Pools Are Just The Scariest Shit
Apparently This Is The Sunken Goddess Sculpture- That’s All I Know But Look At How Big It Is!
Walked About 30 Minutes Out During Low Tide To Read This!
This Is An Under-Ice Observation Tube In Mcmurdo Station, Antarctica
Depth: Infinite Ft
Kids, who’s ready to go on the bottomless pit water slide? It feels like it never ends!
This Grounded Ship Looking Like A Giant Meg
Anybody Who Wants To Take A Dip?
Row Row Row Your Boat
That Last Point Made Me Double Take
Fresh Water Always Creeped Me Out More Than The Ocean. The General Low Visibility And Feeling "Enclosed" With Whatever Was In The Water Was Always Gnawing At The Back Of My Mind.
Hah the myth about that particular dolphin. They are shapshifting tricksters that will try to drown you and turn you into a dolphin and then morph into you and take your place in your family.
This Would Scare Me Tf Out
Flip (Floating Instrument Platform), A Ship Flipping Vertically To Study The Behavior Of Sound Waves Underwater
Going Through Old Pics, Thought I Would Drop This Here
Just a friendly shark debating if they are worth a selfie. (Upper right look for dark shape)
Black Lined Pools Are A Thing… And They’re Terrifying
It's A Nice Peaceful Day Until You Get A Glimpse Of What Lies Beneath
Found This Gem On Tumblr
Note: this post originally had 142 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.
I found these pictures mostly beautiful and calming. Water is my element.
If you can't touch the bottom it doesn't matter how deep the water is. Never understood why someone thinks swimming in a 100' deep water hole is more frightening then swimming in an 8' deep hole. Granted there's more likely to be a mega monster in the 100' foot but that's usually not what people claim to be afraid of. So many just say nope it's too deep... can't see the bottom... I guess it's all perspective.
I definitely have this phobia, and for me it isn’t depth it is absolutely “can’t see the bottom” which means “I can’t see what might be below me”. I have been scuba diving in very deep but very clear ocean water and it was fine. I have done swims across a small freshwater lake where I KNOW the biggest creature is no threat to me, and my brain staring into the infinity below me starts hallucinating giants just out of sight below me. I think it is that humans aren’t used to having “from below” as a direction of potential threat. Add in that anything down there would be completely silent as it approached and my brain just starts sweating in my skull. So much nope.
Load More Replies...
As I learned recently, and this list just proved, I am a massive thalassophobe.
Me too. Love walking the beach, but don't like being over or in deep water.
Load More Replies...
Somebody explain this, please. A “phobia” is an IRRATIONAL fear of something. How is Thalassophobia even a thing? Why would any land-dwelling creature NOT have a proper heightened awareness of a deep water situation and not stay on guard against a potential mishap? What am I missing in all this?
Because people suffering from this can have reactions from mild uncomfortable to peeing themselves with fear. Ever went swimming? Ever noticed that some people NEVER go swimming?
Load More Replies...
There are irrational fears and common sense. The ocean isn't a swimming pool, it can be very dangerous. Tourists come to Cape Cod and swim straight out into the ocean. Not in a Protected Area where the life guards are, but in a random location. Most are not strong swimmers. They are not visible from shore much sooner than they realize. Cape Cod's shark population has dramatically increased, there are other large sea creatures, and unexpected currents. Locals swim stay close to shore line. They aren't afraid, they respect the strength of the ocean and the creatures who live there.
water from hurricane harvey got all the way up to my front doorstep... no water in the house... the houses on either side flooded... harvey-2-6...273f7c.jpg 
My house almost flooded, but somehow the water went back down before it got inside.
Load More Replies...
I might have that thassalaphobia thing now. I never thought i did but now i got some palps.
I’m terrified of deep water, especially when I can’t see far in it, but I’m also a terrible swimmer, so I don’t think fear is so out of place! I grew up around a swimming pool, and could never get the hang of treading water or floating on my back, so if I’m stuck in the water I have to actively swim to keep afloat. That keeps me out of anything other than a swimming pool.
I tried to go through this article so many times, but my brain just said "Nope". Never made it past #15.
The biggest thing for me is the fact that, in the water. We are essentially at the lower tier of the food chain. Real low.
The ocean pics were scary, but what scared me more were those black tile pools. WHY do that to a pool? It just makes something that was inviting into something scary. I dunno, maybe it's just me.
Lovely and fascinating. Deadly and frightening. All of the emotions. The guts of some people who explore the deep are to be applauded! Mars was overcome by the ocean zillions of years ago through their climate change and then the salt evaporated leaving a toxic situation that humans could never breathe. Maybe we should continue to explore our own planet before wasting millions on one that is just a shot of how we are to end up?
Dark blue water is kinda frightening. Murky muddy water as well. Fear of anything being able to approach you because you're in the water. Doesn't help when I'm barely able to float and slow.
This post made me extremely anxious and terrified. I regret this scrolling session.
WHY did I do this to myself?? WHY did I look at all, and, more importantly, WHY did my dumb àss look right before bedtime??? God, please don't let me have nightmares!!!
Dear BP, Could you please put titles on each of your pictures to explain where they were taken?
Hanauma Bay Hawaii. Very large shallow coral bay covered in sand. Beautiful, lots of sea life. If you walk around the bay to the ocean, it drops off. I don't know how deep, but it is pretty startling. Can't find pics of the drop off.
These just make me want to go diving this weekend, am probably going any way, now I just wanna go more.
When i got to the bottom of this I realized I was holding my breath. That was stressful!
I'm a coastal girl, it's not the ocean or deep water I fear. Things lurk below, I get it, the unknown doesn't bother me. I hate is being trapped. The images of people under icebergs?! NO THANK YOU!
I grew up swimming in an abandoned Quarry, they hit water and flooded. You could still see the old machinery as you swim to the other side of the lake, it was very eerie but also very cool. You also had to walk through and abandoned mini town to get there, there was an old gas station, and the rest was swallowed by nature.
For me it starts with my smallness in the vastness, then you add the not being able to see the bottom...and all the creatures...I used to scubadive 30+ years ago...jumped out of perfectly good airplanes, climbed Mt Fuji several times, rappelled off cliffs on Cheju'do...too...I am still trying to figure out why
First time I read the comments in between the pictures. Interesting facts.
Yeah, it’s a shame. Some of them are Photoshopped into oblivion like the one with the skull appearing in the ocean waves and yet some people still believe the images are real and get even more scared of the ocean.
Load More Replies...
Go to the end of the thread, where it says "Note: this post originally had 142 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.", and click on the number '142'. This will bring you to the original, extended post. The additional photos that didn't make the cut start at item number 51. Enjoy!
Load More Replies...
I can sort of understand where the fear comes from, maybe it's fear of being attacked by some sea creature, maybe it's just that being in deep water can make you feel incredibly small. Personally, the feeling of being a tiny piece of a very large world is humbling in profoundly beautiful way. It's one of the reasons I fell in love with surfing.
Homestead Crater, Midway UT -- warm water cave diving at its best. Warm, nothing gonna bite you, benches set into the water like a hot tub for those who don't dive. Peaceful and beautiful.
I must confess, none of these would bother me, with the possible exception of the waves with the seaweed. When I did a Swimtrek tour a few years ago, I found myself swimming over scuba divers at one point who were at least 10 metres below me. I almost waved at them before I realized that they wouldn't see it. I love the water despite falling into a creek that was over my head at age 4 or 5. Or maybe because of that?
I found these pictures mostly beautiful and calming. Water is my element.
If you can't touch the bottom it doesn't matter how deep the water is. Never understood why someone thinks swimming in a 100' deep water hole is more frightening then swimming in an 8' deep hole. Granted there's more likely to be a mega monster in the 100' foot but that's usually not what people claim to be afraid of. So many just say nope it's too deep... can't see the bottom... I guess it's all perspective.
I definitely have this phobia, and for me it isn’t depth it is absolutely “can’t see the bottom” which means “I can’t see what might be below me”. I have been scuba diving in very deep but very clear ocean water and it was fine. I have done swims across a small freshwater lake where I KNOW the biggest creature is no threat to me, and my brain staring into the infinity below me starts hallucinating giants just out of sight below me. I think it is that humans aren’t used to having “from below” as a direction of potential threat. Add in that anything down there would be completely silent as it approached and my brain just starts sweating in my skull. So much nope.
Load More Replies... As I learned recently, and this list just proved, I am a massive thalassophobe.
Me too. Love walking the beach, but don't like being over or in deep water.
Load More Replies... Somebody explain this, please. A “phobia” is an IRRATIONAL fear of something. How is Thalassophobia even a thing? Why would any land-dwelling creature NOT have a proper heightened awareness of a deep water situation and not stay on guard against a potential mishap? What am I missing in all this?
Because people suffering from this can have reactions from mild uncomfortable to peeing themselves with fear. Ever went swimming? Ever noticed that some people NEVER go swimming?
Load More Replies... There are irrational fears and common sense. The ocean isn't a swimming pool, it can be very dangerous. Tourists come to Cape Cod and swim straight out into the ocean. Not in a Protected Area where the life guards are, but in a random location. Most are not strong swimmers. They are not visible from shore much sooner than they realize. Cape Cod's shark population has dramatically increased, there are other large sea creatures, and unexpected currents. Locals swim stay close to shore line. They aren't afraid, they respect the strength of the ocean and the creatures who live there.
water from hurricane harvey got all the way up to my front doorstep... no water in the house... the houses on either side flooded... harvey-2-6...273f7c.jpg
My house almost flooded, but somehow the water went back down before it got inside.
Load More Replies... I might have that thassalaphobia thing now. I never thought i did but now i got some palps.
I’m terrified of deep water, especially when I can’t see far in it, but I’m also a terrible swimmer, so I don’t think fear is so out of place! I grew up around a swimming pool, and could never get the hang of treading water or floating on my back, so if I’m stuck in the water I have to actively swim to keep afloat. That keeps me out of anything other than a swimming pool.
I tried to go through this article so many times, but my brain just said "Nope". Never made it past #15.
The biggest thing for me is the fact that, in the water. We are essentially at the lower tier of the food chain. Real low.
The ocean pics were scary, but what scared me more were those black tile pools. WHY do that to a pool? It just makes something that was inviting into something scary. I dunno, maybe it's just me.
Lovely and fascinating. Deadly and frightening. All of the emotions. The guts of some people who explore the deep are to be applauded! Mars was overcome by the ocean zillions of years ago through their climate change and then the salt evaporated leaving a toxic situation that humans could never breathe. Maybe we should continue to explore our own planet before wasting millions on one that is just a shot of how we are to end up?
Dark blue water is kinda frightening. Murky muddy water as well. Fear of anything being able to approach you because you're in the water. Doesn't help when I'm barely able to float and slow.
This post made me extremely anxious and terrified. I regret this scrolling session.
WHY did I do this to myself?? WHY did I look at all, and, more importantly, WHY did my dumb àss look right before bedtime??? God, please don't let me have nightmares!!!
Dear BP, Could you please put titles on each of your pictures to explain where they were taken?
Hanauma Bay Hawaii. Very large shallow coral bay covered in sand. Beautiful, lots of sea life. If you walk around the bay to the ocean, it drops off. I don't know how deep, but it is pretty startling. Can't find pics of the drop off.
These just make me want to go diving this weekend, am probably going any way, now I just wanna go more.
When i got to the bottom of this I realized I was holding my breath. That was stressful!
I'm a coastal girl, it's not the ocean or deep water I fear. Things lurk below, I get it, the unknown doesn't bother me. I hate is being trapped. The images of people under icebergs?! NO THANK YOU!
I grew up swimming in an abandoned Quarry, they hit water and flooded. You could still see the old machinery as you swim to the other side of the lake, it was very eerie but also very cool. You also had to walk through and abandoned mini town to get there, there was an old gas station, and the rest was swallowed by nature.
For me it starts with my smallness in the vastness, then you add the not being able to see the bottom...and all the creatures...I used to scubadive 30+ years ago...jumped out of perfectly good airplanes, climbed Mt Fuji several times, rappelled off cliffs on Cheju'do...too...I am still trying to figure out why
First time I read the comments in between the pictures. Interesting facts.
Yeah, it’s a shame. Some of them are Photoshopped into oblivion like the one with the skull appearing in the ocean waves and yet some people still believe the images are real and get even more scared of the ocean.
Load More Replies... Go to the end of the thread, where it says "Note: this post originally had 142 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.", and click on the number '142'. This will bring you to the original, extended post. The additional photos that didn't make the cut start at item number 51. Enjoy!
Load More Replies... I can sort of understand where the fear comes from, maybe it's fear of being attacked by some sea creature, maybe it's just that being in deep water can make you feel incredibly small. Personally, the feeling of being a tiny piece of a very large world is humbling in profoundly beautiful way. It's one of the reasons I fell in love with surfing.
Homestead Crater, Midway UT -- warm water cave diving at its best. Warm, nothing gonna bite you, benches set into the water like a hot tub for those who don't dive. Peaceful and beautiful.
I must confess, none of these would bother me, with the possible exception of the waves with the seaweed. When I did a Swimtrek tour a few years ago, I found myself swimming over scuba divers at one point who were at least 10 metres below me. I almost waved at them before I realized that they wouldn't see it. I love the water despite falling into a creek that was over my head at age 4 or 5. Or maybe because of that?
