The 35 Best Songs About the Ocean

There is something about the ocean that makes songwriters put pen to paper. Maybe it’s the vastness, the beauty, the fun, the relaxation, or the mystery of the sea. The oceanic musical themes vary widely, but there is no question that the sea has inspired countless songs through the years. While a list of the best ocean songs is admittedly subjective, here are 35 of the absolute best tunes about beaches, islands, sand, surf, and the sea.

1. “Surfin’ USA” — The Beach Boys

When a group has “Beach” in their name, they simply must be included in a list of the best ocean songs of all time. The Beach Boys defined the surf music sound in the 1960s (even though only one band member, Dennis Wilson, actually knew how to surf!). One of their earl and most well-known hits, was “Surfin’ USA.” The very first line of the song ponders what would happen “if everybody had an ocean.” The song posits that, if that were true, everybody would be surfing all across the United States, just like they do in California.

2. “Only the Ocean” — Jack Johnson

Jack Johnson is a singer/songwriter from Hawaii. His father, Jeff Johnson, was a famous surfer. Jack followed in his father’s footsteps and became a professional surfer himself before turning to music. He wrote “Only the Ocean” as a tribute to his late father. The slow, smooth feel of the song is sure to stir nostalgia and emotions in anyone that feels a connection to the ocean’s waves.

3. “The Ocean” — Led Zepplin

This song is probably about crowds of people rather than the sea. When Robert Plant sang the line, “Singing to an ocean, I can hear the ocean’s roar,” he was probably referring to the ocean of faces in the crowd and the roar of their applause. Still, it’s not hard to transpose the meaning to the actual ocean. Singing on a beach, listening to the roar of the ocean…we vote yes.

4. “Escape (The Piña Colada Song)” — Rupert Holmes

This infectious tune tells of two lovers rediscovering each other, as well as their shared affinity for the feel of the ocean, getting caught in the rain, and, of course, piña coladas. The song has an unmistakable tropical vibe but beware: it’s an earworm that you’ll probably be singing for the rest of the day.

5. “Toes” — Zac Brown Band

The lyrics in this song from the Zac Brown Band have universal appeal. Who hasn’t wanted to escape the prison of “concrete and cars” in exchange for a spot on the beach? Zac Brown regales us with the relaxed feelings he experiences when his toes are in the water,r and his posterior is in the sand.

6. “In the Summertime” — Mungo Jerry

Everybody is familiar with this summer classic. The British band, Mungo Jerry, scored a one-hit wonder when this song went to the top of the charts in 1970. Perhaps that’s because everyone dreams of summer days like the ones described in the song. “​​When the weather’s fine, we go fishing or go swimming in the sea. We’re always happy, life’s for living, yeah, that’s our philosophy” We couldn’t agree more.

7. “Island in the Sun” — Weezer

This cover of a song by Harry Belafonte is a relaxed jam that will have you dreaming of a tropical island. The lyrics tell of going on a holiday to an island in the sun surrounded by the golden sea. Crank this one up. It’s guaranteed to make you feel “hip hip.” 

8. “At the Beach” — The Avett Brothers

There aren’t too many songs about the ocean that feature a banjo/bluegrass vibe, but leave it to The Avett Brothers to break the mold. This happy song about the “sand beneath our feet” and the “big blue ocean” is perfect if you want a beach song that doesn’t have a stereotypical tropical sound.

9. “Beachin’” — Jake Owen

This Jake Owen tune celebrates the romantic atmosphere of the beach. The “white caps,” “low tide,” and “white sand” all add to the atmosphere that fuels the passion between the couple in the song. If you’re planning a beach getaway with your sweetheart, this jam belongs on your playlist.

10. “Surf City” — Jan and Dean

Brian Wilson from The Beach Boys wrote most of the lyrics for “Surf City,” the only number-one hit for Jan and Dean. The duo of William Jan Berry and Dean Ormsby Torrence were pioneers in the California sound in the 1960s, but the popularity of the Beach Boys eclipsed them. Still, this song’s lyrics about “shooting the curl and checkin’ out the parties for a surfer girl” made it a staple of summertime beach music. 

11. “Come Sail Away” — Styx

Styx released this iconic sailing song in 1977. The singer reflects on the freedom he finds when he sets sail on the ocean. It stirs memories, “some happy, some sad.” That’s when he encounters what he believes were angels, but it turned out to be a close encounter of the third kind. The singer ends up sailing away, but not in the way he had planned. The song was released about a month after Star Wars hit theaters, so the whole space/alien thing may not have seemed so strange at the time. Weird or not, this song is still a banger.

12. “Some Beach” — Blake Shelton

If you say a certain swear phrase quickly, it sounds a little bit like “some beach,” which is the point of this song. Blake Shelton laments the experiences of a very bad day. Some dude flipped him the bird in a road rage incident. Then his parking spot was stolen. Then he went to the dentist, who started drilling into his tooth before the novocaine kicked in. All the while, he was dreaming of the “salty evening air on some beach, somewhere.” If you’ve ever dreamed of a little ocean therapy in the midst of a rotten day, this song totally gets you.

13. “Beyond the Sea” — Bobby Darin

This classic song tells of two lovers that are separated by the sea. The singer is sure that his beloved is standing “on golden sands,” watching “the ships go sailin’.” He dreams of crossing the sea so the couple can be reunited. It is actually an English version of a French song, but the lyrics were changed rather than simply translated. The French version is more of a sailor’s song, while the English version,n made famous by Bobby Dari,n is more of a love song. Still, the sea is the centerpiece of both tunes.

14. “Orinoco Flow (Sail Away)” — Enya

The lyrics of this song are minimal, but they are distinctly oceanic. For example, the song talks about sailing away on the Yellow Sea, which is part of the Western Pacific Ocean between China and the Korean Peninsula. The simple lyrics mesh with the ethereal feel that is Enya’s trademark. It is sure to make you want to say, “Sail away, sail away, sail away.”

15. “Cake by the Ocean” — DNCE

Countless songs refer to tropical drinks beside the sea, but few talk about eating cake by the ocean. A slice of delicious cake by the sea sounds heavenly, so we can totally see why someone would sing about it. (Jimmy Buffet did sing about nibbling on sponge cake long before this DNCE tune was released. More on that later.) In reality, the song is more euphemistic than that. It is more about a seaside tryst than an actual dessert. But if you want to keep it straightforward and just think about eating a slice of cake on the beach, go for it.

16. “Yellow Submarine” — The Beatles

This 1966 song from the Fab Four has been subjected to much scrutiny and various interpretations. Many insist it has an underlying meaning about war or drugs. It has been played at various political protests. However, Paul McCartney, who wrote most of the lyrics, insists there is no subtext. It is a simple children’s song about life under the sea in a yellow submarine. 

17. “Rockaway Beach” — The Ramones

There is definitely no underlying meaning to this tune. It is a straightforward rock song with a driving beat, and the lyrics are all about the need to soak up the sun on this popular beach in Queens. Sometimes the need to go to the ocean isn’t all that complicated.

18. “Barefootin’” — Scotty McCreery

As seen in many ocean-themed songs, there is something about the sea that puts couples in a romantic mood. In this song, Scotty McCreery sings about dancing on a dance floor that is actually just a beach at low tide. Of course, since they are on the beach, they are dancing barefoot. He says that he and his beloved have “the motion of the ocean going on right now.” The rest of the evening for this couple seems rather self-explanatory.

19. “Margaritaville” — Jimmy Buffett

You knew we would eventually get to this one, right? Jimmy Buffet is nibbling on sponge cake (as mentioned earlier), smelling a shrimp boil, and drinking a margarita (though he lost his shaker of salt). Jimmy Buffet wrote the song in Key West, Florida, so that ocean setting was likely the inspiration for this tropical classic. The song seems carefree, but it is actually about a man seeking to escape his romantic troubles with a mix of a sandy beach and the “frozen concoction that helps [him] hang on.”

20. “Two Piña Coladas” — Garth Brooks

Sticking with the alcohol theme, Garth Brooks released a song in 1998 that would make Jimmy Buffet proud. The song recounts a man who was watching the news on TV when a reporter delivered some important information. “He said I’m tellin’ you that science has proved, that heartaches are healed by the sea.” That is all the man needed to hear. He packed his bags and headed for the ocean. Once he arrived, he asked for “two piña coladas” so he could have “one for each hand.”

21. “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” — Otis Redding

Otis Redding recorded this classic song in 1967, just a few days before he died in a plane crash. The song tells of a man who traveled 2,000 miles from his home in Georgia to San Francisco. Once he arrived in California, he spent his time “sittin’ on the dock of the bay, watchin’ the tide roll away.” It captures an oft-repeated theme in ocean songs: the sea represents our efforts to escape the pain and trouble of everyday life.

22. “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride” — Lilo and Stitch

This song from Disney’s Lilo and Stitch soundtrack is a great ocean tune for both parents and kids. The singer longs to be on his surfboard, “lingering in the ocean blue.” He’s waiting to catch a wave, which he calls “the Hawaiian roller coaster ride.” The lyrics in the Hawaiian language make it even more fun. Aloha!

23. “Under the Sea” — The Little Mermaid

While we’re on the subject of ocean-themed Disney movies, we can’t possibly ignore The Little Mermaid. The entire movie is set in the ocean, with a soundtrack of ocean-themed songs to accompany it. In the song “Under the Sea,” Sebastian tries to convince Ariel that life is much better in the ocean than it is on land. He tells her, “The human world, it’s a mess.” Hard to argue with that. Instead of desiring to live in the human world, Sebastian reminds Ariel that, “We got no troubles, life is the bubbles, under the sea.” That crustacean has a point. The life he describes sounds pretty darn good.

24. “How Far I’ll Go” — Moana

How about one more from Walt Disney? Moana became an instant classic in 2016, thanks in no small part to the movie’s soundtrack. “How Far I’ll Go” is all about the mystery and adventure presented by the ocean. How far does the ocean stretch? Moana is convinced she can find out. She sings, “If the wind in my sail on the sea stays behind me, one day I’ll know how far I’ll go.”

25. “Wipeout” — The Surfaris

This classic tune has one word in the whole song. After a giddy laugh, we hear the word, “Wipeout.” Then the song takes off in a rollicking instrumental that is the very definition of a beach vibe. Whether you are surfing or just laughing at those who wipe out, it’s a fun reminder of what beach life is like.

26. “Ocean Eyes” — Billie Eilish

Billie Eilish recorded this song in 2016. It poetically describes the thrill, but also the danger, of falling in love. Eilish compares the eyes of her beloved to the ocean. The ocean is deep, mysterious, and dangerous, mirroring what a new romantic relationship can be like.

27. “Sand and Sea” — Frank Sinatra

This swinging tune was included in Frank Sinatra’s 1966 album, That’s Life. It features the smooth sound of Ol’ Blue Eyes as he croons about the “sand and sea,” creating the perfect place for a romantic rendezvous. 

28. “La Isla Bonita” — Madonna

The song title is Spanish for “The Beautiful Island.” It was originally written for Michael Jackson but became a hit for Madonna in 1986. The tune has a Latin beat as Madonna sings about the island breeze off of the warm sea and the romance that can happen in such a locale.

29. “Somewhere on the Beach” — Dierks Bentley

This tune portrays the ocean as the perfect setting for getting over a bad relationship. In the song, a man heads to the beach, where he meets a new woman. This new tropical romance helped him move on from his old relationship, and he swears he’s not going back. After all, he says, “I went wheels up on a runway, and that ticket was one-way.”

30. “Tiny Bubbles” — Don Ho

Can we really have a discussion of ocean songs without Don Ho? No! The Hawaiian singer’s most famous hit, “Tiny Bubbles,” was released in 1966. In the song, he toasts the “golden moon” and the “silver sea” as he enjoys the “tiny bubbles” in his wine. Sounds good to us.

31. “Ocean Front Property” — George Strait

How about an ocean song with a setting that is nowhere near the ocean? In this tune, George Strait sings about how he wouldn’t miss his girl if she left him. He was being facetious, though. If she believes that he wouldn’t miss her, then he has some oceanfront property he’d like to sell her. He even claims that you can “see the sea” from his front porch. However, this property is in Arizona. Anyone who would believe he wouldn’t miss her could just as easily believe there is an oceanfront property in Arizona.

32. “I Want to Go to the Beach” — Iggy Pop

This song is a departure from the many happy, upbeat songs that have populated this list, but it speaks to the theme of the ocean as a place to find solace from pain. The singer isn’t sure where his “spirit went.” The “particles of pain” in his mind continue to haunt him. His solution? “I want to go to the beach.”

33. “Blue Hawaii” — Elvis Presley

“Blue Hawaii” was included on the soundtrack of the movie with the same name. In this song, Elvis invites his romantic interest to, “Come with me, while the moon is on the sea. The night is young, and so are we.” This tune features a slow, swaying melody line that is almost stereotypically Hawaiian.

34. “Under the Boardwalk” — The Drifters

This classic from 1964 reflects on the summertime heat. In fact, it is so hot that it “burns the tar up on the roof.” In sweltering weather such as this, there is only one place to be: “under the boardwalk, down by the sea.” Yep.

35. “No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems” — Kenny Chesney

In this tune, Kenny Chesney laments that he is fed up with the long, hard work weeks that never seem to end. He decides it’s time to head for the coast in Mexico, where he can forget his blues. Instead of the strict attire required for work, he is now in a place where the dress code is simple: “No shoes, no shirt, no problems.”

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