30+ Calming and Awesome Ocean Tattoo Ideas for Men & Women in 2024
Have you ever wondered why it’s so calming to look at the sea? As if the waves could wash away all your worries and doubts, the Ocean has always been so refreshing and appealing to many people. Perhaps that’s why a lot of ink lovers want an Ocean tattoo. Some people even associate Ocean tattoos with the journey of self-reflection, growth, and transformation. What a meaningful inspiration the Ocean is!
But before you go and get your own Ocean tattoo, let us help guide you in choosing the perfect piece of ink. Below we’ll show you the most beautiful, most stunning, and most pleasing ocean tattoo ideas for 2024. You’ll surely be inspired with the perfect idea of which tattoo style to get, as well as where to get tattooed on your body.
With that said, let’s begin.
Micro Realistic Arm Tattoo of the Ocean Tattoo Ideas
I absolutely love the perspective of this one, because it brings us straight under the water! The rays of sunshine are such a delicate touch, and the artist did an amazing job of illustrating how the light passes through the water. Wonderful job done by artist IG: @tattooist_sigak
IG: tattooist_sigak
Micro Realistic Tattoo of Ocean Waves over Biceps Tattoo Ideas
There’s something very uniquely melancholic about that choice, and it absolutely grabs my attention. I really enjoy the orange and yellow glistening off of the water’s surface, which look so lively and dimensional! The vastness of the Ocean is apparent even within the frame of this tattoo.
IG: opal.tattoo
Micro Realistic Forearm Tattoo of Harbor Tattoo Ideas
Another Micro Realistic design on the arm, but this one features a beautiful scene near a harbor. I really like how the sky is just strips of different blue shades, completely contrasting with the Realistic style of the picture below. Such a pleasant detail that makes it a lot more interesting to look at.
IG: opal.tattoo
Linework Watercolor Forearm Tattoo of Boat Sailing in the Ocean Tattoo Ideas
Everything about this piece is just genuinely dreamy. I love the pastel color palette, and how well these shades of purple and blue go with each other. The sparkling stars and the shadows of the birds both make the scene so poetic. Of course, we can’t forget to give credit to the artist IG: @plastic_tattoo for such lovely work!
IG: plastic_tattoo
Color Tattoo of Waves and the Crescent Moon on ForeArm Tattoo Ideas
Here’s an interesting fact that you should be aware of. The shiny stuff in the photo is vaseline, it’s not part of the tattoo. Lots of artists take pictures like this because they think it looks cool. I really enjoy the peaceful, calming vibe coming off of this tattoo, complete with a Crescent moon and Japanese style-inspired waves . The artist, @woorin_tattoo, has a very unique approach that gives all of her works a soothing feel. If you like this one, check out her page for more at IG: @woorin_tattoo
Color Tattoo of Waves over Biceps Tattoo Ideas
This one is such a simple but eye-catching tattoo, again reminiscent of the iconic Japanese artwork, “The Wave Off Kanagawa”. I like the deep shades of blue that stand out against the white and gray. In fact, Korean artist @y.newbro does a lot of beautiful designs like this one, and her blue colors are always so gorgeous. Don’t miss out on her collection!
IG: y.newbro
Color Upper Arm Tattoo of Moonlight Sea Tattoo Ideas
This is another design coming from artist IG: @plastic_tattoo and it’s absolutely gorgeous. I love the subtle dabs of Watercolor which are used to create the dreamy-looking sky; in fact the whole piece looks like a dream. The focal point, the full moon, also stands out very well, highlighted by all the sparkling stars.
IG: plastic_tattoo
Black and Gray Arm Tattoo of Waves Tattoo Ideas
Our first Black and Gray piece on this list, which looks wonderful to me. I really like how the waves go past the invisible frame of the piece, creating a very surreal, dreamlike feeling. The white highlights on the waves also look very nice, giving them a pleasantly shimmering look.
IG: start.your.line
Upper Arm Tattoo of Heart-Shaped Golden Waves with Lettering Tattoo Ideas
This design is just so precious! I absolutely adore the golden gleam on the waves, which makes the whole piece look like a delicate and priceless piece of jewelry. The text reads “full of feeling”, which works really well with the sentiment of the whole design! Again you can see those Japanese-inspired waves.
IG: tattooist_toma
Realistic Polaroid Style Upper Arm Tattoo of Ocean Tattoo Ideas
This design is just absolutely refreshing, and amazing! It actually looks like a stamp.I like how the artist packed all the big waves within such a small frame of a stamp, something that obviously requires skill. There’s an old-time, nostalgic feeling to the piece that really draws me in too. Props to the artist for doing a great job!
IG: tattooist_mul
Minimal Ankle Tattoo of Waves and Stars Tattoo Ideas
Guess you can see by now the influence of the Japanese artwork “The Wave Over Kanagawa” in many tattoos of the Ocean. This particular piece is a nice option for those of you who are looking for something small and simple. I love how the sparkle of the stars and the sea foam blend together, as if this is where the sky meets the ocean. Such a lovely and dreamy piece!
IG: handitrip
Custom Upper Arm Tattoo of Sunrise over the Sea Tattoo Ideas
The idea of this design is brilliant: seashells and waves make a beautiful frame through which we have a gorgeous view of the sunrise. I really like the use of the red and white highlights, as if to reflect the bright warm sunlight. There’s a nice symmetry to the composition of the piece, too, that’s so pleasant on the eye.
IG: second.pin
Black and Gray Full-Sleeve Tattoo of Underwater Ecosystem Tattoo Ideas
If you’re looking for something detailed, impressive and absolutely mind-blowing, this full-sleeve design might be exactly for you. I admire how the artist manages to recreate a whole underwater ecosystem on this client’s arm, and this work doesn’t even look like it’s finished yet. If you want to see the full version of this design, don’t forget to check out the artist’s profile at IG: @flyingfishtattoo
IG: flyingfishtattoo
Micro Realistic Tattoo of Sunlight Underwater Tattoo Ideas
Very similar to the first one we’ve shown you on the list, right? They’re from the same artist, and perhaps the same flash. It’s interesting to me how the shades of the water look different depending on the client’s skin. So don’t forget to take that into consideration when choosing your perfect design!
IG: tattooist_sigak
Minimal ArmBand Tattoo of Waves and Whale Tail Tattoo Ideas
I find it so delightful how this design goes all the way around the client’s arm, like a dazzling accessory. The way it’s designed is really unique, too: from afar he tiny sea foam looks like pieces of gemstones. Fun fact, there’s actually some lettering on the other side of the design. Check it out right here at IG: @handitrip
IG: handitrip
Mico Realistic Forearm Tattoo of the Beach Tattoo Ideas
This design looks like a beautiful painting to me, probably because of the invisible rectangular frame. I also enjoy the fact that we can vaguely see the sand of the beach, and how close in color it is to the client’s skin tone. A captivating design with excellent execution!
IG: tattooist_won
Linework Forearm Tattoo of Whale Jumping Out of the Ocean Tattoo Ideas
This delightful piece features such a happy, joyful whale playing in the water. I really like how natural and gleaming the drops of water look, thanks to the use of white highlights. You should also note that the Linework in this piece, used in place of shading, is absolutely immaculate, too!
IG: zezitattoo
Minimal Sketch Style Tattoo of Ocean Tattoo Ideas
Another piece with a very pleasant, old-time vibe. I love how simple and elegant everything looks, from the window frame to the seaside scenery. It looks like the artist actuallytook pen to paper to sketch this design. If you’re curious about the photograph models of this design, definitely check out the artist’s page at IG: @pelinnsimsek.
IG: pelinnsimsek
Micro Realistic Tattoo of Boy on Boat at Sunset Tattoo Ideas
Such a vibrant, attention-grabbing design! I love the color palette of this piece, and how well all of these vivid colors mesh together to create a magnificent scene. The shadow of the boy and his boat looks really poetic, too. And I adore the birds flying out of the frame, as if toward the hot air balloon above.
IG: opal.tattoo
Micro Realistic Tattoo of Waves on Upper Arm Tattoo Ideas
Looking familiar? This is again another piece inspired by “The Wave Over Kanagawa”. For such a small design, there’s a “boatload” of movement, thanks to the beautiful flow of the waves and all the surrounding negative or uninked space. If you haven’t noticed, this one is also by artist IG: @handitrip
IG: handitrip
Black and Gray Arm Tattoo of Boat and Big Waves Tattoo Ideas
Different from most of the designs we’ve seen, this piece has a little bit of a frightening twist. I love how massive and dangerous the waves look here, compared to the boat. Even the sun and the clouds, although gorgeous, look threatening somehow. Maybe these dimensions are used to depict how small we really are compared to the vast Ocean!
IG: start.your.line
Minimal Tattoo of Waves and Sun on Upper Arm Tattoo Ideas
Looking at this piece is such a delight! I love how the lines are so colorful that no shading is needed for the piece to stand out. This is Minimal style at its best where…Less Is More. The beautiful lines, combined with all the negative or uninked space, more than suggest the vastness of the Ocean. Check out the artist at IG: IG: @soy_tattoo_
IG: soy_tattoo_
Black and Gray Tattoo of the Sea with Brush Effect Tattoo Ideas
The idea behind this design is so interesting. The Brush effect makes these black dashes look so much like big waves. The fascinating contrast is that the actual sea water within the frame seems to be quiet and calm. The beautifully inked sun at the top is then like “The Cherry on Top”.
IG: stateofmindink
Minimal Armband Tattoo of Waves and Crescent Moon Tattoo Ideas
Another simple but stunning piece from artist IG: @handitrip. Just like the other one that we’ve shown you, this design goes around the client’s arm and has a nice little surprise on the other side. Curious? Here’s a giveaway: it’s a beautiful sea creature you’ll have to see to believe!
IG: handitrip
Custom Neo-Traditional Inspired Tattoo of Whale and Waves with Linework Tattoo Ideas
A Neo-Traditional influence can be seen in this design with how the whale is inked with a bold black outline. Alternatively, beautiful Linework is used to lend a graceful, dreamy look to the waves, making them look almost like clouds! Props to the artist IG: @marinalatre
IG: marinalatre
Minimal Tattoo of Waves on Side of Finger Tattoo Ideas
I really like the placement of this one, because it’s not too revealing, but it’s still easy to show off. The simple design is very pleasant, with clean, balletic lines intertwining with each other. And the blue is to die for! Another lovely work by artist IG: @soy_tattoo_
IG: soy_tattoo_
Micro Realistic Arm Tattoo of Ocean Tattoo Ideas
Such an exquisite-looking design on this client’s arm! I really like how it looks like waves in the Ocean and cracks in marble at the same time. It’s funny how you can find things that look similar in the most unexpected places. That’s how wonderful nature is!
IG: tattooist_mul
Custom Thigh Tattoo of the Beach at Sunset Tattoo Ideas
Last but definitely not least, I want to show you something that looks to me like a gorgeous Watercolor painting. I love how nicely all the colors mesh together, and how it almost seems like there’s a sea of clouds in the sky. The white stars are a very nice touch, too, making the whole piece a utopian, heavenly scene.
IG: y.newbro
We hope you found what you were looking for and had as much fun looking at these tattoos as we had writing about them. Until next time, happy inking!
