The ocean makes up over 70% of the Earth’s surface, yet it’s one of the planet’s biggest mysteries. Humans have only explored a tiny portion of the sea. Hundreds of thousands of species live their best ocean lives out there, and we simply don’t know about them. The ocean has always filled humans with joy, reverence, awe, and fear – sometimes all at the same time. Maybe humans react this way because of how vast and unknowable the ocean truly is. Some people have a genuine fear of deep bodies of water, called thalassophobia. If you are one of those people, maybe don’t read this article! A recent r/AskReddit thread asked people to share their creepiest, scariest ocean stories, and they delivered. We’ve put together the best, most horrifying stories for you to scroll through at your own risk.
#1: Free Hugs
Someone shared the most terrifying experience they ever had while free diving. Let’s just say that after reading this story, we never want to try free diving. They were out in the ocean depths when suddenly an octopus came up from behind them and began to “hug” their body, tighter and tighter.
When they tried to loosen the octopus’ grip, the animal clung on tighter! Eventually, the octopus let go, and this person got away safely. They tried to downplay the terrifying event by saying “it doesn’t sound creepy” to most people. Excuse us?! That is THE creepiest thing we’ve ever heard!