Gifts for Ocean Lovers

5 Gifts Every Thalassophile Will LOVE

There's something about the ocean, isn't there? Growing up on Oahu and spending my summers in San Diego, my life has always revolved around going to the beach. My spoiled younger years were spent slipping beneath giant waves at Makapu'u, trying to find sand crabs along the shoreline in Mission Beach, and failing miserably at surfing at Diamond Head. The exposure to this powerful force on our planet only made me love it more.

I think a lot of you probably feel the same, drawn to something that is as magical as it is scientific. That's why I compiled some of my five gift ideas that I'm sure any ocean lover will be happy to receive.

1. Books about the ocean

I could write an entire blog post just about my favorite books about the ocean (and maybe I will) but here are the top three books that I'd recommend as gifts for ocean lovers.

The Wave by Susan Casey - This book is a gorgeous work of creative non-fiction that delves into the science of giant waves while weaving in the spirituality that comes with experiencing these waves from the perspective of big wave surfers, sea captains, and scientists. 

The Blue Machine by Helen Czerski - I'm currently reading this book, and perhaps part of my enthusiasm for it is because I finished the first few pages as I landed in Kona, Hawaiii. The beginning of the book is a captivating description of what is happening in Kona at the National Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority (NEHLA) and the sustainable energy we can just by accessing the contrasting temperatures of the ocean.

Also consider... this coffee table book is a beautiful collection of shark images, captured by a former shark attack surviver who did not despise the fish that attacked him, but rather learned more about them and the important role they play and why the should be protected. 

2. Waterproof Watch

I can't count the number of times I've snuck in a quick dip between obliigations and have then found myself panicking in the ocean about what time it is. I also spent a lot of my childhood (and again now as a 33-year-old) asking for rides from my parents and subsequently needing to know I had to be out of the water and ready for pickup.

Whether you're buying for a flighty beach bum like me or a surfer on a schedule, a waterproof sports watch is such a great find. 

3. A Beach Clean-Up 

I'm not the only one who feels this way, there's recently been a shift toward experiences rather than things. This is especially true for ocean lovers who are looking for ways to create less waste. I've recently been loving beach clean-ups, but that's often because I'm doing them with friends and we spend most of it catching up (while also picking up trash). If you have a friend who loves the ocean, consider planning a beach clean-up—and maybe tack on a coffee or lunch—as a gift.

4. Shark Expert Experience with Justin Blake

Speaking of experiences, during lockdown, I scheduled this Airbnb Experience for a shark-enthusiast friend and absolutely loved it. Not only was this a fun way to learn some sweet facts, but 100% of what you pay goes to The RockHopper Fund which is a registered South African Charity focused on making Smarter Reserves and Healthier Oceans. I loved the experience so much that I ended up subscribing to Justin's email newsletter which shares incredibly insightful news focused on the ocean and sustainability. 

5. Donating to an ocean-focused non-profit

Not all of us can do the work that’s required to keep our oceans healthy. Even if we volunteer on occasion, the vast majority of ocean lovers aren’t able to make it their full-time job. There are, however, people and non-profits that are doing the work—and they need donations in order to keep their operations running. Consider making a donation or buying a membership to a non-profit or foundation that is doing good work.

Two that come to mind are:

1. The Surfrider Foundation (I volunteer for their bluewater task force and beach cleanups and have seen the work they’re doing with community science + beach restoration + certifying restaurants to be ocean-safe and know they’re doing good for our waters!).

2. Waves for Water - I actually learned about this one on a podcast and was really moved by the origin story of a surfer who was traveling the world to surf, and realized that he could make a material impact on the places he visited.