5 Times the Ocean Humbled Me

The ocean doesn’t care about your confidence, your itinerary, or your ego.

It’s wild, unpredictable, and breathtakingly beautiful—but never to be underestimated. I’ve had more than a few moments underwater that reminded me just how small I am in the grand rhythm of the sea. Here are five times the ocean checked me—and left me in awe.

1. Nosebleed at 40 Feet (While Diving with Sharks)

There’s nothing like "calmly diving with a group of sharks—until you realize your nose is bleeding inside your mask. I felt fine at first, just taking in the surreal moment of floating among these majestic, misunderstood creatures. Then I noticed the red cloud forming and thought, So this is how it happens…Luckily, nothing came of it—but it was a sharp reminder that in their world, you need to stay aware, stay grounded, and respect the environment you're entering.

Selfie with a bloody mask

2. Diving Through Lava Tubes in the Dark

Exploring underwater lava tubes was one of the most disorienting, exhilarating dives I’ve ever done. Twisting tunnels, tight spaces, flickers of light slicing through ancient volcanic stone—it felt like swimming through the veins of the Earth.

There were moments I couldn’t see the exit. Just walls of rock and shadows, and the trust that my breath and my buoyancy would carry me through. It was beautiful—but it was also a reminder: nature doesn’t bend to your comfort zone. You have to rise to meet it.

3. Surprise Jellyfish Encounter

One second I was enjoying a peaceful swim in crystal-clear water, the next I was face-to-face with a pulsing wall of jellyfish. No warning. No escape route. Just suspended in a slow-motion ballet of stinging tentacles and translucent bodies. I moved as gently as I could, praying not to get lit up—and somehow made it through without a sting. But man, the ocean really said, “Welcome to the show. Watch your step.”

4. Ride on a Whale Shark (Unintentional, But Unforgettable)

While snorkeling with the majestic whale sharks in Cabo, I spotted one gliding just beneath me. Before I could move, its massive back brushed under mine and gently lifted me—carrying me a few feet like some kind of sacred taxi from the deep. I didn’t panic. I didn’t resist. I just let the moment happen. Floating on a living legend, I was overwhelmed by its size, its strength, and its subtle grace. It didn’t need to roar to be powerful. It just existed—and that was more than enough.

5. Snorkeling Between Continents in Iceland

Snorkeling the Silfra fissure in Iceland was like drifting through a crack in the Earth’s armor. The water, glacial and clear, allowed visibility for over 100 meters. But what truly humbled me was the location—floating between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.I was literally between worlds, suspended in the coldest, clearest water I’ve ever experienced. My body was in a dry suit, but my mind was somewhere else entirely. That thin blue space reminded me of the fragility and majesty of our planet.

Final Thoughts

The ocean will give you beauty, no doubt. But it’ll also check your ego at the door. That’s part of why I love it. It reminds me that I’m a guest in something much older, stronger, and wiser than me. And honestly? That’s the kind of humility I want to keep chasing.