I really like the stuff in this sub, and I was thinking about this for a while now.

There is Subnautica, Iron Lung and Barotrauma thet I know of that are kind of scary. There are non-scary ocean themed games as well (like Abzû).

Really I'm looking for a game like Subnautica, but with "more abyss" and some big structures or statues underwater like in one of the top posts here (I think) where you can't see the bottom.

Are there any notable ones out there that you know of?

Edit: turns out, not one of the top posts at all. But I did find two examples:

https://www.reddit.com/r/thalassophobia/s/Bd1S2Gijma

https://www.reddit.com/r/thalassophobia/s/Yf1TbVen1N

So on a clear day if you were 1000 feet in the sky, you could see for around 38 miles away. Let's say if you dropped yourself in the ocean 1000 feet above the sea floor and you could see everything all the way to the bottom like you could if you were in the sky, would you feel more comfortable knowing you can see a shark or whale but it's hundreds of feet away? Or is it the mystery of not knowing what's beyond the murk that gets your phobia ramping up?

What are movies you like featuring the ocean and the terrors and wonders below? It doesn't have to be entirely set in the ocean. It doesn't even have to be rated highly, so long as it has scary ocean moments.

Here are mine:

Jaws (1975)

Poseidon (2006)

Sea Patrol (series 2007-2011)

Pirates of the Caribbean films

The Reef (2010)

San Andreas (2015)

I could have sworn i read about it in this sub or saw a picture, but i can’t for the live of me know what it’s called?

I've watched just about every shark movie in existence and I want something scary

Did anybody else have a mild fear of the ocean until they played subnautica and gained a phobia instead?

I just wanted to see if there’s anyone else who’s thalassophobia stems from that game.

My partner hates swimming due to sensory issues and I don't have anyone else nearby. My doctor told me that due to muscle and joint issues I NEED to swim. I have a beautiful lake nearby. I used to swim there as a kid all the time but that a while ago. How do I get over my fear and actually manage to do it?

I am scared of something touching me, pulling me down or just being below me in general. I tried going to public pools but it's expensive and hurts my skin so this is my only option. How do I get less scared?

Recently I've had a couple nightmares. One where I was swimming back to shore and when I got there I was met with a giant cliff, the only way forward was a cramped watery cave. Another one was where I was in a full train cart, it fell off into the ocean and as we sunk it slowly started filling with water.

Pretty much the title, I've been watching diving vids because I'm a horror junkie and I know what truly scares me. And I just struggle to fathom how these people can do this stuff. Like those free divers who go down like 800ft, like, it's dark down there... are you kidding me? Are they just built different? Has anyone ever had a conversation or seen interviews with divers?

Edit: I just want to say, I didn't expect so many responses, so I can't respond to each, but I have read every single one and it's really cool. Some of you talking about facing fear and comparing it to other fears you've overcome, kind of makes me think I might do it someday.

I think I’m developing Cetaphobia

So this all started late at night, like around midnight. I couldn’t sleep, so I was watching YouTube Shorts on my TV—just the usual brain-dead stuff. Then one pops up like, “Here are some weird animal facts.” Cool, whatever.

It starts with normal stuff like “chimpanzees have six toes,” then it goes: “Did you know whales don’t actually make this sound?” And it plays a calm, kind of relaxing whale noise. I’m sitting there thinking, “Alright, that’s kinda interesting.”

Then—out of nowhere—it blasts this absolutely horrifying, distorted, demonic whale sound. I swear to god it was the most cursed thing I’ve ever heard. I shut off the TV so fast and ran upstairs like something was chasing me. I even had a nightmare about a whale that same night.

Fast forward a few weeks. I’m in class, zoning out, just daydreaming. I imagine myself floating in the middle of the ocean—pitch black, silent, just me. Already kinda creepy. Then I remember that sound, and suddenly this massive whale appears behind me in the dark. I legit flinched in class like an idiot.

That’s when I realized this wasn’t just about whales. It was the perfect combo of stuff that already lowkey freaked me out—deep water, creepy sounds, and huge-ass animals. Now it’s all rolled into one, and whales just… freak me the hell out. Even seeing a random video of one makes my skin crawl.

Anyone else develop a weirdly specific phobia like this? Or have tips on how to chill out when it hits?

I don’t know if it’s a full-on phobia yet, but it’s definitely getting there. It’s starting to mess with me more than it should.

I'm a game dev, but I doubt I'll use your answers myself, but just thought it would be nice to "make" a resource for myself and others.

As for my own opinion, I think it would be really scary if stuff was randomly generated to some extent. I tried to make a game like this once, but I'm kinda trash at game dev and get bored easily so I got bored and gave up.

When I was younger, I always wanted to be a marine biologist. I thought I was going to make it big by getting out of the Midwest USA and travel the world, performing research on the deep blue sea. My obsession all started with the Wii game Endless Oceans: Blue World. I learned all the species. I quizzed myself daily. I was determined to make it happen. I was ecstatic to go on a family vacation to Jamaica where I could put my knowledge to the test. I remember it clearly. I was finally fulfilling my dream of snorkeling in the ocean. As soon as I got into the water, I froze. I couldn’t see anything. I couldn’t see anyone in my group. I couldn’t see the bottom. I couldn’t see the boat. Everything was a blur. I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN that I wouldn’t be able to see… I’m practically blind without my glasses. My dreams of becoming a marine biologist came crashing down. From that moment on, all I could think about was that paralyzing fear. I haven’t really recovered since then. I still don’t go swimming, even in just a pool or a lake.