Must-Watch Documentaries for World Ocean Day

Jun 7

Blackfish, Seaspiracy, The Cove, and more - how many of these fascinating documentaries have you seen?

Ocean life is teeming with fascinating stories, and the following documentaries capture just some of the incredible, startling, and inspiring tales that have been told so far.

Whether it’s the story of how one man formed a long-lasting friendship with a wild octopus, to the shocking exposé of SeaWorld’s killer captive orcas, these films are a must-watch on World Ocean Day and beyond.

My Octopus Teacher

This award-winning documentary explores the extraordinary tale of the long-lasting friendship between free-diver and filmmaker, Craig Foster, and a wild octopus. During his daily dives in False Bay, near Cape Town, Foster repeatedly notices the same octopus. He quickly becomes fascinated by the intelligent creature, and begins to record their movements, habits, and lifestyle each day.

The documentary follows Foster’s daily dives to see the octopus, and the result is incredibly moving, and carries the sense of wonder and mystery that we associate with the ocean’s many inhabitants. It won many awards, including the Oscar for Best Documentary - discover it now on Netflix.

Blackfish

This emotional documentary continues to shock the world with its groundbreaking exposé of SeaWorld.

The story of captive killer whale Tilikum explores how these extraordinary mammals suffer cruel and inhumane treatment in order to ‘perform’ for audiences. By revealing what led Tilikum to kill several people, Blackfish shines a shocking spotlight on the multi-billion dollar sea-park industry.

You will never look at SeaWorld the same again - watch it online now at Amazon.

Seaspiracy

Within its first week, Netflix’s Seaspiracy climbed to the top of the streaming giant’s most-watched list in several countries around the world and thrust the workings of the global fishing industry into the spotlight.

Millions of viewers have discussed Seaspiracy online - and while reactions have been mixed, there is no doubt that it has sparked a huge conversation about what’s right - and wrong - about the current state of our oceans.

Huge issues are explored in the documentary, including the millions of ‘non-target’ marine animals caught as bycatch, the questionable credibility of sustainable fish certifications, and even the human slave labor used to catch shrimp and prawns.

Many viewers are understandably shocked at the film’s claims, and are denouncing the seafood industry’s role in the war it is raging with the oceans. Iconic lifestyle publication Vogue told its readers: “Seaspiracy Is Going To Change Your Thoughts On Seafood Forever”.

It’s an eye-opening watch that everyone has an opinion on - let us know what you think of it in the comments section. Watch it now on Netflix.

Secrets of the Whales

In this four-part docuseries from National Geographic, viewers are given an insight into the extraordinary and fascinating lives of whales.

From orcas, humpbacks, and narwhals, to belugas and sperm whales, this epic and gorgeously-shot series explores everything about ‘whale culture’, including their incredible communication skills and intricate social structures.

Watch it now on Disney+.

The Cove

The now-infamous Taiji hunts were propelled into the public sphere with the release of this Oscar-winning documentary back in 2009.

The film documents the annual Dolphin Hunt which occurs in the tiny Japanese fishing village of Taiji. The surrounding sea turns crimson for six months of the year as dolphins and whales are hunted to their deaths or captured for theme parks.

The Cove’s graphic footage of dolphins being stabbed to death horrified audiences across the world and continues to inspire campaigns against the killing of marine life.

A startling and important film - find out where you can watch it here.