{"id":10693,"date":"2023-09-25T15:54:28","date_gmt":"2023-09-25T14:54:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/neuronicdev.es\/bpa\/education\/whats-the-difference-between-the-ocean-and-the-sea\/"},"modified":"2025-08-15T11:28:24","modified_gmt":"2025-08-15T10:28:24","slug":"whats-the-difference-between-the-ocean-and-the-sea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/neuronicdev.es\/bpa\/blog\/whats-the-difference-between-the-ocean-and-the-sea\/","title":{"rendered":"What\u2019s the Difference Between the Ocean and the Sea?"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s always tempting to use \u201csea\u201d and \u201cocean\u201d interchangeably \u2013 we may even be guilty of it ourselves! But there are plenty of ways that these two vast water bodies differ, from their size and scale to the geographical features that define them.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve never considered the difference between the sea and the ocean, it\u2019s actually a far more fascinating topic than you might think. With lots of neat facts and stats to explore. So, that\u2019s what we\u2019re going to focus on today, as we take you on a deep-dive look at what makes seas and oceans different.<\/p>\n

<\/a>What is an ocean?<\/h3>\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n

Defining what seas and oceans are seems like a good place to start. After all, these are unique water bodies, each with their own distinct features and characteristics.<\/p>\n

Oceans, then, are the largest water bodies on Earth. They cover roughly 70% of the planet and, impressively, have an average depth of approximately 3,800 metres. That\u2019s deep enough to fit the tallest building in the world (the Burj Khalifa, 828m) four and a half times over.<\/p>\n

Another defining feature of oceans is that, unlike seas, they\u2019re not contained by land. In fact, you could say that they <\/em>contain the land, such is their size, scale and power.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s more, ocean currents have a huge impact on climate, geography and environmental conditions all around the world. For example, the Atlantic Gulf Stream brings warm, tropical air from the Gulf of Mexico to the UK and beyond, all powered by the intensity of the North Atlantic Ocean current.<\/p>\n

While we tend to think of the ocean being divided into five distinct areas (including the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern, and Arctic). It\u2019s actually one giant water encircling the entire Earth. There is no point where the open ocean is split by land, unlike seas, which can be fully or partially enclosed.<\/p>\n

<\/a>What is a sea?<\/h3>\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n

A sea is a smaller part of the ocean that appears where the ocean meets land. For instance, the North Sea is part of the Atlantic and Arctic oceans, but since it\u2019s located between two land masses (the British Isles and the European continent) it\u2019s classed as a sea.<\/p>\n

Not only are most seas enclosed and contained by land (with the exception being the unique Sargasso Sea, which is bordered by the currents of the Atlantic), but they\u2019re also much shallower than oceans. The Mediterranean Sea is one of the largest seas in the world. It only has an average depth of 1,500 metres \u2013 over 50% less deep than the ocean.<\/p>\n

Ever heard the expression \u201cthe seven seas\u201d? Well, it\u2019s not exactly accurate. There are actually 50 seas around the globe, from the Baltic Sea in Northern Europe to the South China Sea in the Far East. So, where did the term \u201cseven seas\u201d come from?<\/p>\n

It\u2019s actually a historical term once used by sailors, merchants and pirates to describe all the seas of the \u201cknown world\u201d. Different cultures had their own meaning for the seven seas, depending on where they travelled and the waters they discovered.<\/p>\n

<\/a>What animals are found in the ocean vs. the sea?<\/h3>\n

So, we\u2019ve established that oceans are significantly larger and deeper than seas, with strong currents that influence climate, environment, and habitats all across the globe. But so far as the marine animals that live in them, how do seas and oceans compare?<\/p>\n

<\/a>Ocean animals<\/h4>\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n

Since oceans cover 70% of the world\u2019s surface, they naturally contain a significant amount more marine life than seas. Ocean habitats are hugely varied, from coral reef systems to open ocean, so they\u2019re home to an extraordinary diversity of life. This includes coral-dwelling clownfish<\/a>,\u00a0 colourful lionfish<\/a>, sharks, eels, whales, and the impressive giant Pacific octopus.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s important to remember, too, that many species found in open oceans are migratory. Indeed, some of the largest animals on Earth, including the mighty blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) <\/em>will travel thousands of miles each year between oceanic breeding and feeding grounds.<\/p>\n

The ocean also contains a wealth of deep sea-dwelling animals, which live at extraordinary depths in total darkness. From the Sloane\u2019s viperfish (Chauliodus sloani)<\/em> to the humpback anglerfish (Melanocetus johnsonii)<\/em>; hundreds of species have adapted to life in the seemingly inhospitable depths of the open ocean.<\/p>\n

<\/a>Sea animals<\/h4>\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n

With all that said \u2013 don\u2019t underestimate the diversity of life found in the world\u2019s great seas. Our seas provide a rich habitat for all kinds of animals and plant life. With many unique species found exclusively in different seas all around the globe.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s more, seas often provide safe breeding grounds for innumerable species, offering protection against the intense currents of the open ocean. The Mediterranean Sea, for example, is the only breeding ground of the Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus)<\/em>, which seeks refuge in the calmer waters that the Mediterranean provides.<\/p>\n

We hope you\u2019ve enjoyed this deep-dive look at how seas and oceans differ. If you\u2019d like to learn more about the animals that dwell in these unique water bodies, <\/strong>book your tickets to Blue Planet Aquarium<\/strong><\/a>. Here, you\u2019ll find exhibits dedicated to the animals of the <\/strong>Ocean<\/strong><\/a> along with ten other unique marine habitats.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s always tempting to use \u201csea\u201d and \u201cocean\u201d interchangeably \u2013 we may even be guilty of it ourselves! But there are plenty of ways that these two vast water bodies differ, from their size and scale to the geographical features that define them. If you\u2019ve never considered the difference between the sea and the ocean, … Continued<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":353,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,24],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10693","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-education","category-sea-life"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nDifference Between the Ocean and the Sea? 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