Water is all around us: in our sink faucets, in the ground we walk upon, and in the air we breathe. It’s even in our bodies, of course; perhaps you already know that the human body contains approximately 60% water. In this respect, our bodies are similar to planet Earth, which also consists mostly of water. Astonishingly, oceans in the world hold around 97% percent of all Earth’s water!
At Harbor Breeze Cruises, we navigate the Pacific’s breathtaking expanse on our eco-friendly catamarans so we can give people like you an opportunity to try to spot majestic marine mammals such as whales and dolphins. In addition to our beloved Pacific Ocean, there are four other oceans in the world: Atlantic, Indian, Arctic, and Southern.
Of these five, which is the largest ocean? Which is the smallest? Let’s dive in (pun intended!) so you can learn more about these important oceans in the world.
Arctic
When it comes to the oceans in the world, the Arctic Ocean is by far the smallest. While snow and ice may come to mind when you think of the Arctic, don’t forget that there’s a sizable ocean centered right near the North Pole. World Wildlife Fund writes that the Arctic Ocean “is about 5.4 million square miles—about 1.5 times as big as the US.” Of all the oceans in the world, the Arctic Ocean is not only the smallest but also the shallowest!
Southern
While the Southern Ocean isn’t the largest ocean in the world (it covers about 8,479,000 square miles), it is the youngest ocean. Marine Insight notes that “the Southern or Antarctic Ocean formed about 30 million years ago. While this may seem a long time period, comparing it with the age of the Atlantic Ocean, which is 180 million years ago, may put this fact in perspective.”
Indian
The Indian Ocean is one of the warmest oceans in the world. National Geographic shares: “The warmth of the water inhibits the growth of phytoplankton and severely limits the amount of marine animals this area of the ocean can support.” As the third largest ocean, the Indian Ocean covers around 28.3 million square miles.
Atlantic
The Atlantic Ocean is one of the largest oceans in the world—in fact, it’s the second largest! This ocean encompasses around 41 million square miles, or about 20% of the Earth’s surface. Even though this ocean does not take the title of largest ocean in the world, it is the saltiest of the five oceans in the world.
Pacific
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Pacific Ocean contains “more than half of the free water on Earth.” In addition to being the largest ocean, it’s also the deepest!
Impressively, the Pacific Ocean covers approximately 63 million square miles! To put that figure into perspective, think of it this way: this ocean could comfortably hold all the world’s continents within its boundaries. Pretty astounding, right?
Take a Trip on the World’s Largest Ocean With Harbor Breeze!
Now that you know that the Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean in the world, are you compelled to spend some time in or near Southern California? If so, we hope you’ll consider booking a whale watching tour. Our fun, safe, and affordable tours afford you plenty of opportunities to bond with your family and friends while trying to spot magnificent marine animals.
You can purchase tickets online at any time or give us a call at 562-983-6880 to make your reservation—it’s quick, easy, and there are no hidden fees or surprising surcharges. The Pacific Ocean is beautiful and breathtaking, and we think you’ll be delighted to be on the world’s largest ocean with our crew and Aquarium of the Pacific educators who will be happy to answer any questions you may have about oceans and the dynamic ecosystems that exist within them.
