The ocean is a constant source of inspiration for artists, musicians, and fashionistas alike.
There’s something magical about the deep blue sea and the creatures that live within it that sparks creativity.
Recently, nail art has taken ocean themes to the next level with unique designs that are sure to make a splash!
Let’s explore stunning ocean-inspired nail designs perfect for your next beach vacation or just to add a pop of ocean flair to your look.
The best part is many of these designs are easy enough to do at home with a few simple tools. The hardest part will be choosing just one to try first!
Under the Sea Nail Art
First up is this under the sea nail art that incorporates realistic textures and shapes to bring popular sea creatures to life on your nails.
On a base of sky blue gel or regular polish, painters have added 3D textures like raised white bubbles for a foamy ocean effect.
Accent nails feature some of our favorite sea creatures like sea turtles, tropical fish, octopuses, and even a little mermaid! Using nail stickers, freehand painting, and 3D embellishments, this design creates a whole underwater scene on each hand.
It has a playful, comic book vibe with its cartoon sea creatures that is fun and artistic. This nail art would be perfect for a beach vacation or summer music festival.
The bright colors and whimsical themes are sure to add an energetic pop to any look.
If recreating it at home, use a variety of nail art brushes for the textures and embellishments like shells and pearls for a life-like ocean scene.
Sea Glass Nails
Taking inspiration from polished pieces of discarded glass found along the seashore, this sea glass nail design incorporates shapes and colors found in real sea glass.
To recreate the look, paint your nails in pale, whitish sheer shades like mint, robin’s egg blue, and lavender. Next, use a detail brush to add irregular reflective shapes along the nails to mimic shining sea glass.
Add a coat of shiny top coat or glossy topper like OPI Chrome Effects to give the reflective shapes a true sea glass appearance. For added depth, paint irregular stripes in contrasting colors over the base sheer color.
The layered effect looks just like light filtering through translucent sea glass.
Sea glass is thought to represent optimism and nostalgia, bringing the allure of the ocean wherever it travels to.
This dreamy sea glass nail design evokes the same wistful feeling and is ideal for beach brides or just relaxed weekend wear. The muted tones and irregular shapes have an organic feel that compliments natural beauty and is easy to wear.
Underwater Nail Art
This underwater nail art uses shades of blue along with feature nails to depict an underwater seascape complete with fish, mermaids, and sunken treasure!
Begin by painting nails in alternating light and dark blue shades starting with a deep navy on the ring finger and thumb. Accent with metallic brush strokes and white foam textures.
To create a sunken treasure effect, paint the accent nail in shimmery gold and “bury” other embellishments like faux pearls, beads, and sequins using a layer of top coat, so they appear beneath the surface.
Next, paint whimsical sea creatures on 2-3 accent nails, like the cute mermaid design shown. Use a small detail brush for the tail and hair and add sequins or beads for texture. For fish, paint simple curved shapes and embellish with sequin scales or small rhinestone details.
The fun sea creatures combined with the underwater blue tones and hidden treasures create a whimsical submarine world right on your nails! This design is a great option for summer or for the young at heart.
Abstract Ocean Nails
For nail art that’s more abstract, try recreating the look and feel of the ocean through colors and textures alone. Start by painting 4-5 nails in graduated shades of blue, from light baby blue to navy. Use a detail brush to paint wavy lines across the ombre to depict waves.
Next, for white foam and spray effects, flick white polish across the design using the bristle end of a brush. To finish, paint 1-2 accent nails in contrasting ocean colors like seafoam green or coral and add high shine topcoat.
The ombre effect helps capture the colors seen right where the waves meet the shoreline and the simple white textures mimic the ocean spray.
Abstract ocean nails are perfect for the minimalist who still wants to nod to marine themes. And the layered ombre and high shine finish mean this design moves seamlessly from beach to boardroom.
For even more interest, paint pops of iridescent color like UNT’s Mermaid Tears onto the accent nails before topping with glossy top coat to portray exotic ocean treasures.
Beachy Gradient Nails
Speaking of beach, these beachy gradient nails use soft sandy tones that will have you dreaming of tropical getaways. Paint nails in alternating neutral shades starting with a rich tan or latte color on the ring fingers.
Transition to lighter beiges and creams on the middle and pointer fingers, ending with a white french tip on the pinky nails. Use a makeup sponge to blend the colors from nail to nail for a seamless gradient effect. Next, paint delicate abstract shapes along some nails in metallic rose gold for a pretty pop of shine.
The metallic hints at sun sparkling on waves without being over the top.
Finish with a layer of top coat for shine. The soft neutral gradient reminds us of drifting white beach sands while the metallic details add a glint of ocean waves and sun.
Gradient nails are a breeze to achieve at home and the neutral tones compliment any skin tone. For toes, use brighter pops of metallic like copper or soft mint green. This is a versatile nail design that can take you from beach to bridal shower to brunch effortlessly.
Sand & Sea Nails
Similar to the beachy gradient, these sand and sea nails depict a coastal scene with different textures and embellishments. Start by painting nails in sandy beige and tan shades.
Next, use a small brush dipped in brown polish to draw wavy lines across the nails, keeping them tighter on some nails to portray sand ripples and deeper waves. On the ring fingers, paint seafoam green at the base transitioning to deep blue to mimic ocean waves.
While still wet, dip the nail in fine iridescent glitter or sand-colored sugar crystals to recreate sea foam texture. Once dry, use a detail brush to add sea shells and starfish embellishments for a beachy vibe. Finish with topcoat for a glossy polished look.
This design brings together textures and shapes seen along the coastline in a stylized yet organic beach scene. The glitter wave nails are sure to mesmerize and reflect light.
While recreating tiny sea shell designs takes some finesse, you can simplify by using nail stickers instead. This mani pairs nicely with beach waves, sundresses, and sea glass jewelry.
Watercolor Ocean Nails
Next up is a colorful watercolor abstract ocean theme achieved with the ombre gradient and blurring techniques of water marbling.
Start by painting base colors on each nail that match the ocean like light blue, seafoam green, navy, and pale aqua. While the polish is still wet, drop dots of contrasting shades like bright turquoise, purple, and yellow across the nails.
Then use a toothpick to gently swirl and blur the drops, blending the colors together. Alternatively, you can swipe darker polish shades across the base colors before blurring. Finish with a glossy top coat which helps further blend and mute the colors.
The resulting marbled look resembles blurry ocean reefs viewed from beneath the water. These mesmerizing nails emulate the movement and colors of ocean waves.
The watercolor appearance is artistic and abstract while still conjuring beautiful marine landscapes. For even more interest, accent with shiny nail decals like fish, bubbles, or seashells.
The ombre marbling technique uses blending and imagination to capture the essence of ocean scenes in a stylish, avant garde nail design.
Textured Ocean Nails
For ocean-inspired nails with unique textures, try this textured wavy nail art. Begin by painting nails in shimmering sea green, sky blue, and titanium white polishes.
While the polish is still wet, use a toothpick to draw ‘U’ shaped waves across the nails.
Then sprinkle various grades of fine blue glitter lightly across the design to fill in the waves and add sparkle. Choose chunkier glitter pieces in aqua or iridescent shades on accent nails for extra depth and contrast.
Once dry, use a dotting tool dipped in white polish to add foamy wave caps along the glitter waves. Finish with a thick layer of glossy top coat to smooth any texture and help adhere the glitter.
This design mimics the layered colors and textures visible on ocean waves with the glitter and raised foam effects. The hint of ocean spray makes the abstract waves more realistic.
The glitter ombre waves are sure to mesmerize and reflect light for a dazzling effect. For wearable daily or work looks, keep the glitter minimal.
Then amp it up with larger pieces for a show stopping ocean mani for your next evening out.
Jellyfish Nail Art
These playful jellyfish nails transform your fingertips into a family of drifting jellyfish complete with colorful domes and flowy tentacles.
Start by painting nails in translucent jelly-like shades of pink, blue, and purple.
While the polish is still wet, use a toothpick to pull downward drips that will dry to look like dangling jellyfish tentacles.
Next, paint or glue on circular plastic embellishments near the base of the nails to create jellyfish domes. Accent with smaller beads, rhinestones, or glitter inside the domes for texture.
Using white and black polish, paint simple oval eyes just below the domes to finish each whimsical jellyfish. Top with a shiny topcoat to give the jellyfish bodies a wet, lifelike appearance.
For even more dramatic jellyfish, embellish with colorful nail foils underneath the domes or use glitter polish for metallic tentacles.
Keeping the shapes minimalistic keeps the design playful and cute. The translucent jellyfish are sure to inspire smiles and compliments.
Pair them with bright summer colors skirts or dresses for a Kawaii-inspired style.
Sand Dollar Nails
For simpler nail art, these sweet sand dollar nails are easy to recreate at home.
Start by painting nails a very pale off-white or beige color like Essie’s Sand Tropez to mimic sand dollar shells. Once dry, use a small brush dipped in brown polish to outline organic oval and U shapes along each nail to depict the ridged sand dollar shell. Make the shapes and lines slightly imperfect for extra realism.
Leave the centers of the nails bare for contrast. On the ring fingers, paint an abstract five-point star shape to represent the star-shaped patterns found on live sand dollars.
Finish with a layer of shiny topcoat to further accentuate the recessed shell ridges. These minimalist nails are a cute and clever way to wear an ocean theme year-round.
The muted color palette gives off relaxed, coastal vibes while the tiny ridges add just a hint of texture.
Sand dollar shells are thought to symbolize beauty, fertility, and femininity, so this manicure would be lovely for beach brides as well. For added sparkle, brush glitter polish lightly across the ridges.
Ocean Ombre Nails
Ombre nails are a popular nail art technique that fades colors from light to dark for a seamless gradient effect.
This ocean ombre manicure uses shades of blue along with fun embellishments for an eye-catching underwater look. Start by painting pinky to pointer nails gradually in light sky blue, medium periwinkle, and finally deep navy on the ring fingers.
While the polish is still wet, attach assorted sequins, confetti shapes, beads, or caviar beads to the ring fingers to recreate bubbles rising through water.
Next, paint 1-2 accent nails in contrasting ocean shades like shimmery seafoam or holographic mermaid blue. Using a dotting tool, add different sized white dots and bubbles, making them larger towards the cuticle to appear farther away.
Finish with glossy topcoat to smooth any textures and bring out the iridescent shine.
This manicure captures the translucent effect of sunbeams filtering through ocean waters with its gradient shading.
The ombre look is on trend while the whimsical bubble and dot details keep the vibe fun and beachy.
Scatter loose transparent beads between layers of topcoat on the sequin nails before drying for a floating bubble effect.
Seashell Nail Art
No ocean-inspired manicure would be complete without some seashell nail art. While seashell designs can get complex, you can easily paint simple stylized seashells at home with just a few nail art tools.
Start by painting nails in warm sand or seashell-inspired tones like pale peach, seashell pink, or creamy ivory.
Once dry, use a small brush dipped in white polish to outline abstract seashell shapes on each nail, keeping the tops rounded and the bottoms points angled outward. Make the shells different widths and angles for variety.
Fill in the white outlines with a metallic rose gold or copper polish for a glossy, shell-like effect.
If desired, add crease lines down the center of each shell using a striper brush.
The metallic sheen gives the appearance of real shells on the nails. For extra embellishment, glue tiny rhinestones, pearls, or beads along the shell swirls. Keep them tiny for a refined beach look.
Seashell nails are classic, beachy, and beautiful on both fingers and toes. They’re ideal for pedicures to complement summery sandals and flip flops.
Ocean Waves Nail Art
For nail art that’s graphic yet organic, try painting these ocean wave nails. Start by painting nails in alternating colors: deep sea blue, white, and light blue gray.
On the accent nails, paint thick abstract ‘V’ shapes to depict crashing ocean waves. While the polish is still wet, run a toothpick through the waves from side to side to create a blurred water effect.
Next, paint smaller crested wave shapes across the alternating blue nails, making each one unique.
Dip the nail in iridescent glitter while wet for added texture and sparkle. Once dry, use a small brush dipped in white polish to add sea foam along the tops of the larger waves for a crashing wave effect. Dot mini pearls along the foam for ocean spray.
The mix of large blurred wave nails and detailed cresting waves captures the movement and patterns of the sea in a vivid manicure.
The glitter waves are sure to mesmerize while the white foam adds life-like detail. This design pairs perfectly with ocean-inspired outfits for a beach event or vacation.
Ocean Animal Nail Art
For the aspiring nail artist, try your hand at painting your favorite ocean creatures in bright vibrant colors with this ocean animal nail art! Start by painting each nail a different bright shade like turquoise, violet, lime, or orange to make your animals really pop.
On the accent nails, use small brushes and pointed tools to paint miniature sea turtles, tropical fish, whales, sharks, seahorses, octopuses or any ocean creatures you desire. Keep the designs graphic with bold outlines and minimal details–less is more with nail art!
Add touches of glitter, beads, or sequins for extra pizzazz. Accent animals with white sea foam textures for added dimension.
Animal nail art allows you to tell a fun story on your nails and show off your painting skills. The bright colors and cute ocean creatures are playful and imaginative. This manicure would be perfect for kids or the young at heart. Let your creativity run wild!
Recreate the beauty of the deep blue sea through the endless possibilities of ocean nail art.
Next time you want to add a little ocean flair to your look, try out one of these 13 stunning ocean nail designs.
With some simple polish colors and a few basic techniques, you can bring gorgeous ocean vibes to your nail art. Just don’t be surprised if your new aquatic nails make a splash!
