Which ocean is the best? An official ranking

To compare such vast spans of water, I’ll be rating each ocean on size, curb appeal, wildlife and is it swimmable? Let’s get into it:

Arctic Ocean

A poor showing in the size category, the Arctic Ocean is a measly 15,558,000 square kilometers, and therefore the smallest of the oceans. Last place earns this ocean 1/5.

The Arctic Ocean knows how to put on a good show. With beautiful patches of floating ice and the iconic presence of the northern lights, the Arctic is a gorgeous ocean to look at, 4/5.

Walruses, reindeer and, the best of all, polar bears! With a lineup like that, it’s impossible to beat the wildlife in the Arctic Ocean: 5/5.

Is it swimmable, though? Well, in winter, the temperature averages from −30 to −35 °C. In summer, the melting of sea ice has a temperature of 0 °C. So I think I’ll have to go with no. +0

Antarctic (Southern) Ocean

The Antarctic Ocean pushes into the spot of fourth largest, all 21,960,000 square kilometers of it, 2/5.

The Antarctic Ocean is one of the most pristine places on earth, nearly untouched by human pollution. The downside, tourism throughout this ocean is dangerous and unregulated. Home to the strongest winds in the world, trips to this ocean can be disastrous. 1/5.

Penguins (!!!) and squids help to make up the Antarctic wildlife population, along with whales, seals, sponges and shrimp. The Antarctic has a significantly smaller marine population than the Pacific or Atlantic, but it does have penguins, 2/5.

Now of course, I must ask: is the Antarctic Ocean swimmable? While technically, yes, people have swam in this ocean; however, it takes skill and a lot of training. I would not recommend. +0

Indian Ocean

The Indian Ocean, in my opinion, is the most forgotten of the oceans, even so, it is the third largest. A respectable 70,560,000 square kilometers earns the Indian Ocean 3/5.

Trying to rate the Indian Ocean’s curb appeal is tricky. On one hand, some of the most beautiful islands in the world are found in the expanse of gorgeous blue. On the other hand, the Indian Ocean falls victim to both monsoons and, surprisingly, pirates. Walking the line, 3/5.

The Indian Ocean’s wildlife includes endangered marine species: the dugong, seals, turtles and whales. All wonderful animals, but the wildlife of the Indian Ocean lacks a sort of pizazz found in the other oceans, 1/5.

The all important question: is the Indian Ocean swimmable? I’d say yes. North of 20° south latitude the minimum surface temperature of this ocean is 22 °C (72 °F), exceeding 28 °C (82 °F) to the east. Perfect for a dip! +1

Atlantic Ocean

Almost there! The Atlantic is the second largest ocean, coming in at 85,133,000 square kilometers, only barely over half the size of the Pacific, 4/5.

The Atlantic has a whopping 111,866 km of coastline, very impressive. However, it loses points on curb appeal based on tropical cyclones the frequent the coast of Africa all the way into the Caribbean Sea. 2/5.

On the wildlife factor, the Atlantic shines. Home to hundreds and hundreds of species, including my personal favorites: the manatee and green sea turtle, this ocean earns 4/5.

Finally, is the Atlantic Ocean swimmable? Simply put, yes. It is a great vacation spot and definitely a nice place to swim. +1

Pacific Ocean

The largest of the oceans, the Pacific covers 168,723,000 square kilometers. 5/5, wins the size category; that’s just facts.

The Pacific Ocean houses the Great Barrier Reef, 75% of the world’s volcanoes and is the deepest ocean. I don’t know how you could beat the Great Barrier Reef on curb appeal so the Pacific earns another 5/5.

Home to somewhere between six and 15 endangered species, the Pacific Ocean has quite an interesting wildlife population. Famously, the blue whale inhabits this ocean. Not as incredible as the Atlantic or Artic, Pacific earns 3/5.

But, is it swimmable? Another yes! The Pacific Ocean is a popular holiday spot and a great location for water-sports of all types. +1

The facts are in, points are tallied, and now for the results.

With only 5 points, the Antarctic Ocean claims our last spot. The Antarctic Ocean is, officially, the worst of the oceans.

In fourth place, the Indian Ocean. Although the Indian is my personal favorite ocean, the stats don’t lie, and 8 points just isn’t enough.

In what comes as a surprise to all of us, the Arctic Ocean takes third place with 10 points. Despite its fantastic curb appeal, it just isn’t swimmable.

With eleven points, the Atlantic Ocean barely squeezes itself into second place. What with its sheer size, the other oceans didn’t stand much of a chance.

Finally, our champion with an impressive fourteen points, the Pacific Ocean rises above the rest. The largest ocean, home to the Great Barrier Reef, it would be impossible to come to any other conclusion.

Pacific 14

Atlantic 11

Arctic 10

Indian 8

Antarctic 5