Ocean Ramsey
Ocean Ramsey, a passionate shark advocate and free diver, uses bold methods to promote marine conservation, inspiring both admiration and criticism.

Ocean Ramsey is a well-known figure in the world of marine conservation, but beneath her adventurous exterior lies a complex story. Her dedication to sharks and the ocean has made her both admired and criticised.

Here are some key facts about her life, work, and the skills that set her apart, as well as some quick notes about the controversial figure.

Who Is Ocean Ramsey?

Ocean Ramsey is a marine conservationist, free diver, and shark activist born in 1987 on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. She has spent more than a decade working to change how people see sharks, advocating for their protection and portraying them as misunderstood creatures rather than monsters.

With her social media following exceeding 2 million on Instagram, she uses her platform to highlight the importance of sharks in maintaining healthy oceans.

@ocean.ramsey

It’s almost here… 🦈 Shark Whisperer premieres TOMORROW on @netflix 🌊 This documentary has my heart. Thank you for supporting sharks and helping shift fear into understanding. 🎥: @juansharks SharkWhisperer NetflixDoc SharkLove OceanConservation OneOceanDiving OceanRamsey SharksAreMisunderstood ProtectPredators FearToRespect aby

♬ original sound - Ocean Ramsey Sharks - Ocean Ramsey Sharks

Age and Personal Life

Ocean Ramsey, 38, is married to Juan Oliphant, an underwater photographer and videographer who shares her passion for ocean conservation. The couple has co-founded organisations such as One Ocean Research and Diving, Water Inspired Conservation Group, and Save the Sea Turtles International, all aimed at protecting marine life.

How Long Can She Hold Her Breath, Some Training and Techniques

Ocean Ramsey can hold her breath for an impressive 6 minutes and 45 seconds. This remarkable ability is crucial for her work as a free diver and underwater activist, allowing her to spend extended periods observing and working closely with sharks and other marine species without the need for breathing apparatus.Interestingly, Ramsey credits horses as part of her training to handle sharks safely.

She explained that horses, like sharks, are sensitive to energy and body language. She learned to read their signals and respond calmly, learning that animals often pick up on tension and nervousness. In an Instagram reel, she shared how horses helped her develop the ability to 'redirect' sharks in emergency situations—a technique she emphasises should only be used in life-threatening encounters.

@ocean.ramsey

🚨1. Help stop the slaughter of sharks (links in my bio) 🚨2. Help stop the slaughter of wild horses go to: AmericanWildHorse.Org 🎥 Redirecting sharks is not for show, it’s for safety and is an essential skill for respectful coexistence. 🐎🦈🥞I credit horses and stingrays for also helping me to develop my technique as it is also safer for me to place a hand on my horse for leverage if needed to help us maintain space as we move together so my toes don’t get stepped on and I don’t get trampled. Placing my hand on my horse also allows him to sense me better, so he’s not spooked by my movement around him as I groom him or as he grazes. By maintaining contact and staying consciously calm I am less likely to be accidentally kick or step on if he is startled by something. If I am calm but fully aware most of the other species I interact with are calmer. I think many species pick up on nervousness, excitement, tension, and how much you’re paying attention, etc. Sharks have been evolving for 400+ million years, they are highly attuned to the low frequency vibrations, movement, and bio-electrical output of other living organisms. Stingrays are one of the few species that share the sharks special sensory system, the ampullae of Lorenzini. I love their tenacity and grace. So when I share redirection techniques I do so to show an emergency situation response technique because I would rather someone know what to do if a large assertive starving shark swam up to them so they have a higher chance of surviving the encounter (99% of the time the sharks turn away) because without this info they are likely to panic and swim away and as I’ve shown in previous vids that makes the shark more likely to become excited and chase. I am not trying to encourage people to jump in the water with sharks and try to replicate this but if you want to work in the ocean as a professional guide you are in the sharks home and wilderness and you should learn how to respond to the approach of an apex predator just as you would a bear, lion, chimp, human, etc in those ecosystems. 💻📖🎬My new “Shark Safety Course for Professional Guides” is now live (link in @juansharks bio) shark ocean

♬ original sound - Ocean Ramsey Sharks - Ocean Ramsey Sharks

Her Documentary and Public Profile

Her Netflix documentary, Shark Whisperer, premiered on 30 June 2025. Directed by J.P. Stiles, Harrison Macks, and James Reed, the film explores her rise to fame and the controversy surrounding her methods. It also examines her efforts to raise awareness about shark conservation amidst criticism from both the scientific community and parts of the public.

Why Her Story Matters

Ramsey's work is polarising; supporters praise her boldness and dedication, while critics argue her tactics could put her and others in danger. She remains committed, stating that her videos serve as educational tools for emergency situations. Her goal is to show people how to respond if they encounter a large, assertive shark, not to encourage risky behaviour voluntarily.

Ocean Ramsey is a figure who pushes boundaries and challenges perceptions of sharks. Her skills, dedication, and bold approach have made her a central figure in marine activism. Whether you agree with her methods or not, her story highlights the urgent need to protect sharks and the oceans they call home. As the Netflix documentary hits screens, her journey into the depths of conservation and controversy will surely deepen understanding, if not controversy, about our most misunderstood marine predators.

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