Ocean Ramsey, a freediver, conservationist, marine biologist, author, and model, is making global waves in 2025 with the Netflix documentary Shark Whisperer, premiering June 30. She's garnered attention for her daring cage‑free dives with great whites and tiger sharks, moments captured in viral footage and spotlighted during exclusive interviews with People, where she described "out‑of‑body" experiences touching a shark’s nose underwater.
Pacific conservation circles are abuzz, debating the ethics of her close-contact approach, but supporters applaud her mission to shift public fear toward fascination and ecological respect.
Where Was Ocean Ramsey Born? Early Life, Education & Family Background
Born in 1987 on the Island of Oahu, Hawaii, Ocean Ramsey is an American marine biologist of Caucasian ethnicity. She grew up immersed in surf culture, coral reefs, and the marine biodiversity of the Pacific.
Her passion for sharks began at the age of 14, and formative experiences rowing out on the North Shore led her toward marine science rather than traditional veterinary pursuits.
She earned an associate degree in behavioral sciences and psychology, studied marine biology at the University of Hawaii, and completed a master’s in ethology from San Diego State University.
Details about her parents or siblings, or her religious background, remain private, but she credits her upbringing in Hawaii with instilling a deep, lifelong bond with the ocean and its creatures.
Physically, she stands around 5'10" and weighs approximately 128 pounds according to feature coverage.
Is Ocean Ramsey Married? A Look Into Her Personal Life & Husband Juan Oliphant
Ocean Ramsey is married to Juan Oliphant, an acclaimed underwater photographer, cinematographer, and co-founder of One Ocean Diving. The couple has worked together for over a decade, documenting marine life and educating the public through vivid, up-close shark encounters.
While the exact date of their wedding remains private, their partnership is well known in ocean conservation circles. Juan is not only Ramsey’s husband but also her closest creative collaborator, filming viral shark footage, co-authoring educational content, and co-producing the 2019 Saving Jaws documentary.
Despite their public-facing work, Ocean and Juan consciously maintain boundaries around their personal life. They rarely discuss family matters on social media, opting instead to keep the spotlight on their conservation mission.
According to interviews, the ocean is not just their workplace; it’s where their bond was formed and continues to thrive.
How Ocean Ramsey Became the 'Shark Whisperer': Career, Activism & Viral Fame
Growing up exploring reefs, Ocean learned early that sharks were curious, not dangerous. Certified as a PADI dive instructor, freediver, CPR/Emergency Oxygen instructor, wilderness EMT, and USCG captain, she now leads One Ocean Diving in Hawaii with Juan Oliphant, offering immersive educational encounters and funding research and cleanup initiatives.
Her colorful career includes modeling, stunt work for TV like Hawaii Five‑0, and speaking engagements worldwide. She has written children’s books, including What You Should Know About Sharks, and co‑directed the Saving Jaws documentary. Her storytelling approach mirrors other rising conservation voices like Hariana Verás, who are blending education with entertainment.
By 2019, she had swum with 47 shark species, including a famed 20‑ft Great White believed to be "Deep Blue". This footage fueled global talk and landed her the Netflix project, currently sparking both admirers and critics.
Public Reception & Viral Media Impact
Ocean Ramsey’s underwater encounters have amassed millions of views across YouTube and Instagram, often sparking fierce discussions in marine science forums and conservation communities. In early 2025, her nose-to-nose moment with a tiger shark was shared by National Geographic and mentioned on The Joe Rogan Experience, bringing mainstream focus to shark-human interaction ethics.
While some marine scientists urge caution, many young conservationists see Ramsey as a modern-day Jacques Cousteau—blending media, science, and advocacy for impact.
Criticism & Conservation Ethics Debate
While Ocean Ramsey is praised for her advocacy, her close-proximity dives without cages have raised concerns among marine biologists. Critics argue that such contact could disrupt shark behavior or encourage unsafe mimicry by amateurs. Ramsey has responded by emphasizing her professional training, safety protocols, and the educational value of her work.
Achievements & Recognition
Ocean Ramsey was featured on the cover of Outside Magazine, named one of Forbes' Ocean Heroes, and has spoken at the UN Oceans Conference. Her footage has been studied in shark behavioral research at UC Santa Barbara.
Ocean Ramsey Net Worth 2025: Income Sources, Eco Lifestyle & Career Earnings
Ocean Ramsey’s income stems from her One Ocean Diving enterprise, speaking engagements, books, courses, and modeling work. While exact net worth figures are not public, her diversified revenue streams, including eco‑tourism, online shark‑safety courses, and brand partnerships, suggest moderate success as a full‑time environmental entrepreneur.
This mirrors the media–entrepreneur model seen in Daniel LaBelle, whose content also converts educational value into diverse income streams.
She emphasizes education and conservational impact over opulence, channeling proceeds into community clean‑ups, marine research, and legislative advocacy to protect sharks. Rather than showcasing luxury, her lifestyle reflects dedication, spending most days at sea studying sharks or leading tours.
Who Is Ocean Ramsey? Quick Facts About the Shark Conservationist & Netflix Star
Ocean Ramsey is a Hawaiian‑born marine biologist, conservationist, freediver, and model who has made it her life’s work to restore sharks’ reputations from “monsters” to apex predators vital to marine ecosystems. She holds a master’s in ethology, has facilitated cage-free encounters with some of the ocean’s most feared species, and co-founded One Ocean Diving and Water Inspired to protect marine life. With over 2 million Instagram followers and a Netflix documentary debuting in 2025, she stands at the forefront of a bold conservation movement focused on empathy, education, and action.
FAQs About Ocean Ramsey: Education, Height, Controversies & Shark Whisperer Doc
Does Ocean Ramsey have a Wikipedia page?
As of 2025, Ocean Ramsey does not have a dedicated Wikipedia page. However, she is frequently cited by major media outlets, scientific publications and is featured in Netflix’s Shark Whisperer documentary.
What is Ocean Ramsey’s educational background?
Ocean Ramsey holds an associate degree in behavioral sciences and psychology, studied marine biology at the University of Hawaii, and earned a master’s degree in ethology from San Diego State University.
How tall is Ocean Ramsey?
She is approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs around 128 pounds, according to public features and interviews.
What documentary features Ocean Ramsey in 2025?
Shark Whisperer, a Netflix original documentary released on June 30, 2025, follows Ocean Ramsey’s cage-free shark dives, conservation efforts, and advocacy for shark protection worldwide.
Does Ocean Ramsey face controversy for her shark diving methods?
Yes. Her cage-free, hands-on approach to swimming with sharks has sparked debate among marine biologists, with some raising ethical and safety concerns. Ramsey defends her work as science-driven and rooted in years of behavior-based training, aiming to shift fear into understanding.
What is One Ocean Diving, and what does it do?
Co-founded by Ocean Ramsey and Juan Oliphant, One Ocean Diving is a Hawaii-based organization focused on shark research, conservation, and public education. It offers cage-free shark dives, marine biology courses, and community cleanup programs.
Has Ocean Ramsey ever been attacked or injured by a shark?
No, Ocean Ramsey has never reported a shark-related injury. Her team follows strict protocols based on shark behavior research to ensure safe, respectful interactions.
Is Ocean Ramsey a scientist or a social media influencer?
She is first and foremost a marine biologist and ethologist. While she has a strong social media presence with over 2 million followers, she uses her platforms to educate the public on shark behavior and conservation, not personal branding.