These documentaries and series bring you closer to marine life, coastal ecosystems and the challenges they face today. They help connect the dots between climate, water quality and biodiversity, and show why protecting places like the Great Barrier Reef starts on land.

Watch them to better understand the ocean, and why it is worth protecting.

Chasing Coral

Type: Documentary

Duration: 1h 29m

A team of divers, scientists and photographers set out to document what is happening to coral reefs as ocean temperatures rise. Using underwater cameras and long-term monitoring, they capture coral bleaching events in real time across different parts of the world. The film explains how even small increases in temperature can disrupt coral systems, leading to mass mortality. It connects these changes to climate change and shows the broader consequences for marine ecosystems, coastal protection and the communities that depend on reefs.

Where to watch:
Available on Netflix (Australia)

Ocean with David Attenborough

Type: Documentary

Duration: 1h 35m

David Attenborough explores the state of the world’s oceans, combining powerful imagery with scientific insights into how marine ecosystems function. The film highlights key pressures such as industrial fishing, habitat destruction and climate change, while also showing the ocean’s capacity to recover if properly protected. It presents both the scale of the problem and realistic pathways for restoration, including marine protection and changes in how ocean resources are managed.

Where to watch:
Disney+ (Australia)

Blue Planet II

Type: Series

Duration: 7 episodes

This series explores marine life across a wide range of ocean environments, from shallow coastal waters to the deep sea. It reveals complex behaviours, ecological relationships and the diversity of species that depend on healthy oceans. Alongside these stories, the series also shows how human activities such as plastic pollution, overfishing and noise are affecting marine ecosystems. It helps build a clear understanding of how ocean systems work and why they are vulnerable.

Where to watch:
Stan (Australia), Apple TV (rent/buy)

Our Planet

Type: Series

Duration: 8 episodes

A global series that examines how ecosystems are being transformed by climate change and human pressure. It includes strong coverage of coastal and marine environments, showing how warming temperatures, habitat loss and resource use are affecting biodiversity. The series combines large-scale environmental trends with specific examples, helping to connect global processes with real impacts on ecosystems and people.

Where to watch:
Netflix (Australia)

My Octopus Teacher 

Type: Documentary

Duration: 1h 25m

The film follows a filmmaker who returns daily to a kelp forest and builds a close observational relationship with a wild octopus. Through this experience, the documentary offers insight into the behaviour, intelligence and vulnerability of marine life. While personal in tone, it also highlights the importance of healthy coastal ecosystems and the role they play in supporting biodiversity.

Where to watch:
Netflix (Australia)

Seaspiracy

Type: Documentary

Duration: 1h 29m

An investigative documentary that examines the environmental impact of industrial fishing. It looks at issues such as overfishing, bycatch, habitat destruction and the role of global supply chains in driving pressure on marine ecosystems. The film also questions existing sustainability narratives and highlights gaps in ocean protection, aiming to expose the scale and complexity of human impact on the ocean.

Where to watch:
Netflix (Australia)