Drain the Oceans (2018)
A National Geographic documentary series that virtually empties the world's oceans to expose the shipwrecks, lost cities, and hidden treasures lying beneath.
Drain the Oceans - Series Information
- Original Title: Drain the Oceans
- First Air Year: 2018
- Last Air Year: 2023
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Documentary
- Content Rating (US): TV-PG
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (47 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 6
- Number of Episodes: 55
- Status: Returning Series
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: May 28, 2018 (United States - TV-PG), May 28, 2018 (France - 12), May 28, 2018 (Brazil - 12), May 28, 2018 (Mexico - B), May 28, 2018 (Spain - 7), May 28, 2018 (South Korea - 12)
- Networks: National Geographic
- Alternative Titles: Izsušitev morja (SI), Drain the Ocean: See What Lies Beneath Our Seas (AU), Enthüllt: Geheimnisse der Meere (DE), Drenar los océanos (ES), Les secrets engloutis (FR), Lecsapolt óceán (HU), 海底大探索 (SG)
- Production Companies: Mallinson Sadler Productions, Electric Pictures
- Production Countries: Australia, United Kingdom, United States of America
Drain the Oceans - Plot
Maritime mysteries—old and new—come to life in this series, combining scientific data and digital re-creations to reveal shipwrecks, treasures, and sunken cities on the bottom of lakes, seas and oceans around the world.
Drain the Oceans - Trailer
See the technology that strips away the ocean to reveal the secrets hidden beneath:
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Drain the Oceans - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Craig Sechler
- James P. Delgado
- Eric Grove
- Runar Lia
- Fredrik Soreide
- Jann Witt
- David Mearns
- Andrzej Slaby
- Stephen Burke
- Adam Olejnik
Drain the Oceans - FAQs
What hidden secrets does Drain the Oceans reveal?
The series uncovers some of history's most astonishing submerged secrets — from legendary shipwrecks and lost warships to entire sunken cities and buried treasure. Using real sonar data and photorealistic digital reconstructions, it essentially strips away the water to let viewers walk through history's most dramatic underwater crime scenes.
Is Drain the Oceans worth watching for history fans?
Absolutely. The series blends rigorous scientific methodology with genuinely cinematic storytelling, making it compelling for both history enthusiasts and casual viewers. The digital reconstruction technology transforms raw sonar data into vivid, immersive visuals, turning each episode into a gripping deep-dive that feels more like an adventure film than a traditional documentary.
Where can you stream Drain the Oceans?
You can stream Drain the Oceans on Disney Plus and Hulu. If you prefer to own episodes, they are available to buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home.
How does the show visualize the ocean floor?
Drain the Oceans uses actual sonar and bathymetric survey data collected by scientists and hydrographers, then transforms that raw information into detailed digital reconstructions. The result is a virtual draining of the ocean, revealing the seabed in stunning three-dimensional detail — a technique that sets the series apart from conventional underwater documentaries.
How many seasons does Drain the Oceans have?
The series spans six main seasons plus a collection of specials, totalling 55 episodes. It premiered on National Geographic in May 2018 and has continued expanding its scope, exploring new underwater sites across the globe with each successive season.
Who are the experts featured in Drain the Oceans?
The series features a rotating roster of leading specialists, including maritime archaeologist James P. Delgado, naval historian Eric Grove, shipwreck hunter David Mearns, and hydrographer Andrzej Slaby. Their combined expertise lends the show genuine scientific credibility while keeping the storytelling accessible and engaging for general audiences.
What types of sites does Drain the Oceans explore?
Episodes range widely across site types — from World War II naval wrecks and ancient Roman trading vessels to submerged prehistoric landscapes and lost harbour cities. Lakes, inland seas, and open oceans all feature, giving the series remarkable geographic and historical variety across its six seasons.
What shows are similar to Drain the Oceans?
Fans of the series tend to enjoy Lost Treasures of the Maya, Titanic: Secrets of the Shipwreck, and The Curse of Oak Island for their shared focus on archaeological discovery. Blue Planet II and Our Oceans offer a more natural-history angle, while History's Greatest Mysteries provides a similarly investigative, evidence-driven approach.
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