Peeing in the Ocean Safely (For Men & Women)

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Smart tips for urinating in the ocean without being noticed

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Last Updated: October 3, 2025 Fact Checked

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Finding a Suitable Spot

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Peeing in the Ocean

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While at the beach soaking in the sun, you might find that the closest bathroom is too far away for you to reach in time. This leaves you little choice but to go right where you are. Luckily, there are ways to go about your business sensibly so that no one will suspect. Read on to know how to urinate in the ocean discreetly, including finding the best spot.

How to Pee at the Beach

Find a spot away from other swimmers, where you’re still within earshot.
Avoid areas with clumps of seaweed, marine plants, coral reefs, piers, and jetties.
Wade out until you’re waist-deep in calm waters or knee-deep in rough waters.
While facing the horizon, sit or squat in the water.
Relax your lower body and pee naturally—don’t force it!
Rinse your swimsuit off under water carefully before standing up.

Section 1 of 3:

Finding a Suitable Spot to Pee at the Beach

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Ensure that there are no people nearby. If you see any swimmers close by, move away from them. Even if they don't see you do your business, they may feel the sudden warmth and become suspicious. Move to the left or right, instead of deeper into the ocean. Whether you’re worried about peeing in the ocean or peeing outside discreetly, outdoor education expert Hannah Young believes that "if you pick a very private spot, that's not necessarily a worry.”^{[1]
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Hannah Young
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- Do not go so far away that you can no longer see or hear other people. You want to be within sight and hearing/shouting distance, in case of an emergency.^{[2]
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- Is it ok to pee in the ocean? Many cities and regions have local laws that prohibit peeing at public beaches, parks, and waterways. Check for any signs that mention urination in the ocean or at the beach.
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Steer clear of clumps of seaweed, marine plants, and coral reefs. Many types of fish and other marine life tend to live near seaweed—the further away you move from other people, the more likely you are to come across some sea critters. Peeing in the ocean can also be harmful to coral reefs. Urine can cause coral reef algae to grow uncontrollably, which leads to a lack of sunlight that kills the coral reef.^{[3]
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- Stay clear of any marine life, including other fish, sharks, and jellyfish, to avoid harming them in any way or getting hurt yourself.
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Stay away from piers and jetties. Try to keep a distance of at least 100 feet (30.48 meters) from these locations. Both piers and jetties tend to be surrounded by very dangerous rip currents.^{[4]
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- Rip currents are very strong ocean currents. They flow away from the shore. The last thing you'd want is to get caught in one.^{[5]
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Section 2 of 3:

How to Pee in the Ocean Discreetly

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Wade out until you are waist-deep in the ocean. This will keep your private parts hidden from view. Make sure you can still maintain your balance and feel both stable and comfortable. If the waters are rough or choppy, go out no further than knee-deep. You want to be able to sit in the ocean without the water coming past your chest.
- Never turn your back on the ocean—even if the water seems calm and the waves small, a large wave can always pop up. Sudden waves are known as rogue and sleeper waves and can be very dangerous if they surprise you.^{[6]
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- If you’re a woman who prefers to hold it, you can always pee in a bottle at another location or carefully pee standing up.
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Keep your swimsuit on at all times. This step helps you avoid accidentally exposing yourself. Plus, others at the beach will be less suspicious about what you’re doing. Don't worry—everything will rinse off in the water.
- Peeing outside as a woman in nature can be tricky, but luckily, there is very little difference for men and women when peeing underwater.
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Sit down in the water or try squatting. Make sure that your thighs are not touching. To sit, lean back slightly, and support your weight on your palms. If you don't like the feeling of sand against your skin, you can try squatting or crouching, but you may need to go a little bit deeper into the ocean; avoid going so deep that the water rises above your chest. Act like you are taking a rest so others don’t suspect anything. You should still be facing the horizon.
- To sit down in the water, make sure it’s shallow enough for your upper torso and head to be comfortably above the water line.
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Keep your feet shoulder-width apart and relax your body. This will help everything flow out more easily and prevent others from suspecting what you are doing. Pretend that you are enjoying the nice view while relaxing your abdominal muscles. Sometimes, the cold ocean water can cause your muscles to constrict, which makes it harder to pee. Once you’re relaxed, you’ll be ready to go!^{[7]
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- While peeing, let the flow happen naturally and don’t try to force it.
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Shift your body forward to rinse off when you are done. You will need to shift forward to a crouching, squatting, or kneeling position to keep from getting sand inside your swimsuit. Make sure that everything below your waist is still underwater. If you are wearing swim shorts, take hold of one of the legs and give it a shake. If you are wearing a bikini or a one-piece swimsuit, take hold of the bottom part, right between the leg holes. Pull down on it for a moment, then let go.
- Once you’re finished, wait a few moments before standing back up. You can even continue sitting or crouching in the water for a few additional moments. If you stand up too soon, people may catch on to what you just did.
- Be sure to wash your swimsuit using warm water and soap when you get home. This will prevent bad smells from forming.

Section 3 of 3:

How to Urinate in the Ocean Discreetly FAQs

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Is peeing in the ocean normal? Peeing in the ocean is generally considered a normal thing to do in an emergency. Be sure to stay clear of other swimmers if you do urinate in the ocean, while also avoiding coral reefs, jetties, or piers. Be aware of local regulations that may prohibit urinating at the beach, and avoid peeing in small, enclosed bodies of water.^{[8]
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Will peeing in the ocean cause a UTI or yeast infection? No, peeing in the ocean doesn’t directly cause urinary tract infections (UTIs) or yeast infections. However, there is always a slightly increased risk because of bacteria or microorganisms in the water. Certain infections are more likely to grow in moist environments, so avoid keeping your wet bathing suit on for extended periods of time.^{[9]
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Will urinating in the ocean harm the wildlife or the environment? No, because of the huge volume of water in the ocean, urine expelled from peeing in the ocean immediately begins to dilute. Also, some kinds of marine life use the urea found in urine as nutrients. It’s also important to remember that all marine creatures “pee” in the ocean. It is still a good idea to avoid coral reefs and large areas of seaweed, where urine can throw off the balance of their ecosystem.^{[10]
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Will peeing in the ocean attract sharks? Even though sharks have a strong sense of smell, they are not attracted to the smell of urine. Human urine is mostly made up of water. It also greatly differs from the blood and bodily fluids of various fish and seals that sharks traditionally hunt.^{[11]
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Can you poop in the ocean? Do not defecate in the ocean. This can spread different forms of bacteria and even E.coli. Pooping in the ocean can also pollute nutrients, which can harm marine life. Stick to doing your business in a toilet or portable container, and be sure to dispose of any waste material at designated disposal locations.^{[12]
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Is it okay to pee in the ocean all the time? While it’s ok to pee in the ocean if a restroom is too far away, or you just can’t make it, it’s best to avoid making a habit of peeing in the ocean. Unless it’s an emergency, it’s always considered more appropriate to use a restroom to relieve yourself. Think about using the restroom when you arrive at the beach, so you won’t have to use it too shortly afterwards.
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Should you pee in a swimming pool? Never pee in a swimming pool. The chlorine in pools does not remove urine. Instead, the uric acid found in urine mixes with chlorine to create cyanogen chloride (CNCI) and trichloramine (NCl3). CNCI is a toxic compound that can harm the lungs, heart, and central nervous system, while NCl3 is associated with acute lung injury.^{[13]
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Question

Is there a difference in the way men should do this versus women?

Community Answer

No. In the ocean, both men and women can urinate standing up or sitting down.

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Is it bad to pee in the ocean?

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No, peeing in the ocean is harmless. Human urine is 95% water. The urea in urine combines with ocean water to form ammonium, which acts as food for ocean plant life.

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What if I don't see the marine life near me, like if a crab was awakened by my golden liquids?

Tom De Backer

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All marine life is afraid of you, they will swim away. They also avoid pollutants in the water, and will not be attracted to it. It also dilutes very rapidly in the currents.

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