600+ Stunning Vintage Sea Life Illustrations

Is there anything more fascinating than the depths of ocean? We know so little about something that takes up so much space in our world and new discoveries are being made every day. I’m not the most science-minded person myself, but we live near the beach and I love exploring the rockpools on the shoreline and collecting shells and seaglass. I love vintage marine science illustrations because it’s like looking into the mind of a scientist, except it’s all laid out in a beautiful, visual way.


The vintage marine science illustration category might just be my most favourite. Big call, I know! But just look at them! They’re useful, detailed, beautiful and they spark something in my imagination. I love thinking about what it would have been like to find and record new marine plants and animals. I’m sure my romantic ideas of sketching quietly on a remote beach aren’t exactly spot on (scurvy, sunburn, saltwater showers) but thanks to early scientific illustrators like Ernst Haeckel and the power of the interwebs, we can view and download vintage marine biology illustrations from the comfort of our own homes. 9 months on a stinky sailing ship not required.

Go back to Vintage Animal Illustrations

Vintage Illustration Sub Categories:

Coral (128)

Crabs (10)

Fish (262)

Jellyfish (63)

Octopus / Squid (24)

Rays (17)

Sea anemones (22)

Seashells (78)

Seaweed (62)

Sharks (24)

Starfish (2)

Turtle (10)

Whales (21)

948 images found
Antique Animal Illustration of two turtles Stauritypus Tryporcalus And Cinosternon Pensyloanicum
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Antique Animal Illustration Of two brown turtles
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Antique Animal Illustration Of Leatherback Sea Turtle Dermatochelys Coriacea In The Public Domain
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Antique Animal Illustration Of Hyclraspis Longicollis Long Necked Turtle
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Antique Animal Illustration Of Hawksbill Sea Turtle Eretmochelys Imbricata In The Public Domain. From the book Bilder-Atlas zur wissenschaftlich-populären Naturgeschichte der Wirbelthiere by Fitzinger, Leopold Joseph.
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Antique Animal Illustration Of Emys Europeaea Clemmys Serrata Turtle In The Public Domain. From the vintage natural history book Bilder-Atlas zur wissenschaftlich-populären Naturgeschichte der Wirbelthiere by Fitzinger, Leopold Joseph.
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Antique Animal Illustration Of Chelonia Mydas Green Sea Turtle In The Public Domain. From the vintage natural history book Bilder-Atlas zur wissenschaftlich-populären Naturgeschichte der Wirbelthiere by Fitzinger, Leopold Joseph.
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Xenie Spongieuse Vintage Sea Anemone Illustrations In The Public Domain
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Syringopore Verticille Vintage Coral Illustrations In The Public Domain
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Sea Urchins Various Vintage Sea Life Illustrations In The Public Domain
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Sea Urchins Vintage Sea Life Illustrations In The Public Domain
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Sea Urchine Various 2 Vintage Sea Life Illustrations In The Public Domain
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Rhizostome De Curview Jellyfish Vintage Jellyfish Illustrations In The Public Domain
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Retepore Dentelle Vintage Coral Illustrations In The Public Domain
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Portuguese Man Of War Bluebottle Vintage Jellyfish Illustrations In The Public Domain
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Pocillopore Corne De Daim Vintage Coral Illustrations In The Public Domain
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Placentule Rondache Lagane Orbiculaire L.decagone Scutelle A Quatre Trous Sea Urchins Vintage Sea Urchin Illustrations In The Public Domain
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Montipore Verruqueux Vintage Coral Illustrations In The Public Domain
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Monticulaire Feuille Turbinolie Sillonnee Vintage Coral Illustrations In The Public Domain
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Lobulaire Palme Vintage Sea Anemone Illustrations In The Public Domain
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Isis Queue De Chaval Vintage Coral Illustrations In The Public Domain
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Etoile De Mer Starfish Vintage Starfish Illustrations In The Public Domain
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Eponge Bullee Vintage Sea Sponge Illustrations In The Public Domain
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Dentipore Vierge Vintage Coral Illustrations In The Public Domain
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Cycolite Numismale Vintage Coral Illustrations In The Public Domain
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Cricopre Elegant Vintage Coral Illustrations In The Public Domain
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Corticifere Glareole Vintage Coral Illustrations In The Public Domain
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Clypeastre Rosace Sea Urchin Vintage Sea Urchin Illustrations In The Public Domain
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Chrysaore Jaune Jellyfish Vintage Jellyfish Illustrations In The Public Domain
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Catenipore Escharoide Vintage Coral Illustrations In The Public Domain
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Asterie Discoide Patte Doie Gentille Parquetee Various Starfish Vintage Starfish Illustrations In The Public Domain
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Anachite Ovale Galerite Globuleuse Echinoclype Patelle Various Sea Urchin Vintage Sea Urchin Illustrations In The Public Domain
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Actinie Verte Snakelocks Anemone Vintage Sea Anemone Illustrations In The Public Domain
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Holothurie Tubuleuse Sea Cucumber
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Holothurie Phantope Papilleuse Various Sea Cucumbers
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Tuna Thonine A Pectorales Courtes Vintage Fish Illustrations In The Public Domain
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Tuna Thon A Ailes Courtes Vintage Fish Illustrations In The Public Domain
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Trichopode Trichoptere Vintage Fish Illustrations In The Public Domain
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Tranchoir Cornu Vintage Fish Illustrations In The Public Domain
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Trachinote Pampre Vintage Fish Illustrations In The Public Domain
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Thyrsite Lepidopoide Vintage Fish Illustrations In The Public Domain
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Thyrsite Atun Vintage Fish Illustrations In The Public Domain
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Tetrature Orphie Vintage Fish Illustrations In The Public Domain
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Taurichte Varie Vintage Fish Illustrations In The Public Domain
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Swordfish Espadon Epee Vintage Fish Illustrations In The Public Domain
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Spirobranche Du Cap Vintage Fish Illustrations In The Public Domain
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Scatophage Orne Vintage Fish Illustrations In The Public Domain
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Scathare Gree Vintage Fish Illustrations In The Public Domain
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Sargue Sparaillon Vintage Fish Illustrations In The Public Domain
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Puntazzo Commun Vintage Fish Illustrations In The Public Domain
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Just a few of the vintage marine science illustrations you’ll find below are:

Go wild! They’re all public domain marine science illustrations, which means that they’re copyright free so you can use them however you like! Wouldn’t they make the most amazing print on a tea towel or even as decals on ceramic plates and cups?