Ocean animals word search printable

Sixteen sea creatures hidden in a 14 × 14 grid, with an answer page, for a science lesson, a summer day or a trip to the aquarium.

You're making 14 × 14 word search – US Letter
Orientation
No. 1 — the same number always gives the same word search.
Advanced options
Change it to shuffle the grid
Line colour
mm
Line style
Paper colour
in
Header fields
2 pages
Puzzle · 1 of 2

Quick PDF:

Print at 100% · calibrate your printer
Presets on this device
More paper types in the full generator →

Direct download (no JavaScript needed): US Letter PDF · A4 PDF

Variations

What prints with the starting settings

Specifications of 14 × 14 word search – US Letter, as set when the page opens; the notes under the preview follow your changes
PaperUS Letter — 215.9 × 279.4 mm (8.5 × 11 in)
Grid14 × 14 letters
Words hidden16 of 16
Margins1/2″
Line weight0.18 mm (bold 0.35 mm)
Print settingScale 100% / Actual size
Print at 100%. In the print dialog choose Scale 100% or Actual size (not “Fit to page”) and margins None. Grids measuring a few percent small? Calibrate your printer once and every download is corrected.
Printable 14 × 14 word search – US Letter — preview of the PDF
14 × 14 word search – US Letter, rendered by the same engine that makes the PDF.

A ready-made ocean animals puzzle

This printable has 16 words hidden across, down and diagonally in a 14 × 14 grid, with the word list underneath and an answer page at the back of the PDF. It suits any time of year. A few of these are not true fish: whales and dolphins are mammals, starfish are echinoderms and octopuses are molluscs, which makes a good question after the puzzle.

Shallow water or deep sea

Easy, for kids keeps the sea creatures across and down. The default sends some diagonally, and Hard turns words such as JELLYFISH and SEAHORSE backwards. It is a good partner to an ocean topic at school or a trip to an aquarium, where children can tick off the animals they saw.

Ideas for using it

  • After solving, sort the animals into fish, mammals, birds and others.
  • Pair it with an aquarium visit or a nature documentary.
  • Use the easy version with younger children learning animal names.

Printing tips

Print at 100% on Letter or A4. Take a copy to the aquarium or the beach and circle each animal when you spot it. For a classroom sea topic, add the crossword maker with your own definitions, such as “Animal with eight arms”.

More word search maker sheets

Frequently asked questions

Which words are in this puzzle?

Coral, Crab, Dolphin, Jellyfish, Lobster, Octopus, Oyster, Pelican, Seahorse, Seal, Shark, Shrimp, Squid, Starfish, Turtle, Whale.

Are all the words ocean animals?

Almost all. Coral is an animal colony, the pelican is a sea bird that feeds in coastal water, and the rest live in the sea.

Is it suitable for a school ocean topic?

Yes. Use Easy for younger classes, and swap in vocabulary from your lesson, such as habitats or food chain words.

Can I print copies with different grids?

Yes. New puzzle hides the same 16 animals in a new arrangement each time.

Last updated · About us