Looking for the best alt text for marine life images? Use our free tool below and browse examples written specifically for ocean and underwater photos—perfect for marine sites and conservation content.
Generate Alt Text for Marine ImagesUpload a sea animal image to generate alt text
Browse our curated collection of alt text examples organized by use case. Click any example to copy it.
Follow these guidelines to write perfect alt text for marine life images
Use correct marine animal names - distinguish between dolphins and porpoises, seals and sea lions, etc.
Good: "Bottlenose dolphin" vs Bad: "Large fish jumping"
Note water clarity, depth indicators, reef systems, or open ocean settings.
Good: "Shark in deep blue open water" vs Bad: "Shark swimming"
Describe what the animal is doing: hunting, feeding, breaching, schooling, or resting.
Good: "Whale breaching with water spray" vs Bad: "Whale out of water"
Include companion species, prey, or symbiotic relationships when visible.
Good: "Clownfish in host anemone" vs Bad: "Orange fish in plant"
Include relevant conservation status or research context when applicable.
Good: "Tagged green sea turtle in protected waters" vs Bad: "Turtle with tracker"
Learn what NOT to do when writing alt text for sea animal images
Learn basic differences: dolphins vs porpoises, seals vs sea lions, sharks vs rays.
❌ Bad
Big fish jumping
✅ Good
Bottlenose dolphin leaping above waves
Note lighting conditions - surface light, deep blue, bioluminescence, artificial.
❌ Bad
Fish in water
✅ Good
Tropical fish illuminated by dappled sunlight through shallow water
Marine animals vary enormously in size - provide context clues.
❌ Bad
Shark
✅ Good
Six-foot blacktip reef shark swimming over coral garden
Describe reef, kelp forest, open ocean, or coastal environments.
❌ Bad
Octopus on bottom
✅ Good
Giant Pacific octopus among rocky kelp forest floor
Common questions about writing alt text for sea animal images
Focus on distinctive features: body shape, fin placement, coloring patterns, and size. Dolphins have curved dorsal fins and longer snouts than porpoises. Sea lions have external ear flaps while seals don't. When unsure, use general terms like 'tropical reef fish' or 'large pelagic fish.'
Yes, context matters. 'Beluga whale in aquarium tank with blue lighting' is more accurate than implying wild settings. Aquarium settings often have controlled lighting and artificial backgrounds that affect the image context.
Note visibility (clear, murky), depth indicators (sunlight penetration, blue tint), and any artificial lighting. 'Diver-lit shipwreck scene' or 'Sun rays penetrating shallow coral reef' adds valuable context.
Include conservation messaging when relevant: 'Entangled seal being rescued by marine biologists' or 'Coral bleaching event showing stressed white coral on reef.' This context is important for the image's purpose.
Mention reef type (coral, rocky, kelp forest) and notable species when identifiable. 'Colorful soft corals' or 'brain coral formation' helps paint the picture. Include fish species if they're the focus: 'Moorish idol fish among staghorn coral.'
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