8 Ocean-Themed Video Games to Play While You Countdown to the Outer Banks

There's a very specific kind of restlessness that sets in once you've booked your Outer Banks vacation. The house is picked, the dates are circled on the calendar, and now you just have to... wait. If you're staring down weeks (or months) until you can feel sand between your toes, here's a fix: dive into these ocean-themed video games and let the anticipation build in the best way possible.

1. Subnautica

If you want to feel the vastness of the ocean before you're actually floating in it, Subnautica is unmatched. You crash-land on an alien ocean planet and have to build, explore, and survive across biomes ranging from sunlit shallows to bioluminescent deep-sea trenches. It's equal parts beautiful and terrifying — a little like night swimming, if night swimming had leviathan-sized creatures lurking below.

2. Abzû

For a calmer preview of what's waiting for you at the coast, Abzû is basically a meditation session disguised as a game. You play as a diver gliding through gorgeous, current-swept reefs alongside schools of fish that move with real, flocking realism. No combat, no stress — just pure underwater wonder. Perfect for the person counting down days with a cup of coffee in hand.

3. Endless Ocean (Luminous)

Nintendo's Endless Ocean series lets you explore coral reefs, sunken ships, and open water as a marine researcher, cataloging real sea life along the way. It's the closest thing to a snorkeling trip you can do from your couch, and it might just have you adding "spot a sea turtle" to your OBX vacation bucket list.

4. Sea of Thieves

Craving something more social? Grab a crew and set sail in Sea of Thieves, a pirate adventure built around actual sailing mechanics — reading wind, plotting courses, riding out storms. It's chaotic, funny, and a great way to get your whole travel group hyped for the real boat trips, fishing charters, or sunset cruises on your OBX itinerary.

5. Dave the Diver

This surprise hit mixes deep-sea diving with running a sushi restaurant, and somehow it works beautifully. Spend your days harpooning fish in mysterious ocean trenches, then your nights serving them up to customers. It's quirky, addictive, and a fun reminder that the best vacation days often end with fresh seafood.

6. Aquaria

A gorgeous, moody indie classic where you play a mysterious aquatic creature exploring a sprawling underwater world through sound and song. It's slower-paced and atmospheric — great for a rainy afternoon when you'd rather be gazing out at the Atlantic.

7. Tchia

Not fully ocean-based, but its island setting and swimming, sailing, and diving mechanics make it feel like a warm-weather escape. Tchia captures that specific feeling of golden hour on the water that OBX regulars know so well.

8. Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Don't sleep on this one. Between the diving, the fishing, the tide pools, and the deserted island setting, Animal Crossing has quietly become one of the most soothing "beach vacation" simulators out there. It's low-stakes, charming, and dangerously easy to lose an evening to.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Real Thing Is Worth the Wait

As fun as these games are, nothing replaces the sound of real waves, the smell of salt air, or watching dolphins cruise the shoreline from your own oceanfront deck. Use these games to hold you over, then let the countdown end the way it should: with your toes in the sand at the Outer Banks.

Book your stay today in one of our cozy vacation rentals and explore all the best and brightest that the Outer Banks has to offer. Give our wonderful Guest Services Team a call today at (866) 884-0267 or take a look at our available rentals to get started planning your next historic adventure to the Outer Banks.

And don't forget about our layaway plan, which makes booking your dream vacation easier than ever. So don't wait. We're booking Outer Banks vacation rentals year round and we're excited to help you create memories to last a lifetime. We're here to help make your OBX vacation fun, exciting, and hassle-free. 

Give us a call today! Be sure to provide accurate information and make any necessary payments.