Do you prefer oceans or lakes?

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

I prefer oceans, but at times I'd rather sit by a quiet lake somewhere.  I've come to appreciate both in my life.

[MaxQue]

Never really seen the ocean (except if New York Bay counts).

[SWE]

Lakes (normal)

[RI]

Oceans, including inland extensions a la Puget Sound and the Salish Sea.

[HagridOfTheDeep]

Lakes are prettier, so I voted lakes. The two aren't all that comparable in my opinion though, because the beachy feel of being on the ocean and hearing the waves is nothing like the serenity of a still lake in Northern Ontario.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

I think lakes are nicer to look at, and I love where my Aunt and Uncle take their camper out. It's a quiet, peaceful place.

It is of course much more fun to swim in the ocean. The waves are fun, especially when it is sort of rough, and they lack the gross bottoms that lakes have. The ocean floor is a bit harder than the floors of the lakes I've been in.

[afleitch]

Sea lochs. Best of both worlds.

[Kushahontas]

oceans

[patrick1]

Oceans, lake water is gross.

[Hatman 🍁]

Lakes are prettier, so I voted lakes. The two aren't all that comparable in my opinion though, because the beachy feel of being on the ocean and hearing the waves is nothing like the serenity of a still lake in Northern Ontario.

Being much used to still lakes in Northern Ontario, I voted for lakes as well.

Canada is quite advantaged in this regard for having the longest coastline in the world and the most freshwater lakes. Lots of water to chose from.

[Flake]

Lakes are beautiful, they are (usually) still and you can swim, play sports, etc, and unlike the ocean, if you accidentally swallow the water you won't feel like death, and the parts of the ocean I've been to I've always stepped on a manta ray or a crab, so I feel that lakes are so much better.

[TDAS04]

I love both, but voted for oceans.

[Cranberry]

Well, I haven't really been at the open ocean yet (will go there this summer though), just the North Sea and Mediterranean Sea coast, but I prefer this to classical "lowland" lakes. I love mountain lakes though. They are freezing cold, but so clear and fresh, and they smell of fresh melted snow and glaciers and the immense dimensions of the mountains. This (combined with mountain creeks, springs and cascades) tops every other form of water.

[DemPGH]

I like both, but I voted oceans. That's mainly because I like beaches, and the most relaxing thing in the world is to stand on an oceanic beach and behold the ocean in front of you. A mile or 2-mile run on the beach in the morning before it gets busy is the greatest thing ever. There's usually a lot to see and experience as well. There are a few along the eastern coast where if I got the chance I'd love to live near.

[politicallefty]

Oceans, although I've only ever been to the Pacific. I think California's coast is among the most beautiful places on Earth.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Never been to the ocean, so lakes be default. I imagine I'd still vote for lakes if I had the choice, I'm quite fond of them.

[DC Al Fine]

I've had access to both and vastly prefer lakes. Ocean water is COLD!

[Mr. Illini]

Oceans can be fun, but I'll take a lawn chair, beer, and Lake Michigan sunset over them any day.

[ilikeverin]

Rivers!

[Filuwaúrdjan]

The sea. How is this even a question?

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

Lakes

[Potus]

Lakes for boating. Oceans for vacationing.

[© tweed]

The sea. How is this even a question?

yeah, I didn't know it was possible to prefer lakes.  I guess a few Midwesterners convince themselves of it to boost their self-esteem.

[Linus Van Pelt]

Kind of a strange question, since both vary a lot, but I voted for lakes.

[Hash]

Both are great, but the ocean is better since I love the feeling of vast open spaces and besides, you're more likely to get waves to swim in if you're in the ocean (although Sandbanks on Lake Ontario has sick waves).