Water is a powerful symbol in storytelling from ancient myths to contemporary stories, representing life, mystery, transformation, or danger. Water’s presence can be both life-giving and destructive, reflecting the dual nature of existence—calm and chaos, surface and depth.
For today’s fiction podcast list, we’ve handpicked ten fantastic, lesser-known fiction podcasts where water plays a central role in the story. These shows plumb the depths of the human experience, with water as the constant that connects them all.
As usual, we’re featuring shows that have fewer than 100 reviews on Apple Podcasts as of this writing, giving you the chance to explore the hidden depths of audio fiction. Grab your headphones and prepare to submerge!
All shows are available to listen to on Apollo Podcasts, or wherever you listen.
Cascadia
By 911 Podcasts
https://linktr.ee/cascadia_series
Cascadia is a gripping deep-sea audio drama set ten years after a catastrophic earthquake and tsunami devastate the Pacific Northwest. In this high-stakes narrative, a new ocean floor emerges along the Cascadia Subduction Zone. A philanthropic billionaire is unable to lead the exploration, leaving a rookie captain to pilot the Alexandria Submarine through the uncharted abyss. Tensions rise as the crew grapples with trust issues.
Praised for its exceptional sound design, top-tier acting, and emotional plot twists, Cascadia immerses listeners in a suspense-filled adventure beneath the ocean. Fans of high production value, cinematic podcasts, with suspenseful storytelling and a focus on character development, will find this audio drama worth diving into.
“This show is truly one of the best audio dramas I have ever heard. It had me gripped from the moment I pressed play to the very end. Intense highs and emotional lows. Great plot twists and TOP TIER acting.”
Julie32938 via Apple Podcasts
Primordial Deep
By No Such Thing Productions
https://nosuchthingradio.com/primordialdeep
Primordial Deep is a gripping science fiction audio drama set in the depths of the ocean, created by Jordan Cobb. The story follows marine biologist Dr. Marella Morgan, who is recruited by a secret organization to investigate the sudden reappearance of long-extinct sea creatures. Along with a diverse crew of explorers aboard the research station The Tiamat, she embarks on a perilous journey across the ocean’s abyssal plains, encountering monstrous prehistoric creatures and facing unimaginable dangers lurking beneath.
Set in the same universe as Janus Descending, Primordial Deep delivers a thrilling mix of tension, action, and mystery, blending elements of horror and adventure. The production is praised for its immersive sound design, captivating writing, and strong voice acting.
“This podcast has me hooked. At first I was only listening to it at work. But now I am listening to it on my walks. At home while cleaning. (…) I don’t want this to end.”
Ms natural via Apple Podcasts
Boston Harbor Horror Presents
By Mike Gagne
Boston Harbor Horror Presents is an immersive audio drama that follows Coast Guard Petty Officer Alex Devereaux as he responds to a medical emergency on a small island in Boston Harbor. What begins as a routine mission quickly escalates into a gripping Lovecraftian mystery, plunging Devereaux into a world of supernatural horrors lurking beneath the surface.
The series blends elements of maritime life, historical background, and coastal mystery with cosmic horror, drawing inspiration from the works of H.P. Lovecraft. Fans of eerie, slow-burn storytelling will enjoy the well-developed characters, detailed sound design, and the creeping dread that pervades each episode.
While the show’s production values and voice acting have garnered praise for their depth and atmosphere, some listeners have noted the occasional overuse of sound effects and uneven voice performances. Despite these critiques, many consider it a hidden gem in the audio drama world, especially for those who enjoy a mix of historical fiction, maritime lore, and the unknowable terrors of the deep.
Listeners who appreciate Lovecraftian horror and eerie, atmospheric tales will find Boston Harbor a compelling, slow-burn thriller that builds tension with each new revelation.
“What a great podcast this is – I am very much enjoying it and the characters – it reminds me a little of the TinTin adventures. Much better than a lot of more widely known podcast dramas and I am looking forward to more.”
Paintgranny via Apple Podcasts
Omen | A Fantasy Audio Drama
By Tim Krause
Perfect for fans of fantasy, adventure, and pirate tales, Omen is an immersive audio series following three unlikely heroes as they navigate ancient ruins, high seas, and perilous adventures. Set in a richly crafted fantasy world, the show blends elements of mystery, adventure, and friendship, all while cracking pirate skulls and dabbling in explosive confrontations. It features top-notch voice acting, intricate sound design, and compelling characters, offering listeners a high-stakes, fast-paced narrative with a cast of vibrant personalities. Listeners can expect dynamic world-building, surprising plot twists, and plenty of heart, humor, and suspense.
“The characters are so interesting and entertaining. The whole world is constructed in amazing way and so fascinating I hope I will have a chance to learn more about it. And Méabh de Brún playing pirate? Simply amazing.”
Julcynea via Apple Podcasts
Fulmar’s Folly
By Static Airwaves
Fulmar’s Folly is a post-apocalyptic fiction podcast set two years after a devastating pandemic known as the Wasting has collapsed civilization. The story follows the Cooper family as they struggle to survive aboard their small sailboat, Fulmar’s Folly, while facing multiple threats, including pirates, infected survivors, and the relentless dangers of the sea. Each episode focuses on different family members and listeners can expect a tense, emotionally charged narrative taking them on a gripping journey. Themes of survival, fear, and family are central to the plot as the Coopers are constantly challenged by both external and internal forces. The show is known for its intense atmosphere, character-driven storytelling, and the exploration of moral dilemmas in life-or-death situations.
“A well planned and thought show, each episode just leaves you hanging wanting the next one right away! The actors make it feel so real and life like, while I’m listening to it shouting out ‘come on you can make it!!!'”
Martyez via Apple Podcasts via Apple Podcasts
The Endless Ocean
By The Fool’s Gallery
The Endless Ocean is a serialized audio drama that follows the journey of The Alabaster Queen as it sails into the uncharted and perilous waters of an unexplored ocean. Filled with haunting mysteries, dangerous encounters, and magical creatures, the crew faces gods and humans alike in a battle for survival. Written and directed by Keenan Ellis, the show offers a rich auditory experience that transports listeners into a fantastical world. Fans of steampunk, adventure, and eerie fantasy will feel this show, praised by listeners for its vivid storytelling, immersive soundscapes, and creative world-building. With unexpected twists, the show keeps listeners hooked as they follow the crew beyond the edge of the known world.
“This is the first narrative I’ve heard set aboard a ship in the ocean and the many details and sounds give it a fresh feeling. The creators voice is pleasant and easy to listen to, and the story is creative and very interesting. Highly recommend!”
Dienro7 via Apple Podcasts
Trice Forgotten
By Rusty Quill Ltd
https://rustyquill.com/show/trice-forgotten
Trice Forgotten is a fiction podcast that blends high-seas adventure with deep explorations of identity, colonialism, and found family. The story follows Alestes, a merchant-turned-captain, who has accumulated a diverse and intriguing crew aboard her ship, which now serves as a floating museum and laboratory. As the crew grows closer, Alestes must confront a critical decision—whether to use her newfound alliances to carve out a future for her crew or continue to evade the responsibilities of leadership.
The podcast masterfully weaves together themes of resistance, survival, class, and racism, while also offering moments of humor and heartache. Fans have praised the show for its richly developed characters, stunning soundscapes, and a narrative that handles complex topics with care. With its engaging world-building, queer representation, and emotional depth, Trice Forgotten offers listeners an immersive and impactful audio experience. Perfect for fans of pirate tales, LGBTQ+ stories, and those seeking a fresh take on historical fiction.
“It’s such a treat for the fans of queer pirate stories. The characters are queer in so many ways it warms my heart. The crew creates a hilarious found family it’s really fun to see their next misadventures. The actors’ performances made me feel so many emotions and often left me with my mouth hang open. I fell in love with this story and I hope I will have a chance to hear its continuation.”
Julcynea via Apple Podcasts
Tartarus
By Tartarus
https://tartaruspod.tumblr.com
Tartarus is a gripping sci-fi horror fiction podcast set in a secret Antarctic facility, where an anxious astrobiologist, a terse station manager, and an enigmatic A.I. work together to keep humanity safe from the monstrous threats they imprison. The show blends atmospheric tension, dark humor, and intense sound design to create an immersive experience filled with surprises, eerie moments, and complex characters. With its unique mix of horror and science fiction, Tartarus explores themes of isolation, survival, and the unknown lurking beneath the ice.
Listeners have praised the show for its visceral sound effects and engaging characters. If you’re looking for a podcast that delivers both scares and laughs in equal measure, Tartarus offers a thrilling dive into the abyss.
I saw this show recommended on Twitter by Station Blue and thought I’d give it a try. Now I can’t wait to hear the story unfold. If you like Station Blue and/or The White Vault, this will be a great show to add to your list! ✨”
egabriells via Apple Podcasts
No Place But The Water
By BBC
http://bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000ly22
No Place But the Water is a climate-fiction drama set in a future world submerged by rising waters. At the center of the story is a family that runs a hotel at the edge of the water, struggling as food supplies dwindle and the floodwaters continue to rise. With nowhere to turn, they face both environmental threats and the mysterious dangers hidden in their surroundings. As they uncover unsettling secrets about the hotel and its past, the family must confront questions about survival and the unknown forces watching them.
This thought-provoking and suspenseful series brings together environmental themes and haunting mystery and has been praised by listeners for its sound design and intense storytelling. Fans describe it as beautifully crafted, captivating, and full of intrigue, while some compare its eerie atmosphere to Turn of the Screw. Perfect for listeners who enjoy dystopian dramas with a sense of suspense and deep emotional resonance.
“Future. Water. Seeds. Some of the biggest environmental questions hunting our today. This podcast is beautiful as it brings them all together. Just brilliant. Amazing story and fab production. Must listen.”
shaunMaltese via Apple Podcasts
Between The Devil
By Violet Hour Media
https://violethourmedia.com/between-the-devil
Between the Devil is a horror fiction podcast set in 18th-century Europe, which follows a young girl who craves adventure and stows away aboard her father’s newly-christened merchant ship. Instead of the adventure she imagines, Sammy is met with terror as paranoia seizes the crew and unseen malevolent forces take control of the vessel. With atmospheric sound design, immersive storytelling, and high-stakes drama, this podcast captures the suspense of the high seas, blending supernatural elements with the psychological tension of a crew spiraling into madness. Fans praise the show for its thrilling production, dramatic tension, and a twist-filled plot, where every episode unfolds with creeping horror and unforgettable storytelling.
“An extremely well written podcast with a ending that will shock and satisfy that love of Drama horror! Kudos to the producers for making this show!”
(Walter55) via Apple Podcasts
More fiction podcast lists:
- Off The Beaten Laugh Track: 10 Hidden Comedy Treasures in Fiction Podcasting
- Exploring the Unknown: Ten Sci-Fi Audio Dramas You Might Have Missed
- Revealing the Top 10 Steamy Podcasts this Year
- Some of the Best Fiction Podcasts: Must-Listen Shows for Every Genre in 2024
- The Sound of Collapse: 10 Fiction Podcasts Set in Dystopian Worlds
