The ocean in a dream is generally a symbol of the subconscious. It often represents a longing or bottled up emotion that the person may not be aware of yet. The person who sees the ocean in their dream may believe that this longing or emotion is starting to create tension in their life and if they can find it, they can empty that feeling and move on with their day.
Ocean in a dream could also refer to a vulnerable place within you that is rarely embraced and appreciated. The ocean refers to other people or to a thought or idea that we nearly drown in.