What is /out/ opinion of the ocean? Do you enjoy being on the beach, swimming in open water, or boating X miles off shore?

I for one am absolutely terrified of the ocean and all that it contains. While I won't cower in fear at the thought of it or turn down a trip to the beach, I respect the ocean and its creatures as much as I fear them, and just cannot willingly put myself into the water beyond waist deep, or get on a boat bound for deeper water. I have no problems in rivers or lakes, but the ocean is just . . . I don't know man.