These pictures were taken from last year when I was on the Iolani paddling team. Only now do I realize why exactly the ocean was such a blue color (actually cyan). The ocean appears to be this color because the blue wavelengths are absorbed the least by the ocean water and are therefore reflected and scattered back to the observer's eye. The many particles found in the water contribute to helping the water reflect the blue light. The ocean water is actually not blue....it only appears blue to our eyes due to the scattered blue wavelengths!