Thousands of mysterious “unidentified submersible objects” (UFOs) have been reported near US coastlines this year, sparking concern among scientists and military analysts. A surge in unexplained sightings, glowing lights plunging into the sea or emerging silently from it, has prompted one former Navy admiral to warn of a “world-changing” phenomenon that the US government may not be fully disclosing.

Surge in mysterious underwater sightings

The reports come from Enigma, a UFO-tracking platform that describes itself as the world’s largest searchable database of global UFOs sightings. Since its launch in 2022, Enigma has logged over 30,000 cases involving unidentified aerial and underwater phenomena.

According to Enigma’s latest analysis, more than 9,000 sightings this year occurred within 10 miles of US shorelines or major lakes, and around 500 were within five miles. Of these, roughly 150 specifically describe objects hovering above or plunging into the sea, according to data cited by Marine Technology News.

California and Florida topped the list, with 389 and 306 sightings, respectively, both states known for their expansive coastlines and frequent maritime traffic. One of the most viral submissions included video footage showing glowing green lights gliding beneath the ocean’s surface.

Maps released by Enigma show dense clusters of sightings along both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, particularly near California, Florida, and the Gulf of Mexico.

Former Navy admiral raises red flag

While many UFO sightings are later dismissed as misidentifications, atmospheric reflections, or optical illusions, some high-ranking military officials argue that the underwater phenomena deserve serious scrutiny.

Retired US Navy Rear Admiral Tim Gallaudet told the New York Post that the rising number of credible cases linked to oceans is alarming. “The fact that unidentified objects with unexplainable characteristics are entering US water space and the Department of Defense is not raising a giant red flag is a sign that the government is not sharing all it knows,” Gallaudet wrote in a 2024 report for the Sol Foundation, a research institute dedicated to studying anomalous phenomena.

He added that any technology capable of transitioning seamlessly between air and water—without crashing, slowing down, or leaving a splash—could have “world-changing implications.”

Past military encounters with underwater UFOs

This isn’t the first time the US military has encountered such phenomena. In July 2019, the USS Omaha, a US Navy combat ship, tracked an unidentified spherical object off the coast of San Diego. The object reportedly descended rapidly into the Pacific Ocean before vanishing without impact or debris.

The Pentagon later verified the footage, confirming its authenticity, though it declined to classify the object as extraterrestrial. The incident reignited debate over “transmedium vehicles,” craft capable of operating in both air and water, which defense analysts say could represent advanced surveillance or unknown technologies.

What experts are saying

Some scientists remain skeptical, suggesting that many of the sightings may stem from natural or human-made causes such as bioluminescent marine life, experimental drones, or classified naval operations.

However, others argue that the frequency and consistency of recent USO reports warrant formal investigation. The US Department of Defense has already established the All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) to study unexplained aerial and submersible phenomena, but critics like Gallaudet say the government’s transparency remains limited.

Where are most underwater UFOs being seen?

• California: 389 sightings reported in 2025
• Florida: 306 sightings
• New York and Texas: Moderate increases along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts
• Great Lakes region: Several reports of glowing lights emerging from or disappearing into freshwater lakes

According to Enigma’s data, over 30% of USO sightings occur near heavily trafficked naval or shipping zones, fueling speculation that the phenomena could be linked to surveillance activity or advanced propulsion experiments.

Why these reports matter

Unidentified submersible objects blur the line between marine science and aerospace defense. For the US military, any object—alien or otherwise—capable of breaching restricted water space undetected could pose a national security concern.

If even a fraction of these sightings involve advanced technology, Gallaudet notes, it could “change our understanding of physics, defense, and planetary surveillance.”

For now, the data raises more questions than answers: Are these USOs products of classified defense research, misinterpreted natural phenomena, or evidence of something far more extraordinary?