I Want to Smell Like an Expensive Coastal Getaway—These Marine Perfumes Are the Answer
Salty and fresh, these aquatic scents will have you dreaming of the seaside ASAP.


Salty, fresh and incredibly luxurious? Marine perfumes have all the makings of an expensive coastal getaway. Whenever I find myself dreaming of a summer in The Hamptons, these are the scents I reach for. Ask me to name some of the best perfumes of all time, and I guarantee that there will be multiple marine perfumes on the list.
A far cry from gourmand scents, these fragrances don't have a vanilla note in sight. Instead, they are dominated by sparkling citruses, sea salt accords and woody undertones that smell so expensive, you'd think I spend my weekends sunning it up with views of Malibu Pier. My budget might only stretch to Brighton, but thanks to my perfume collection, you'd never know the difference.
Possibly the perfect summer scent of all time, a marine perfume is a worthwhile investment for the upcoming months. As a beauty editor who has tested hundreds of fragrances over the years, I've rounded up my top seaside scents below, from luxury favourites to affordable staples. Whether you're off on a coastal getaway or simply want a little bit of escapism while sitting at your desk, these are the marine perfumes to know about.
The Best Marine Perfumes, Chosen by a Beauty Editor
- Best marine perfume overall: Jo Malone London Wood Sage & Sea Salt
- Best new marine perfume: Orebella Salted Muse
- Best long-lasting marine perfume: Victoria Beckham Beauty Portofino ‘97
- Best affordable marine perfume: Sol de Janeiro Agua Mistica Perfume Mist
- Best luxury marine perfume: Maison Francis Kurkdjian Aqua Media Cologne Forte
1. Jo Malone London Wood Sage & Sea Salt
Key notes: Ambrette seeds, sea salt and sage
Starting with an absolute classic (and a staple in my summer perfume rotation), let me introduce you to Jo Malone London's Wood Sage & Sea Salt. As the name suggests, this fragrance contains notes of sea salt alongside ambrette seeds and earthy sage. To me, this scent evokes memories of weekends spent at the Cornish coast with the breeze in my hair. It's fresh, revitalising and feels like that first intake of sea air on the skin.
2. Orebella Salted Muse
Key notes: Sea salt accord, pink pepper, olive tree accord, fig, lavender, cedarwood, sandalwood and amber
Next comes this captivating new perfume from Bella Hadid's perfume line, Orebella. Salted Muse is one of the most unique summer fragrances I have come across in the last few months, with this wonderfully woody, aquatic aroma that pulls you in on first spritz. While it does have the makings of a classic marine scent, thanks to notes of sea salt accord and sandalwood, hints of fig and lavender give it this unexpected depth that makes it feel so luxurious.
3. Victoria Beckham Beauty Portofino '97
Key notes: Sea notes, vetiver, amber and bergamot
Speaking of luxurious, I couldn't do this roundup and not include Victoria Beckham Beauty Portofino ‘97. If a chic summer getaway on the Italian Riviera is your thing, then this might be your next scent of choice. It's an incredibly sexy fragrance, with citrusy undertones and added spice thanks to notes of black pepper. Whenever I wear this, I envision myself whizzing down the Italian coast in a cute little convertible with a pair of designer sunnies perched on my head.
4. Sol de Janeiro Agua Mistica Perfume Mist
Key notes: Neroli, tangerine, salty accord, peony, jasmine and cedarwood
If you're looking for a slightly more affordable marine perfume, you can't go wrong with Sol De Janeiro. This limited edition body mist is the ultimate coastal scent with notes of neroli, tangerine and a salty accord. One spritz of this and I can practically hear the waves crashing on the shore.
5. Maison Francis Kurkdjian Aqua Media Cologne Forte
Key notes: Verbena accord, Italian bergamot, sweet fennel and musk
Imagine that first sip from a crisp glass of water with a fresh squeeze of lemon after a long day on the beach. This is exactly what Maison Francis Kurkdjian's fragrance smells like. It's light and fresh yet totally luxurious, and I want to bathe in it like sunlight every single summer.
6. Maison Margiela Replica Sailing Day
Key notes: Aquatic accord, aldehydes, iris absolute, red seaweed essence and amber wood
No brand captures a specific moment in time within a fragrance quite like Maison Margiela. Sailing Day is the ultimate seaside scent that takes me back to the ocean whenever I wear it. This fresh perfume feels like jumping off a cliff straight into the salty sea. If I had to sum it up in three words, I'd say it's fresh, crisp and invigorating.
7. Dolce&Gabbana Light Blue Capri In Love
Key notes: Jasmine tea, green apple and longoza
Crisp and refreshing, this fragrance is like biting into a juicy green apple on a hot summer's day. Don't be fooled, though, as this isn't your typical fruity scent. Delicate hints of jasmine tea and spicy longoza add a sophisticated touch. Spritzing this is like diving into cool blue water.
8. Molton Brown Coastal Cypress & Sea Fennel
Key notes: Fig, ginger, cypress, jasmine, leather and musk
Slightly less sweet but undeniably intoxicating is Molton Brown's Coastal Cypress & Sea Fennel perfume. I like to think of this as my mature marine scent, and I tend to reach for it during those balmy summer evenings. It perfectly captures the essence of a brisk coastal walk, with a slightly warmer, richer base compared to other scents in this roundup, thanks to notes of leather and musk.

Grace Lindsay is the junior beauty editor at Who What Wear UK. At the age of 18 she decided to train as a makeup artist before going on to study english and media at Goldsmiths University. It was during that time that she explored her love for journalism by interning at a small beauty start-up based in Shoreditch. Since then, she has worked at a number of publications including Marie Claire and Hello!, where her love for all things beauty continued to grow.
As Who What Wear UK's junior beauty editor, she covers everything from the latest hair trends to the stand-out makeup products of the season.
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