Underwater dream meaning is explained below using 6 different sources. Each interpretation is shown with its source.

Interpretation 1 — Nancy Wagaman

Subconscious.

Hidden or unknown.

“Other worldly” or detached from reality.

A desire to escape reality or take a break.

The environment of your inner life at the time of the dream (for example, clear water might represent mental clarity, or murky water might represent confusion).

Acting or thriving outside your comfort zone (since water is outside of a human’s usual air-based environment).

Being able to breath underwater can represent: an ability to thrive in a challenging environment, a feeling of invincibility, power, uniqueness, or specialness (or a desire for such).

Panicking underwater can represent a feeling or fear of overwhelm, losing control, or mental or emotional smothering.

See Swimming, Diving, Water, Water, Body of, Flood, Drowning

Source: The Curious Dreamer’s Dream Dictionary Author: Nancy Wagaman

Interpretation 2 — Dr. Mıchael Lennox

Water is symbolic of the emotional side of the human experience. To dream of being underwater is about being immersed in the nature of your feelings.

A common dream is to be able to breathe and move with ease underwater; this represents a level of grace and ease with a current emotional situation. Fear of being underwater reflects the opposite.

If it is you that is underwater, then it is your own life experience that is being expressed.

If someone else is underwater, then the aspect of your character that the person represents may be key to what is creating an upheaval of feelings.

Source: Complete Dictionary of Dreams Author: Dr. Mıchael Lennox

Interpretation 3 — myjellybean

Dreaming of being underwater suggests you are in over your head regarding some situation. You need to gain better control over your life.

If you can breathe underwater in your dream, this represents a retreat back into the womb. You want to return to a state where you were more carefree and had no responsibilities.

Source: My Dream Interpretation Author: myjellybean

Interpretation 4 — Dream Explanations - Anonymous

Dreams of being under water signify that you are allowing yourself to be immersed in a relationship, a belief system, your feminine nature, and you are exploring the deep end of your mysterious nature, sexuality, and depth.
Source: Strangest Dream Explanations Author: Dream Explanations - Anonymous

Interpretation 5 — Joan Seaman - Tom Philbin

1. Overcome by life, unable to fight back.

2. One needs to learn how to navigate one’s life better.

3. In “over one’s head.” 4. If breathing underwater, one has returned—temporarily and emotionally—to the womb.

Source: New American Dream Dictionary Author: Joan Seaman - Tom Philbin

Interpretation 6 — Betty Bethards

Going into unknown emotional depths of yourself for understanding.

A very healthy sign.

Source: The Dream Books Symbols Author: Betty Bethards