23 Ways to Wear Summer's "Seafood Buffet" Nail Trend

A manicure featuring fish and oysters. — @serpentclaws / Instagram

The best part of summer is arguably spending weekend days relaxing in the ocean, reading books in the sand, and enjoying a seaside meal. But even if you aren't headed to the beach, you can carry a taste of the ocean vibes at your fingertips via the seafood buffet nail trend. Stemming from all the seashell and aquatic designs we've been seeing this summer, food-inspired fashion and beauty, and Euro summer trends, this quirky mani features motifs you might find at a seafood boil or sushi dinner.

Whether you love a lobster roll or a plate of oysters, want to feel like a mermaid, or need some out-of-the-box vacation nail ideas, seafood buffet nails are one of the most creative manicures we've seen this summer. Ahead, check out 23 under-the-sea manicures that any seafood fan will love.

01 of 23

Seaworthy Sardine

Closeup of a hand with painted nail art displaying the image of a fish wearing silver rings — @betina_goldstein / Instagram

With tinned seafood transforming into a staple summer motif, it's no wonder that sardines have officially made their way onto our nails. Pair the realistic fish with a neutral base to make the design pop.

02 of 23

A Little Lobster

Hands displaying nails with various colorful and artistic designs, including lobster and goldfish — @yo_keshh / Instagram

Pop art smiley faces and reaching lobster claws make for a mismatched mani that's truly full of joy. A goldfish in blue water on one ring finger adds some extra fun that feels like a friend (not food).

03 of 23

Summer Ombré

A closeup of a hand with intricate nail art featuring fish designs — @digitzbydev / Instagram

Long, almond-shaped nails give you plenty of room for these colorful fish. Summery ombré hues add visual interest.

04 of 23

All the Seafood

Hands with detailed nail art featuring fish and oyster designs — @serpentclaws / Instagram

Can't decide if you want to go with fish or oysters? Go for both. You can alternate nails, choose one as an accent, or do one design on each hand as seen above.

05 of 23

Fishy Friends

Closeup of hands with manicured nails featuring delicate designs — @afreshset / Instagram

Switch up your mani with varying tiny fish designs on each nail. The milky white base allows this look to match with any summer outfit.

06 of 23

3D Oyster

Sushi pieces on a black plate a hand with decorative nails holding a piece using chopsticks — @betina_goldstein / Instagram

Fresh, raw oysters are a summer staple, and this 3D design looks real enough to eat. All you need is some lemon and cocktail sauce (perhaps even as accompanying nail designs), and you're in business.

07 of 23

By the Seaside

Manicured fingernails with beach-themed nail art featuring gold decorations and blue accents — @themimid / Instagram

There's just as much exciting sea life on the sand as there is underwater. With seashell and sea star nail gems atop a base of waves crashing along the shore, this mani couldn't get beachier.

08 of 23

Swaying Seaweed

Hands with long, decorated nails including seaweed patterns and designs resting on a pink cushion — @digitzbydev / Instagram

Salmon and tuna are great, but we can't forget about an essential pairing to all this seafood: seaweed. These swaying leaves branching out from the tip of each nail are an out-of-the-box (and vegetarian-friendly) way to get in on the seafood buffet mani trend.

09 of 23

Cape Cod Claws

Fingernails with intricate designs of lobsters and other small artistic elements on a colorful background — @afreshset / Instagram

Aperol spritzes, sun, and lobsters are three iconic signs of a successful summer on Cape Cod (or anywhere, really). These are a must-have vacation mani.

10 of 23

Maine Lobster

A hand with manicured nails decorated with small red designs resembling shrimp — @betina_goldstein / Instagram

There's nothing quite like a summer lobster roll. Bring the festive vibes to your nails with this dainty design. With the help of some red and black nail polish shades, a thin nail art brush, and a dotting tool for the eyes, this look is possible to DIY.

11 of 23

At the Market

A seafood buffet manicure. — @heygreatnails / instagram

Behold: The shiniest, freshest little fish you'll ever see. It's almost like they came straight from an oceanfront market.

12 of 23

Sushi Rolls

Hands with colorful nails decorated with sushithemed art adorned with a ring — @chalkboardnails / Instagram

Fresh seafood also means sushi rolls. Salmon and tuna atop rice and complete with adorable winking faces make for a sweet, playful manicure for any age.

13 of 23

Vibrant Mix-N-Match

A closeup of hands displaying intricate nail art designs including goldfish, cherry, strawberry, and mushroom — @yo_keshh / Instagram

Vivid colors are a summer manicure essential. Paired with seasonal favorite fruits like strawberries and cherries, the orange fish on the left ring finger creates a fun mix-and-match design.

14 of 23

Squid Tentacles

A set of long, pointed nails with intricate decorations — @afreshset / Instagram

Calamari lovers, this one's for you. These shimmery squid tentacles are made all the more realistic with bubbles of clear builder gel atop the twisting art. They work best with a longer nail to better fit the tentacle, and the stiletto shape further accentuates the design.

15 of 23

Dainty Decals

Decorative nail art with koi fish designs — @tinybrushes / Instagram

As fun as all these seafood nail art designs can be, they can be challenging for beginners. DIYers can get the look at home by placing decals on each nail, like the koi fish above. After applying the decal, add a shiny top coat to seal everything in and keep things looking totally seamless.

16 of 23

Cool Koi Fish

Hands with detailed artistic manicure and rings — @naominailsnyc / Instagram

Koi fish and bonsai trees are a subtly Japanese-inspired mani. Paired with bright colors and builder gel, these nails bring a dose of opulent beauty to any vacation, Japan or elsewhere.

17 of 23

Sweetest Sting Rays

Hands with manicured nails featuring decorative blue polish and stingray design and a simple nail design two nails on each hand have unique artwork — @sierrasnails_ / Instagram

Ever thought of sting rays as cute? These nails prove that the giants really can be gentle. With the black sting ray design, you can use any base color to customize this to your liking.

18 of 23

Underwater Bubbles

Hands with blue nail art featuring a bubblelike design — @digitzbydev / Instagram

The seafood buffet manicure trend wouldn't be complete without the ocean itself. It's actually easy to recreate a similar look to these bubbly nails at home: All you need to do is stir water and soap until bubbly, paint on your desired base color, place some of the bubbly mixture on each nail, and let dry.

19 of 23

Evil Eyes

An evil eye manicure with tiny fish. — @yo_keshh / instagram

Just FYI: Evil eyes can protect you from anyone who thinks it's their right to take the last piece of salmon sashimi on the tray. That one is all yours.

20 of 23

Under the Sea

Hands displaying decorative nail art with blue and glossy designs — @bhambnails / Instagram

Searching for marine life? These under-the-sea nails are complete with drops of clear builder gel that mimic water droplets. They have us dreaming of snorkeling through the ocean.

21 of 23

Goldfish Pastels

Hands showing nails with various designs including rainbows, flowers, a smiley face, and abstract patterns — @yo_keshh / Instagram

Hints of pink, orange, and pastels match beautifully with the goldfish design. You can wear this on any nail shape or length, making it a versatile mani that brings a dose of joy to any season.

22 of 23

Simple Sardines

Hand with fingernails featuring simple nail art designs — @betina_goldstein / Instagram

These simple sardines show that less is sometimes more. The design is small yet incredibly detailed, with multiple colors creating each fish. The design really pops on a short, rounded nail with a shiny, clear base coat.

23 of 23

Wispy and Whimsical

Hands with decorated fingernails featuring vibrant patterns and fish designs resting on a surface — @afreshset / Instagram

The silver swirls on these nails make it look like the fish are swimming in moving water. Green and orange airbrushed aura nails create a calming base underneath the shimmery swirls and fish.