It aired from 2011 to 2016 on Saturday mornings on ABC affiliates as part of the nature-oriented programming block called Litton's Weekend Adventure, along with complementary shows Jack Hanna's Wild Countdown, Born to Explore with Richard Wiese, and Sea Rescue.
Opening and closing segments generally take place within the environs of the Georgia Aquarium introducing the same or similar species to be profiled on that episode from distant locations such as Southern Africa, California, Hawaii, Alaska, Canada (specifically British Columbia and Quebec), Australia, New Zealand, Florida, the Caribbean Sea, Puerto Rico, the Gulf of Mexico, and Grand Cayman Island.
In 2014, Ocean Mysteries won the Outstanding Travel Program category in the 41st Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Awards.
In a positive review, Emily Ashby of Common Sense Media wrote, "If you're looking to learn something new as a family, Ocean Mysteries is a great place to start, and it's sure to inspire a new respect for the natural world and a new appreciation for conservationists' efforts to protect it.
"[4] The Dove Foundation called the television series a "great learning" experience, noting that Corwin discussed sea turtles from both the current day and millennia past.