Seconding this. If you're into it, it's pretty awe-inspiring to see open water all the way to the horizon, 360°.

This same experience on an ice sheet is equally surreal and fascinating.

For a six foot tall person the horizon at sea level is only 3 miles away. You could get that experience on a big lake if it's more than six miles square.

If you think that’s the same experience I’m guessing you haven’t done it. Unfortunately my ocean voyage (from Okinawa to California) was when I was too young to remember much.