The present investigation deals with the inhibition of corrosion of carbon steel in sea water by amino acids. The inhibitive action of various amino acids namely L- Tyrosine, L- Arginine, L- Alanine, L- Glutamic acid and L- Tryptophan in combination with zinc ion (Zn2+) on the corrosion of carbon steel in sea water has been studied by electrochemical and non- electrochemical methods. The present study leads to the following conclusions: All the five inhibitors exhibit synergism with Zn2+ in the corrosion inhibition of carbon steel in sea water. The corrosion IE of the Amino acids used is in the order- L- Tyr L- Arg L- Ala L- GA L- Tryp The amino acids act as electron pumpers onto the metal surface and thus prevent the release of electrons from the metals.