Exploring the ocean for national benefit

NOAA Ocean Exploration is the only federal program dedicated to exploring the unknown ocean, unlocking its potential through scientific discovery, technological advancements, partnerships, data delivery, and education.

Learn About Science & Exploration

Learn About Ocean Exploration

Dive into ocean exploration by exploring materials such as stories, ocean facts, and images and videos, organized by topic for learners of all ages and levels.

Ocean Science for Everyone
For Educators
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Highlights

Expedition Feature
Polymetallic nodules are collected from the seafloor during Dive 09 of the 2026 Cook Islands ROV Exploration cruise.

Marine Critical Minerals in the Cook Islands: A Preliminary Look

The Cook Islands is endowed with potential seabed mineral resources within its vast ocean territory. These resources may contain critical minerals that are increasingly important for technologies supporting modern economies.
A bright red uncrewed surface vessel branded Exail and Nauticus Robotics navigates open blue water with a city skyline on the distant horizon.
Expeditions & Projects
Southern Lake Michigan Seismic Survey
A shark tooth held up against the sunrise on the ship deck.
Expedition Feature
A Mega Find: Shark Teeth from the Deep Waters of the Cook Islands

News Updates

General
New Pathways to Discovery: NOAA Ocean Exploration Publishes Data on Global Databases
Publication
Researchers Identify Dense Coral and Sponge Communities in Deep Alaskan Waters
Opportunity
Call for Input: NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer 2027 Proposed Pacific Island Operating Areas
Education
Professional Development Workshop Brings Deep-Sea Science to Palau’s Middle and High School Classrooms
Event
From Seawater to Sequences: Exploring NOAA’s New Deep‑Sea Environmental DNA Dataset
General
From Data to Discovery: Unlocking Ocean Secrets With eDNA

In the Field: 2026

NOAA Ocean Exploration works with partners to explore previously unknown areas of our ocean, making discoveries of scientific, economic, and cultural value and supporting innovations in exploration tools and capabilities. In 2026, we will lead and support expeditions and fieldwork in the Pacific Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Lake Michigan.

Read About These Expeditions and Projects
Featured 2025 Statistics
339,864 Square Kilometers of Seafloor Mapped
120+ Days at Sea on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer
3.2 Million Website Views
600+ Educators Trained
NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer in port in Honolulu, Hawai‘i,

Status: NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer

From July 19 to August 13, NOAA Ocean Exploration, the Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority, and partners will conduct mapping and remotely operated vehicle operations on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer to increase our understanding of the seafloor and water column in the deep waters of the Cook Islands and to better characterize the resources and ecosystems they hold.

Learn About the Cruise

Featured Favorite

Striped shrimp seen on a bubblegum coral during Dive 05 of the Deep Connections 2019 expedition.

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