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
Multimedia

Highlights

Expeditions and Projects
A 3D point cloud model of the shipwreck Senator resting on the seafloor, rendered with colored points ranging from green for the seabed and lower parts of the hull to yellow and orange for the upper deck and structures. The data visualization shows the vessel’s form and the surrounding underwater terrain against a dark background.

Exploring the Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary at Scale

Between July 13 and 28, researchers will return to Lake Michigan for a second year of fieldwork to explore and archaeologically document nationally significant shipwrecks in the deep waters (130-450 feet) of Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary.
The silhouette of a woman with long hair is seen from behind as she looks out at a sunset at sea while standing near the railing at the edge of a ship; to her left is a raised metal box and a life preserver ring.
Expeditions and Projects
Embarking a Polliwog, Disembarking a Shellback: Carrying On One of the Oldest Maritime Traditions
A red rockfish swims above an orange anemone on a seafloor covered in small round sponges.
News
New Pathways to Discovery: NOAA Ocean Exploration Publishes Data on Global Databases

News Updates

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
Discovery
Scientists Reveal Identity of Mysterious ‘Golden Orb’ Collected During NOAA Expedition

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 10-14, NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer will be in port in Rarotonga, Cook Islands, after the completion of the 2026 Pacific Islands Mapping (EX2604) expedition. Our next expedition, 2026 Cook Islands ROV Exploration (EX2605), will begin on July 15, 2026.

Learn About NOAA Ocean Exploration’s 2026 Field Season

Featured Favorite

A silky medusa, Colobonema sericeum, seen during a mid-water transect on Dive 03 of the third Voyage to the Ridge 2022 expedition.

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Explore More With NOAA Ocean Exploration

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