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

Expeditions and Projects
A woman wearing a yellow hard hat and orange life vest waves to the camera from the deck of a ship on a sunny day; another person in a pink hard hat appears behind her).

Live From the Field: Updates from Shari

Follow along as Shari Rohret, 2026 John A. Knauss marine policy and science communication fellow with NOAA Ocean Exploration, documents her adventures at sea during the 2026 Pacific Islands Mapping expedition.
July calendar page featuring a many-armed, red sea lily against a black background with the NOAA Ocean Exploration emblem.
Wallpaper
July Desktop Wallpaper Calendar
A blue crate filled with vertical push core tubes with colored handles, positioned on the ocean floor, is being approached by a robotic arm in a deep-sea environment.
Science and Technology
Sediment Cores

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

NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer is at sea for the 2026 Pacific Islands Mapping (EX2604) expedition. From June 16 to July 9, 2026, NOAA Ocean Exploration and partners will conduct mapping operations as the ship transits between Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, and Rarotonga, Cook Islands. Note that there will be not be any remotely operated vehicle operations during this expedition.

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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