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.

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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.

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Highlights

Expeditions and Projects
NOAA Ocean Exploration field season map with pins indicating where each expedition/project will take place

NOAA Ocean Exploration 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, projects will take place in the Pacific Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Lake Michigan.
Map showing the 2026 Exploration Vessel Nautilus expeditions, including the exploration regions of the Hawaiian Islands, Wake Island, and the Mariana Islands.
Expeditions and Projects
E/V Nautilus: 2026 Field Season
Inside a brightly lit shipboard wet lab, three researchers wearing blue nitrile gloves work together to process water samples. In the foreground, a scientist in a black jacket carefully holds a large clear bag of water over a row of filtering cylinders. To her right, two other researchers—one in a blue hoodie and another in a black jacket and orange baseball cap—assist with the equipment at a stainless steel workstation.
News
From Data to Discovery: Unlocking Ocean Secrets With eDNA

News Updates

Event
From Seawater to Sequences: Exploring NOAA’s New Deep‑Sea Environmental DNA Dataset
Event
Watch Live: Expedition to Advance Deep-Sea Coral Restoration
Publication
New Research Helps Show How Depth Affects Fish Distribution
General
10 Years of the “Casper” Octopus
Education
Ocean Exploration Education – Facilitator Training in Dauphin Island
Event • Opportunity
NOAA Ocean Exploration to Host Blue Technology Education Workshop

By the Numbers: 2025 In Review

In 2025, NOAA Ocean Exploration led and supported expeditions to enable scientific discovery; tested and supported the development of new and emerging technologies; shared our work with a variety of audiences; strengthened our network of partners; and more.

View Our 2025 Annual Report
Featured 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

Status: NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer

NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer is in port in Honolulu, Hawai‘i, after a successful mapping shakedown expedition. Up next is the 2026 ROV Shakedown (EX2603) in the deep waters around Hawai‘i from May 14-June 6. Stay tuned for more information.

Learn More About NOAA Ocean Exploration's 2026 Fieldwork

Featured Favorite

A beautiful anemone imaged during a Windows to the Deep 2019 expedition dive that took place about 200 miles off the coast of Florida in the Blake Plateau region.

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