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.

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Highlights

News

Call for Input: NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer 2027 Proposed Pacific Island Operating Areas

As part of our community-driven exploration model, NOAA Ocean Exploration invites you to view our proposed operational areas* for 2027 and submit recommendations for acoustic mapping and exploration operations on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer in the Pacific Islands.
A crew monitors a white NOAA Ocean Exploration ROV suspended by a crane over a ship deck.
Expeditions and Projects
Exploration Season Begins: Inside the ROV Shakedown
NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer in port in Honolulu, Hawai‘i,
Expeditions and Projects
OECI On Board for Okeanos Explorer’s 2026 Field Season

News Updates

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
Event
Watch Live: Expedition to Advance Deep-Sea Coral Restoration
Publication
New Research Helps Show How Depth Affects Fish Distribution

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 in port in Honolulu, Hawai‘i, following the 2026 ROV Shakedown (EX2603) expedition. The 2026 Pacific Islands Mapping (EX2604) expedition will begin on June 16.

Learn About NOAA Ocean Exploration’s 2026 Field Season

Featured Favorite

This unusual purple octocoral in the family Plexauridae was observed at a depth of 1,368 meters (4,488 feet) during Dive 09 of the 2021 North Atlantic Stepping Stones expedition. During the dive, we also saw at least five species of black corals, a bamboo coral in the genus Acanella, and two other species of octocoral.

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