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 & Projects
NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer in port in Honolulu, Hawai‘i,

2026 American Samoa Mapping + Transit (EX2607)

Beginning on September 24, NOAA Ocean Exploration will spend several days mapping unexplored deepwater regions near American Samoa. The ship team will then transit northeast to Honolulu, bringing NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer into position for her next mission.
A yellow autonomous underwater vehicle sits secured on the open deck of a ship before deployment at sea.
Expeditions & Projects
Exploring Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary at Scale
Two researchers in hard hats on a ship’s deck transfer water samples from bottles on a remotely operated vehicle to plastic bags.
Expeditions & Projects
SOUP: A Recipe for Managing Data from the Abyss to Archive

News Updates

Education
NOAA Ocean Exploration Hosts Inaugural Blue Technology Education Workshop
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

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 — 2026 American Samoa Mapping + Transit (EX2607)

Beginning on September 24, NOAA Ocean Exploration will spend several days mapping unexplored deepwater regions near American Samoa. The ship team will then transit northeast to Honolulu, bringing NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer into position for her next mission.

Everyone loves a flapjack devilfish. We observed this one, an Opisthoteuthis agassizii, during Dive 12 of the 2019 Southeastern U.S. Deep-sea Exploration. The dots are clear windows in the skin. We are uncertain of their purpose, but suspect they may gather additional light.

Featured Favorite

Everyone loves a flapjack devilfish. We observed this one, an Opisthoteuthis agassizii, during Dive 12 of the 2019 Southeastern U.S. Deep-sea Exploration. The dots are clear windows in the skin. We are uncertain of their purpose, but suspect they may gather additional light.

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