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

Pacific Quest: Mapping and Exploring the Pacific

Pacific Quest: Mapping and Exploring the Pacific is a collaborative federal science campaign to map, explore, and characterize the deep ocean in the central and western Pacific. Through the exploration of largely unknown deep-ocean areas, the campaign provides timely, reliable, public data essential for understanding and managing our ocean environment, including places with the potential for deep-sea mineral resources.
The image depicts a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) illuminating a section of the ocean floor. The ROV’s bright lights cast a blue glow on the textured seabed, highlighting its rough surface. The surrounding water is a deep blue, fading into darker shades as it extends away from the light source, creating a sense of depth.
Expeditions & Projects
2026 American Samoa ROV + Mapping Exploration
26 people pose for the camera in front of a large screen. On the screen are two women wearing headsets who are also posing for the camera.
News
NOAA Ocean Exploration Hosts Inaugural Blue Technology Education Workshop

News Updates

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
General
From Data to Discovery: Unlocking Ocean Secrets With eDNA

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 — At Sea

From August 20 to September 17, NOAA Ocean Exploration and partners will conduct the 2026 American Samoa ROV + Mapping Exploration expedition on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer to explore deep waters in and around American Samoa. This expedition will include remotely operated vehicle dives to explore the seafloor and water column, overnight mapping operations, and continuous shore-side participation via telepresence technology.

Learn About the 2026 American Samoa ROV + Mapping Exploration Expedition
A robotic manipulator arm pours water from one clear plastic drinking glass into another on a stand to demonstrate dexterity.

Featured Favorite

It takes great skill to operate a manipulator arm on a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). With the ROVs on deck, pilots can hone their skills with everyday objects like glasses as shown here during the 2021 North Atlantic Stepping Stones expedition.

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