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Expeditions

NOAA Ocean Exploration supports research expeditions to explore previously unvisited areas of the ocean. We provide partnership coordination, funding, staff, tools, and expertise needed to develop mission plans that deliver rigorous, systematic observations and documentation of biological, chemical, physical, geological, and archaeological aspects of the ocean.

Follow expeditions supported by our office, including those on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer, while they are underway or trace the activities and discoveries of past expeditions. For each expedition covered on the website, you'll find information ranging from expedition plans and feature stories to educational materials and expedition daily updates, videos, and images. Use the links below to navigate NOAA Ocean Exploration-supported missions.

 

Current/Recent Expeditions

A very rich site with orange, purple, and pink sponges seen off southern Puerto Rico at a depth of 89 meters (292 feet) during Exploration of Deepwater Habitats off Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands for Biotechnology Potential.

Exploration of Deepwater Habitats off Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands for Biotechnology Potential

From April 10-21, 2024, a team of researchers explored and documented marine habitats in deepwater areas around Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The goal of the expedition was to collect marine organisms (e.g., sponges, corals, and microorganisms) that may contain natural products that can be developed into useful pharmaceutical products.

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Map of the six Beyond the Blue expeditions on Okeanos Explorer will take place in 2024, from May through November.

Beyond the Blue: Illuminating the Pacific

A total of six Beyond the Blue expeditions on Okeanos Explorer will take place in 2024, from May through November. As this year marks the return of Okeanos Explorer to the central Pacific region following work on the ship in the region in 2015-2017, efforts this year will focus on mapping deep waters of Hawaiʻi and Johnston Atoll.

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Expeditions by Topic

Visit this page to access web coverage of expeditions supported by NOAA Ocean Exploration, organized according to broad topical themes.

 

Expeditions by Location

Visit this page for a simple map showing the location of expeditions supported by NOAA Ocean Exploration and to access web coverage for these missions.

 

Expeditions by Year

This page features links to expeditions supported by NOAA Ocean Exploration, organized according to year.

 

Expeditions that took place prior to 2010 are archived here.

Access data collected during past expeditions via the NOAA Ocean Exploration Data Atlas.