Sargassum forms dense clumps up to the size of a beach ball that slowly rotate as they drift. — The Atlantic Sargassum Belt

a graphic of 10 illustrated fish — The Complicated Tale of Salmon and Trout

A multi-colored map of the mid-Atlantic ride made from satellite imagery. — How the Ocean Floor Helped Seal the Deal for Plate Tectonics

Quicklinks

A hammerhead shark swims just underneath the surface of the water.

Sharks

Two whales swimming

Whales

Two penguins on a rocky shore.

Penguins

an ancient ocean seascape

Ocean Through Time

A colorful coral reef in blue ocean water.

Corals

a sea turtle

Sea Turtles

An iridescent jellyfish underwater.

Jellyfish & Comb Jellies

A satellite image of a hurricane.

Hurricanes Typhoons & Cyclones

Featured Content

A sailing canoe heads toward an island in the distance at full sail.

Circumnavigating our Changing Oceans

by Alia N. Payne

a man sits pondering with a tan ball cap on

A Captain’s Journey to the Antarctic

by Andrew D. Corso

A blue whale with a removable tag surfaces off the coast.

The Tons that Whales Eat...and Poop

Explore Map

Daily Catch

Two California market squids mate in the waters off of California's Channel Islands.

Love's Embrace

While spawning, the male market squid's arms blush red as he embraces the female, a warning to other competing males to back-off.

Around the Web

Dirty, Crevassed Glaciers in Alaska

Ocean Leadership

History and Seaports in Charleston

Ocean Leadership

Dry Season Fires in Australia

Ocean Leadership

The Eastern Caribbean Is Swamped by a Surge of Seaweed

Ocean Leadership

Roving Exhibit Highlights Ocean Plastics Problem

Ocean Leadership

Are You An Educator?

At Smithsonian Ocean, we have lesson plans, activities, and resources to help you engage your students in the wonders of our oceans.

See Lesson Plans