A large, black instrument is hauled onto a ship's deck by researchers wearing hard hats and life vests. — What the Big Picture Can Teach Us About Tiny Ocean Creatures

an illustration of two gannets — Seabirds of America

the skull of a mosasaur — Meals of the Mighty Mosasaur

Quicklinks

A satellite image of a hurricane.

Hurricanes Typhoons & Cyclones

Two penguins on a rocky shore.

Penguins

Mangrove roots stick out above coastal waters.

Mangroves

A colorful coral reef in blue ocean water.

Corals

a sea turtle

Sea Turtles

A giant squid at the surface of the ocean.

Giant Squid

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

Sharks

An iridescent jellyfish underwater.

Jellyfish & Comb Jellies

Featured Content

A map of the Mid Ocean Ridge

Making a Mark on the Ocean Floor

by Danielle Hall

An arrow-worm from the genus Spadella. Alvariño discovered and classified the species Spadella gaetanoi in 1978.

Ángeles Alvariño: Woman of Many Namesakes

by Kalila Morsink

Although in reality an ichthyosaur and plesiosaur would have likely never battled, this widely shared lithograph by artist, geologist and paleontologist Henry De la Beche even inspired author Jules Verne to pen a similar scene in his book, Journey to the C

Unearthing History: Mary Anning's Hunt for Prehistoric Ocean Giants

by L.K. Ward

Explore Map

Daily Catch

A basket star with many arms.

Basket Star

Deep sea dwellers, the basket star uses its long, twisting arms to snag zooplankton from the water. Each arm has several hooks that enable it to efficiently grab a meal.

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