A remotely-operated-vehicle explores the sea floor in dim light.

a deep sea jellyfish

Deep Sea Overview

Ever want to explore the deep sea? This overview dives into everything to know about this under-explored world.

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Featured Content

a squid in blue water

Video

Quest for the Giant Squid

Teams of Robots Can Help Us Build 3D Maps of the Ocean

One of ten robots that examined an area of 800 cubic kilometers in northern Monterey Bay, over the course of 24 days, in 2006.

August 2017

Summer in a Sub: DROP Down to Discovery

A submersible explores the deep reefs off of Curacao in the Caribbean.

July 2011

What We DON'T Know About the Deep Sea

Dive through the zones of the ocean to the deep ocean bottom where many strange species live, and there are many yet to be discovered. Explore them in the Deep Ocean Exploration section.

July 2012

A variety of plankton images from the Gulf Stream

Overview

STREAMCODE – Planktonic Diversity of the Gulf Stream

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 all lesson plans see exploration lesson plans

Exploration Articles

Peter Auster: The Gee Whiz Factor

Auster gets ready to study fish predators at Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary off the coast of Georgia.

July 2011

Five Questions for Shirley Pomponi, Medical Sponge Hunter

Many medicines were based on a chemical from the sea sponge Tectitethya crypta.

October 2012

Down below where the sunlight cannot penetrate, the ocean is a dark, cold and alien landscape. Can life really exist in such an extreme environment? NOAA Ocean Today Every Full Moon takes a look at the bizarre and remarkable creatures that persist in the d

Video

Mysteries of the Mesopelagic

Screenshot of video showing ship on the ocean.

Video

Scientists Explore the Ocean in Alvin

Scientists Use Bioacoustics to Protect Marine Mammals

Phoenix swimming with her calf.

September 2011

Scientists Work to Predict and Prevent Algae Blooms

An algal bloom, also known as a red tide, has converted the ocean's surf to a red color

July 2011

A screenshot from the video of a deep-sea crustacean.

Video

Searching for Crustaceans in the Deep Sea

Back to School, Ocean Portal Style

Students Work on Channel Island Map Project

September 2010

CARTHE Drifters: Where does oil go when it is spilled?

One-meter-tall plastic drifters are released into the Gulf of Mexico in 2012. Over 300 of these drifters were released and their location information was sent to researchers every five minutes through GPS satellite.

February 2014

Expedition to the Line Islands

The Line Islands are one of the most remote places in the Pacific Ocean.

November 2009

A Captain’s Journey to the Antarctic

a man sits pondering with a tan ball cap on

March 2022

Amy Baco-Taylor: Passionate about Deep-Sea Corals

Black coral, primnoid coral, and feather stars flourish deep on the pristine Davidson Seamount.

July 2011