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

Exploration

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

Quest for the Giant Squid

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

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

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

Summer in a Sub: DROP Down to Discovery

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.

What We DON'T Know About the Deep Sea

A variety of plankton images from the Gulf Stream

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.

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Exploration Articles

A team of scientists explore the Arctic ocean.

Under Arctic Ice

Small red hyperiid.

The Hyper Eyes of Hyperiids: How Some Shrimp-Like Creatures See Light in the Deep Sea

The ultra-black Pacific blackdragon forms a circular shape with its body.

Scientists Find First Ultra-Black Color in Deep-Sea Fishes

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NOAA