NOAA Okeanos Explorer | Beyond the Blue

Happening Now! Virtually dive (live!) into Pacific waters with NOAA’s Okeanos Explorer

Discoveries await: Follow NOAA’s live-streamed mapping expedition from now until May 22, 2025

If you missed any of the previous dives, you can watch replays of them HERE.

Starting this week, you’re invited to join NOAA live on a virtual deep-sea expedition in deep waters just off of Hawaii! During the Beyond the Blue: Papahānaumokuākea ROV and Mapping expedition, NOAA and partners will use remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and advanced seafloor mapping systems to explore these never-before-surveyed waters.

From April 11 through May 22, anyone with an internet connection can be a deep-sea explorer and dive to depths as great as 3.2 miles (5,200 meters) below the surface! Simply tune into the expedition’s live video feed. Scientists from around the world will lend their expertise, narrating what is happening in real time.

Note regarding audio: Audio is only available during dives, when the remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) are in the water. Audio from ship-to-shore science conversations is available on Camera 1. Audio from the ROV pilots is available through Camera 2. Audio from both science participants and ROV pilots is available on Camera 3; to hear more or less of one of the conversations on Camera 3, adjust the audio settings on your computer to shift the balance right or left, for more science and less pilots or vice versa.

Most of the waters that will be explored during the expedition have never been visually surveyed before. The dives may reveal surprising discoveries, like marine life unknown to science to undiscovered seamounts, shipwrecks and more!

Tune in

What: Remotely operated vehicle dives within U.S. deep waters in the Pacific Islands region.

When: Dives will be streamed live nearly every day, April 11 – May 2, from approximately 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. HDT/1 p.m. to 11 p.m. EDT. Dates and times are subject to change.

Where to watch: NOAA Ocean Exploration website: https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/livestreams/welcome.html

Why: To watch (live!) as we explore never-before-seen deep-sea coral and sponge habitats, seamounts, the water column, shipwrecks and more.

ROV and seafloor mapping data collected during this and other expeditions conducted by NOAA Ocean Exploration in the Pacific Islands region will help to establish a baseline assessment of the ocean environment and its resources; increase understanding of marine life and habitats to inform management decisions; help further inform future exploration efforts; and increase public awareness of ocean issues.

Through these and other activities, NOAA Ocean Exploration is working to broaden ocean understanding fundamental to advancing science and technology, building ocean-related industries, enhancing the nation’s prosperity and security, informing policy and decision-making and educating and inspiring future ocean explorers.

Happening TODAY, April 14, 2025!

Dive 04: Unnamed Seamount 02 Northwest of Volador Seamount

Dive 04 will take place on the western ridge arm of an unnamed seamount northwest of Volador Seamount. The dive will start at a depth of approximately 1,700 meters (5,577 feet), approximately 450 meters (1,476 feet) below the seamount’s summit. The team will characterize communities of sponges, corals, and marine life along the rift arm and then document transitions between habitat types while moving towards the summit of the seamount. Once on the summit, the team will document any communities present and will collect geological samples and eDNA water samples to further characterize the geology and ecology of the region.

Approximate ROV launch: 8:30 a.m. HDT / 2:30 p.m. EDT
Approximate bottom arrival time: 9:30 a.m. HDT / 3:30 p.m. EDT
Approximate bottom departure time: 3:40 p.m. HDT / 9:40 p.m. EDT

Note that this is a tentative plan and is subject to change before or during the dive.

Meet the Ship

NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer is the only federal vessel dedicated to exploring our largely unknown ocean for the purpose of discovery and the advancement of knowledge about the deep ocean.

The ship is operated by the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps and civilians as part of NOAA’s fleet managed by NOAA’s Office of Marine and Aviation Operations. NOAA Ocean Exploration owns the mission equipment used during expeditions on Okeanos Explorer and coordinates the ship’s exploratory mission. The exploration remotely operated vehicles are operated via a partnership with NOAA Ocean Exploration and the Global Foundation for Ocean Exploration .

Missions of the 224-foot vessel include mapping, site characterization, reconnaissance, advancing technology, education, and outreach—all focused on understanding, managing, and protecting our ocean. Expeditions on the ship are planned collaboratively, with input from partners and stakeholders, and with the goal of providing data that will benefit NOAA, the scientific community, and the public.