Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) is the world's premier independent organization dedicated exclusively to ocean research, technology, and education. We combine state-of-the-art science, engineering, and ship operations to unravel the mysteries of the deep and devise science-based solutions to planet-wide problems.
RECENT NEWS
Five big discoveries from WHOI’s Ocean Twilight Zone Project
Six years since it began, WHOI’s Ocean Twilight Zone project brings new and exciting insights to bear
Read 
Read 
💃🏽🕺🏽In honor of #MentalHealthAwareness month, WHOI staff blew off some steam this week– in time to The Rose Clancy Trio`s beat!
🎻 The community concert and dance was presented in partnership with @cape_symphony.
😮💨 How do you deal with pressure at work? Share your tips in the comments!
📸 by Jayne Doucette ©️ #WHOI
May 30
Get to know #Alvin, the deepest-diving human-occupied research #submersible in the United States! Commissioned by the @usnavyresearch and operated by #WHOI since 1964, the iconic #sub turns #60 this summer!
📹 by Elise Hugus © Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
May 30
In 2021, the human-occupied submersible ALVIN was certified to 6500 meters dive depth– about four miles below the ocean surface. As we speak, scientists from #WHOI, @scripps_ocean @occidentalcollege, @ucla, and @caltechedu are taking the sub on some of its deepest scientific dives yet off the coast of Alaska!
Researchers will be getting a close up look at life among methane seeps along the Aleutian Trench. But why not just send a robotic camera down? Find out what the human perspective brings to research from @sciencemagazine (🔗 in bio)
📸 by Hannah Piecuch @hannahesea © Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
May 29
🥳 ALVIN, the nation’s deepest-diving human-occupied submersible, is turning 60! Join #WHOI and the entire deep submergence community in wishing this iconic
sub a very happy birthday!
📲Share your own birthday message– and be sure to tag #Alvin60!
May 29
🦋🐌👼 My elegant swimming is often compared to the fluttering of an angel or butterfly, but I`m actually a type of snail. My delicate manners end at mealtime: to eat, I wrap my body in a sticky net of mucus to snag passing particles, then wrap it up like a taco and stuff it my slit-like mouth.
⁉️ Think you know what I am? Leave your guess in the comments!
📲 Still stumped? See if you can find a match at the link in bio!
Macro 📹 by Daniel Cojanu ©️ #WHOI
May 28
💦Seventh graders from @falmouthpublicschools got their feet wet during a day of ocean science in #WoodsHole last week!
Sponsored by #WHOI, @whoiseagrant and the @noaafisheries Northeast Fisheries Science Center, the students visited the Woods Hole Science Aquarium for a scavenger hunt, toured the WHOI dock and our coastal research vessel R/V Tioga, and dissected fish to determine their age and growth rates.
🧑🏾🔬🔬🐟️ We hope our local students are inspired to consider careers in marine science!
May 28
OUR WORK
WHOI is at the forefront of groundbreaking science and technology development, unlocking the mysteries of our ocean, its connections to life on Earth, and solutions it may hold to some of our most pressing environmental challenges.
Our scientists and engineers lead more than 800 concurrent projects, tackling some of the most challenging and important problems of our time, from climate change and ocean pollution to sustainable food and energy production.
We operate a fleet of research vessels and vehicles, including two large ships (R/V Neil Armstrong and R/V Atlantis), a smaller coastal research vessel, the iconic human-occupied submersible Alvin, and dozens of other underwater robots.
Through our higher education programs, including the prestigious MIT-WHOI Joint Program, we train new generations of ocean scientists, engineers, and leaders-providing access to cutting edge facilities and unparalleled access to the sea.
WHOI plays a leading role in ocean communications, sharing our insights and knowledge about the ocean to the general public, policymakers, educators, and more, so we can make wise decisions about our ocean, our planet, and our future.
FEATURED PROJECTS
We have over 1,000 scientists, engineers, technicians, and support staff working around the globe and cutting edge laboratories to push the boundaries of knowledge about the ocean.
Ocean and Climate Innovation Accelerator
Bringing together industry, academia, and philanthropy to develop and accelerate new climate change solutions.
Ocean Twilight Zone
Exploring the globe-spanning region beneath the sunlit upper ocean where life thrives
Ocean Worlds
Discovering the links between life in our ocean and the search for life beyond Earth
Marine Microplastics Initiative
Investigating the fate of microplastics and their impacts on marine life and human health
Super Reefs
Searching for corals around the world to help ensure a future for reefs in a warming ocean
Ocean Observatories Initiative
The NSF-funded program measures physical, chemical, geological and biological properties from the seafloor to the air-sea interface.
HADEX
Research and exploration of the deepest parts of the ocean, Earth’s final frontier
Reef Solutions
Working to protect corals and reverse the global decline of reef ecosystems