Sustained data for a changing ocean

The Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI) is a science-driven ocean observing network that delivers real-time data from more than 900 instruments to address critical science questions regarding the world's oceans.

Funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation to encourage scientific investigation, OOI data are freely available online to anyone with an Internet connection.

Our Mission

The NSF's Ocean Observatories Initiative operates and maintains sophisticated instrumentation in demanding ocean locations to collect and provide data to better understand the ocean, its complexity, and how it is changing because of natural and anthropogenic processes. The OOI connects the community to a wide range of ocean platforms and sensors through its cyberinfrastructure without the need to go to sea.

A Visual journey

A Window into the Changing Planet is a short documentary that shows the beauty and fragility of the ocean and explains how scientists, students, and policymakers are using OOI data to determine how the ocean is changing, at what speed, and what it means for the planet.

OOI Updates

Learn about the latest OOI activities and how OOI data are changing the shape of classroom instruction and advancing ocean research.

How to Access Data March 18, 2024

NSF Announces Solicitation for OOIFB Support Office

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News March 11, 2024

Bio-acoustic Sonar Echograms

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News March 9, 2024

Pioneer MAB Array Workshop Applications

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News March 8, 2024

Is Axial Seamount Napping?

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Webinar March 6, 2024

Jupyter Hub Town Hall Video Available

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News February 29, 2024

Communicating with Colleagues Teaching with OOI Data

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How to Access Data February 28, 2024

Jupyter Hub Town Hall: March 6, 1 pm ET

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News February 18, 2024

Live Data Demos at OOI Booth#210

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News February 14, 2024

OOI at Ocean Sciences Meeting 24

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Science Highlights February 6, 2024

Diel Vertical Migrators Respond to Short-Term Upwelling Events

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News January 30, 2024

Battling the Corrosive Properties of Seawater

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News January 26, 2024

New Coastal Endurance Array Video

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News January 23, 2024

Shipboard Training Fellowship Announced

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News January 22, 2024

Live Stream with Former OOI Engineer

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News January 22, 2024

CGSN Events at OSM24

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News January 19, 2024

AUV Data Available in a Variety of Formats

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News January 16, 2024

Using Sound to Create Accessible Ocean Data

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News January 10, 2024

Instrumentation Updates for Planned Pioneer MAB Array

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News January 2, 2024

Edson Showcases OOI at COP 28

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News December 28, 2023

Water Sample Data Available thru BCO-DMO Repository

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News December 18, 2023

OOIFB Town Hall at Ocean Sciences Meeting: Feb 20

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News December 18, 2023

Pioneer Student Boat Crossed Atlantic 3X

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News December 17, 2023

Ocean Data Labs Mini-Workshop at OSM24

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OOI In The News December 15, 2023

Call for Additional Ocean Observations

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News December 11, 2023

OOI at AGU 2023

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Latest Expeditions

Learn about the latest OOI expeditions that keep the OOI arrays continuously gathering so you have access to real-time ocean data around the clock from your laptop.

OOI Events

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Upcoming Event
Mar 26 2024 - Mar 29 2024 All Day Event

NSF’s 2024 Research Infrastructure Workshop

OOI Events

Apr 03 2024 - Apr 05 2024 All Day Event

US CLIVAR Workshop: Optimizing Ocean Observing Networks for Detecting the Coastal Climate Signal

Jun 02 2024 - Jun 05 2024 All Day Event

OOI Data Labs 2024 Mid-Atlantic Workshop

Sep 10 2024 - Sep 12 2024 All Day Event

Coastal Pioneer MAB Community Workshop

How to participate

OOI brings data to your doorstep, without ever having to go to sea.

Opportunities exist to customize OOI data by adding instruments or platforms to the existing infrastructure, proposing additional or modified sampling, participating in cruises, borrowing OOI equipment, or simply exploring real-time data to answer scientific questions. Explore the ways you can participate in the OOI.