Higher than normal tides are expected March 19-23 for the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Alaska, Hawaii, and the Pacific Islands. Visit our high tide bulletin for exact dates and to learn why tides will be higher than normal in these regions.

Reaching New Heights

An ambitious project to survey the nation's gravity field will soon allow us to calculate heights with much greater accuracy.

Mapping out hurricane evacuation routes and floodplains are just two cases in which it is critical to know accurate land heights. That's because heights tell us which way water will flow. How we calculate heights today based on mean sea level is complicated, expensive, and time-consuming. Experts at the National Geodetic Survey are working to make it better, faster, and cheaper.

Learn More

tides and currents

nautical charts

NOS 2018 Annual Report

mobile sites/apps

our ocean economy

ecological forecasts

A variety of sponges dot the seascape of Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. From round to encrusting to branching, the colors and textures of sponges add to the complexity of the reef. Credit: NOAA, G.P. Schmahl

What is a Sponge?

Sponges are animals with dense skeletons that are often mistaken for plants, and appear in a wide variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. Scientists believe that the colors of the sponge may act as a protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays.

ocean life

People and Pollution

This month, NOAA's Office of Response and Restoration explores some of the ways marine pollution affects people, including the mental and physical health effects of oil spills and marine debris, the cultural impact historic industrial pollution has had on tribes in the Great Lakes, and more.

marine pollution

a satellite view of an atmospheric river

What are Atmospheric Rivers?

Atmospheric rivers are narrow regions in the atmosphere that transport much of the moisture from the tropics to northern latitudes. Atmospheric rivers are part of the Earth's ocean water cycle, and are tied closely to both water supply and flood risks.

ocean and weather

High Tide Bulletin

There are some factors that cause the tides to be higher than what is "normally" seen from day to day. View our bulletin to see when you may experience higher than normal high tides for the period of time between March and May, 2019.

tides and currents

Invasive Lionfish

In our latest podcast episode, a NOAA ecologist discusses how invasive lionfish have become established across the Southeast U.S. and Caribbean. How did the fish get to the Atlantic? While the exact cause is unknown, it's likely that humans provided a helping hand.

NOAA Ocean Podcast

acting NOS assistant administrator Nicole LeBouef

Women's History Month

Join us as we celebrate commemorate the invaluable role of women in American history throughout the month of March.

— Nicole R. LeBoeuf, Assistant Administrator (Acting), National Ocean Service

AA Spotlight

What is a tide pool?

Tide pools are filled with seawater that gets trapped as the tide recedes. While these small basins at the ocean’s edge typically range from mere inches to a few feet deep and a few feet across, they are packed with sturdy sea life.

ocean life

Precision Navigation

See how "precision navigation" combines private sector innovation and NOAA data streams to support the complex decisions mariners must make as they navigate ever-larger ships through U.S. ports.

marine navigation

a recreational diver and a fishing boat in the background

Sustainable Fishing and Boating

NOAA has announced a formal partnership with leading industry and resource management groups to strengthen collaboration promoting sustainable, long-term recreational fishing and boating opportunities in federal waters, including national marine sanctuaries.

sanctuaries

Biogeography in Action

Marine biogeography is the study of marine species, the geographic distribution of their habitats, and the relationships between living organisms and the environment. Watch our video to learn how and why we map the seafloor — a key component of marine biogeography.

ocean observations

Meet Hideyo Hattori, Site Liaison, NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) and NOAA Coastal Zone Management Program (CZMP)

Fa’a Samoa: The Samoan Way

In our two-part podcast interview about American Samoa with NOAA's Hideyo Hattori, learn how people are working to conserve the bountiful corals that surround the islands of this remote archipelago.

noaa ocean podcast