Happy World Ocean Day! 🌊💙 🪼

For decades, MBARI's underwater robots have explored the ocean’s pelagic realm—one of Earth’s largest, but least-understood, living spaces—revealing the astonishing diversity of animals that live there. Every expedition uncovers new insights about the biodiversity, food webs, and processes that sustain life in the ocean.

As human activities and climate change continue to reshape marine environments, long-term exploration and observation are more important than ever. This #WorldOceanDay, we celebrate the scientists, engineers, communicators, and operations crew working together to advance ocean knowledge and the discoveries that help inform the future of our blue planet.

On World Ocean Day.

“What we enjoyed most on Awashima Island was the chance to spend time along the shore and discover the ocean. We learnt to dive there, and were amazed by the strange and beautiful creatures we encountered. Most of them we had never seen before. But even here, so far from home, we recognized some of the creatures. This was both surprising and comforting, and it got us thinking—aren’t all living things related in some way? It’s water that connects marine life in Awashima to the freshwater life in Ganjad. Around the world we use different languages and give different names to seas and oceans, but they’re all related. Most rivers flow into the sea, and common currents connect nature and people to each other.” – from The deep, for the text Arun Wolf and Gita Wolf from an oral narrative by Mayur Vayeda and Tushar Vayeda.)

The Vayeda brothers tell their journey from an indigenous Warli community in Maharashtra, western India, growing up in the village of Ganja, to a small Japanese island called Awashima. They connect the village stream they knew from their childhood to the deep oceans they encountered in Awashima.

The ocean always seemed endless.

Standing on the shore, it was easy to focus on what was directly ahead.

The waves.

The wind.

The water stretching toward the horizon.

But Brock had always been more interested in what existed beyond it.

World Ocean Day served as a reminder that much of the planet remained unexplored. Vast stretches of water connected continents, cultures, and countless discoveries waiting to be made. Every great explorer eventually faced the same decision.

Stay where it was comfortable.

Or venture into the unknown.

As the sun rose over the harbor, the Golden Bros prepared their vessel for a day of exploration. Supplies were checked. Equipment was secured. Routes were reviewed one final time before departure.

The destination mattered.

But the journey mattered more.

Soon the shoreline began to fade behind them.

The familiar world grew smaller while the open sea stretched endlessly in every direction.

For some, that uncertainty would have been intimidating.

For Brock, it was inspiring.

Every wave carried the possibility of discovery.

Every mile traveled revealed something new.

The ocean had a way of reminding people how much larger the world truly was.

It encouraged curiosity.

Patience.

Respect.

And the courage to keep moving forward even when the destination wasn't fully visible yet.

As the Golden Bros sailed deeper into the blue horizon, conversation shifted from where they had been to where they hoped to go next.

That was the true spirit of exploration.

Not simply finding new places.

But remaining willing to discover them.

The horizon would always remain just out of reach.

And that was exactly what made the journey worthwhile.

Stay curious.

Stay adventurous.

Stay Gold.

Our oceans are the lungs of the Earth – giving us life, beauty, and balance.

Let’s come together to protect, preserve, and restore them.

Just in time for World Ocean Day, we are unveiling the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary commemorative poster!

Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is located along 276 miles of California's coast, stretching from seven miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge south to Cambria. The 6,094 square miles of sanctuary waters contain extensive kelp forests, underwater canyons, and an underwater mountain teeming with life Davidson Seamount. Known as the "Serengeti of the Sea," the sanctuary harbors incredible marine life, diverse habitats, and offer spectacular opportunities for diving, fishing, whale watching, and more. The sanctuary's seafloor contains a living museum with significant archaeological, historical, and cultural resources.

Take a look for yourself and download the poster today: