See the unseen. Reveal the hidden world.
Plankton Base is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit turning polar voyages into open-source science. On participating expeditions, certified onboard facilitators guide you through collecting and viewing real plankton samples — so you become an active participant in polar science, not just a spectator. Ask your travel agent which operators partner with Plankton Base, and join a voyage that contributes directly to the monitoring record of our planet's fastest-changing oceans.
A universe blooms in every drop.
Beneath the ocean surface lies a thriving forest of plankton — the microscopic life that drives the marine food web, regulates climate, and generates over half the oxygen on Earth. Most travelers will never see it. You will.
You don't need a science background. Certified onboard facilitators guide every step — from pulling the sample to revealing the beautiful, intricate life forms hiding inside it. Your data contributes directly to open-source polar research.
From the microscopic to the majestic.
There is a whole world in a drop of water. The difference between a passive cruise and exclusive access to the hidden world underneath the ocean. By looking closely at the very base of the food web, you gain a clear, cause-and-effect understanding of polar ecosystems.
The discovery stays with you.
You'll receive post-season reporting, annual updates, and progress stories so you can see exactly how your participation became part of the open-source record of our planet's fastest-changing oceans.
Make sure your next voyage carries Plankton Base.
If you would like to ensure your voyage includes the option to participate in Plankton Base, ask your travel agent which operators partner with Plankton Base.