Views from our expedition circumnavigating Svalbard
Record Latitute Microplastic Sampling
Nautical miles of Arctic Ocean Explored
MISSION
We are an international network of researchers, communicators, and explorers committed to advancing research, education, and sustainability on the Earth’s oceans. With our low-impact, low-cost research expeditions on sailboats, we do groundbreaking research on topics ranging from microplastic pollution to environmental DNA.
We have reached the remotest corners of the planet, from the edge of the North Pole to Antarctica, but our mission goes beyond discovery.
Our specialty is connecting scientists with passionate and engaged sailors worldwide and effectively communicating about these collaborations to raise awareness at all levels.
featured News
Invitación – 29 Abril: Mesa redonda Proyecto Orcas
La Asociación Polarquest.org en colaboración con la asociación gallega ARSCIENCIA organiza dentro del PROYECTO ORCAS, una mesa redonda que tendrá lugar el 29 de abril a las 12:00 h en el Museo do Mar de Sorrizo, en Arteixo, Galicia, sobre el tema de las orcas ibéricas
Event Invitation, 29 April: Proyecto Orcas Round Table
Join a round table on Iberian Orcas interactions with sailing vessels – to be live streamed on 29 April 2026 or in person at the Museo do Mar de Sorrizo.
Iberian Orcas Project: Mare Plasticum – From the Arctic to Galicia
Polarquest and Arssciencia launch the Iberian Orcas Project.
What we offer
unique blend of research, engagement and communication
A FLEET FOR SCIENCE
Low-cost scientific expeditions on board lightweight low-impact sailboats across all oceans
citizen science
Bringing together scientists and volunteers to amplify the impact of scientific findings
Science Communication
Sharing science with the public and building lasting bridges between science and society
events
Connecting people with the oceans to promote sustainability, adaptation, and innovation
Our Fleet
ONE OCEAN, ONE FLEET: THE POWER OF LIGHTWEIGHT, SUSTAINABLE SAILING
Science on board
“The Science we need for the Ocean we want” is the motto of the Unesco Ocean Decade Initiative, highlighting science’s crucial role in preserving our oceans. Oceans cover 71% of our planet’s surface and hold 97% of its water. Home to over one million (known) species, oceans are essential to life on Earth, regulate our climate and weather, and protect us from global warming.
By contributing to science and engaging the youth and the public in the research process, we want to amplify the impact of scientific findings while promoting sustainability, collaboration, and innovation.
Our scientific programme includes sampling plastic and microplastic in the sea, drone mapping of plastic pollution along the coasts, satellite ground-truthing, eDNA sampling, drone mapping of uncharted land territories, cosmic ray measurements, and marine archeology.

