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.
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 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
Lady Magellan
Durlindana
Wiki
Adriatica
Blob
Safiria
artemis-squqre
cannelle
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.
featured News
How Citizen Science can change wildlife conservation through eDNA monitoring
The Mediterranean monk seal, once widespread, is now critically endangered and mostly found in remote caves. A new study highlights how citizen science and eDNA monitoring—using the BioBlitz method—are helping conservationists track and protect this elusive species.
Polarquest joins the BioBlitz campaign to Spot the Mediterranean Monk Seal
Polarquest and its newly created Fleet4Science partners with the Environmental Science Department of Milano-Bicocca University to collect data for the BioBlitz campaign, created to monitor endangered monk seal populations through eDNA collection in the Mediterranean.
The Big Plastic Count: Join Polarquest to Monitor Plastic Pollution!
From March 31 to April 6, 2025, track your plastic use and help collect crucial data to combat pollution. Plastic waste is a global crisis—let’s take action together! Polarquest is participating to raise awareness about plastic’s impact, especially in polar regions.