Marine science weblinks

These fun and informative websites help you to learn about marine science.

• 29 April 2009 | Updated 14 October 2011

If you are fascinated by sea creatures or crazy about giant squid you'll have a whale of a time checking out these marine science websites.

Some sites have great information to help with homework or school projects; others have games and other interactive content.

Let us know if you have any other favourites that aren't on this list.

Seals for the Reef [external link]
What do Antartica's southern elephant seals have to do with the Great Barrier Reef? Find out at ‘Seals For The Reef’ with loads of climate change information from CSIRO, the University of Tasmania, the Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems Cooperative Research Centre and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.

Marine Parks WA [external link]
Marine Parks WA has put together fun and colourful fact files on a range of interesting marine animals, including cuttlefish. Become a marine park protector, or suss out all the secrets of marine parks.

Jean-Michel Cousteau's ocean adventures [external link]
A generation ago, the legendary marine explorer Jacques Cousteau took us into the mysterious depths of our oceans. Jean-Michel Cousteau, Jacques' son, is following in his father's mythical footsteps by exploring some of the most perilous and spectacular locations in the world, in an effort to educate people about the dangers facing marine life today. Check out the website to learn more about this adventure, browse the diaries from the exciting expeditions, learn about unique animal species, play games and much more.

AQWA - The Aquarium of Western Australia [external link]
Western Australia’s coastline is 12 000 km long, so there are plenty of interesting marine worlds to explore at AQWA.

The Australian Museum Fish Site [external link]
Become an ichthyologist at home with the help of this site from the Australian Museum. Find a fish, identify it and then dissect it online!

The BBC's Blue Planet [external link]
The BBC's Blue Planet website is a fantastic collection of webpages based on the documentary of the same name. Your first stop should be at the games section, where you can take part in various aquatic adventures.

CSIRO Aquatic Ecology
CSIRO contributes to healthy aquatic ecosystems by understanding and predicting ecological responses to changes in Australia’s unusual water conditions and habitats.

CSIRO Oceans
Australia’s marine jurisdiction is one of the largest in the world and CSIRO’s ocean research is providing valuable information to understand and sustainably manage our oceans.

Melbourne Aquarium [external link]
Find out about visiting the Melbourne Aquarium (did you know they have a giant squid?) or play some games online if you can’t get there in person.

Native Fish Australia [external link]
This site offers detailed information about Australian freshwater and estuarine fish, including how to cook them!

Oceans Alive [external link]
This site offers a collection of activities, resources and events that were put together during the International Year of the Ocean (1998). Although it’s a bit old, it still has some useful information.

SCOPE – marine mammals
Did you know that a dugong's closest relative is the elephant? Or that dolphins sleep with one eye open? Join Dr Rob from TV’s SCOPE as he discovers the incredible world of marine mammals. This site includes video clips, activities and resources.

SCOPE – Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef spans an area the size of 70 million football fields - it's bigger than New Zealand! Dr Rob from TV’s SCOPE discovers where it came from, what it’s made of and who lives there. The website includes video clips, activities and resources.

SCOPE – turtles
Most people go to a beautiful tropical island to chill out. But not Dr Rob from TV’s SCOPE - he goes in search of science. Join Dr Rob as he bursts out of his shell, throws on some scuba gear and dives into the science behind one of the ocean’s most magnificent creatures - the turtle! The site includes video clips, activities and resources.

Seagrass Adventures [external link]
Seagrasses are the main source of food for endangered Australian animals such as dugongs and green turtles. They are also the home of very small animals, such as prawns and fish. Seagrass is protected, so you aren’t allowed to collect it, but you can go on a virtual seagrass adventure at this site. Learn all about the importance of seagrass through games, environmental challenges and an A-Z glossary. This site was developed by students from Bentley Park College in collaboration with scientists from the Department of Primary industries & Fisheries in Cairns. It is hosted on the CRC Reef website.

Sydney Aquarium [external link]
The Sydney Aquarium site has online games, virtual pets and lots of information about all sorts of fishy things. Note: you need to register to access some of the interactive elements.

WhaleNet [external link]
Meet Bruiser the loggerhead turtle, Ringy the ringed seal and other real live marine animals and follow their travels across the oceans using satellite tracking. Then discover all sorts of information about whales and their habitats on this US site.

Whale Times [external link]
Did you know that the belly of a cookiecutter shark glows in the dark, or that the skin of a walrus can be up to 15 centimetres thick? Dive in to Whale Times to get more fast facts, test your knowledge with the Whale Puzzler or read whale stories from around the world.

For more fun and educational science, join CSIRO's Double Helix Science Club.