Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System (PacIOOS)
PacIOOS is a non-profit regional ocean observing system within the U.S. IOOS network, hosted by the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa. It provides free, real-time coastal and ocean observation, forecast, and visualization services across the U.S. insular Pacific to the public, researchers, Indigenous nations, and government agencies.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersHonolulu, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System (PacIOOS) does
PacIOOS is a non-profit regional ocean observing system and one of 11 regional associations within the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS), hosted by the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa. The organization operates a distributed network of wave buoys (20+ sites), water quality buoys, nearshore sensors, and high-frequency radar across Hawai'i, American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau. Its core platform, PacIOOS Voyager, integrates these observations with outputs from numerical forecast models (ROMS, WaveWatch III, SWAN, WRF, GFS) to deliver free interactive maps, mobile tools, and standardized data access via ERDDAP for ocean recreation users, marine researchers, government and emergency management agencies, and Indigenous nations and coastal communities.
PacIOOS's product portfolio spans wave observations and forecasts, surface current observations and forecasts, shoreline impact products (wave run-up, six-day high sea level, harbor surge), water quality observations, sea level rise visualization viewers, and satellite-based wildlife tracking (tiger sharks, cetaceans). Recent additions include the Backyard Buoys project (NSF Convergence Accelerator funded), which deploys low-cost SOFAR Spotter buoys in partnership with Indigenous nations, AOOS, and NANOOS, plus new viewers for wave-driven flooding with sea level rise in American Samoa and Palau.
The business model is grant-funded and non-commercial. All data, tools, and services are provided free of charge to the public, with primary funding coming from NOAA under the IOOS framework and supplementary grants from NSF and partner organizations. There is no disclosed revenue, no paying customer base, and no pricing tiers — the user base consists of public beneficiaries rather than commercial clients.
Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System (PacIOOS) firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System (PacIOOS)
- Legal name
- Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System (PacIOOS)
- Website
- https://pacioos.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- PacIOOS is a non-profit regional ocean observing system within the U.S. IOOS network, hosted by the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa. It provides free, real-time coastal and ocean observation, forecast, and visualization services across the U.S. insular Pacific to the public, researchers, Indigenous nations, and government agencies.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System (PacIOOS) industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Ocean Observing and Environmental Monitoring
- akta.pro primary industry
- Marine Sensors, Instrumentation & IoT (Condition Monitoring) (IMAJAJAI)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Marine Safety, Alarm & Monitoring Systems (Fire/Gas, IAS, PA/GA) (IMAJAJAG)
Keywords
Where Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System (PacIOOS) is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Honolulu
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System (PacIOOS) business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Government Funding: PacIOOS is funded primarily through government grants, notably a NOAA Award (#NA21NOS0120091) as part of the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS). Additional funding comes from the NSF Convergence Accelerator for specific projects like Backyard Buoys.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free Public Access |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System (PacIOOS) product offering
Product offeringCore offering
PacIOOS is a regional ocean observing system that operates a distributed network of wave buoys, water-quality sensors, nearshore instruments, satellite wildlife tags, and numerical forecast models to deliver free, real-time and forecasted coastal and ocean information across the U.S. Pacific Islands. Its flagship offering is the PacIOOS Voyager web platform and mobile app, which aggregate observations, forecasts, and historical data layers into interactive maps that users can view, combine, save, and download. It also runs the Backyard Buoys community-deployment program for low-cost wave-monitoring buoys and produces shoreline-impact products such as six-day high sea-level forecasts, wave run-up forecasts, harbor-surge forecasts, and sea-level-rise inundation viewers.
Product overview
PacIOOS operates as a regional ocean observing system providing a comprehensive suite of ocean monitoring products and services across the Pacific Islands. The core platform consists of PacIOOS Voyager (interactive online mapping) and Voyager Mobile, which integrate data from multiple observation networks and forecast models. Supporting products include Backyard Buoys (community-deployed wave buoys), wave observations and forecasts, surface currents, shoreline impact forecasts (wave run-up, harbor surge, high sea level), water characteristics monitoring, weather observations/forecasts, wildlife tracking (sharks, cetaceans, sea turtles), and coral reef ecosystem studies. Data access is provided through ERDDAP. The system serves ocean users and stakeholders in the Pacific Islands region by providing coastal and ocean information that is easy to access and use.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Backyard Buoys: A partnership project that puts low-cost, community-run wave-monitoring buoys and an easy-to-use web platform into local hands. Funded through the NSF Convergence Accelerator and coordinated with U.S. IOOS regional associations.
- PacIOOS Voyager
Companies that use Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System (PacIOOS)
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System (PacIOOS) technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature7 records
Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System (PacIOOS) partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, strategic and minor.
- U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS)coreU.S. IOOS is the national coordinating body for ocean observing. PacIOOS is one of 11 regional associations in this network. IOOS provides federal funding and coordination for the regional observing system.
- Alaska Ocean Observing System (AOOS)majorIOOS regional association partner in the Backyard Buoys project, coordinating wave buoy deployments in Alaska.
- Northwest Association of Networked Ocean Observing Systems (NANOOS)majorIOOS regional association partner in the Backyard Buoys project, coordinating wave buoy deployments in the Pacific Northwest.
- SOFAR OceancoreProvider of SOFAR Spotter wave-monitoring buoys used in the Backyard Buoys project. SOFAR Ocean designs and manufactures the low-cost buoy technology deployed by community partners.
- Quileute NationstrategicIndigenous nation partner in the Backyard Buoys project in the Pacific Northwest region, contributing local knowledge and deploying wave monitoring buoys.
- Quinault Indian NationstrategicIndigenous nation partner in the Backyard Buoys project contributing local knowledge and deploying wave monitoring buoys in the Pacific Northwest.
- Marine and Environmental Research Institute (MICS)strategicPartner in the Backyard Buoys project for the Pacific Islands region, contributing to local ocean observing efforts.
- National Park Service American SamoastrategicPartner in the Backyard Buoys project providing support for ocean observing in American Samoa.
- University of Hawai'i Sea Grant (UHSG)strategicAcademic partner in the Backyard Buoys project providing research expertise and institutional support.
- Conservation International HawaiistrategicEnvironmental organization partner in the Backyard Buoys project contributing to Pacific Islands ocean conservation efforts.
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine BiologymajorResearch partner providing tiger shark tracking data and expertise on marine wildlife in Hawaiian waters.
- Cascadia Research CollectivemajorResearch organization providing cetacean (whale and dolphin) tracking data through satellite tags deployed near Kona, Hawai'i.
- NOAA OceanWatchmajorProvides satellite data including MODIS, Aquarius salinity, and ASCAT wind data through NOAA OceanWatch for integration into PacIOOS datasets.
- Weston SolutionsminorProject management partner for the Backyard Buoys project providing program management and consulting services.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System (PacIOOS) competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- SOFAR Ocean: Provider of the SOFAR Spotter wave buoys used in PacIOOS's Backyard Buoys program and a broader provider of ocean data products. Comparable as a marine sensor/data platform operator, though commercially focused where PacIOOS is non-profit.
- Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI): MBARI operates ocean observing technology (autonomous underwater vehicles, sensor platforms) and publishes oceanographic datasets. Comparable as a Pacific-region ocean technology and observing organization, though research-focused rather than operational forecasting.
Direct peers
- Southeast Coastal Ocean Observing Regional Association (SECOORA): IOOS regional association for the southeastern U.S. coast, operating the same buoy/sensor network model with NOAA funding. Direct peer in mission, funding mechanism, and product suite.
- Central and Northern California Ocean Observing System (CeNCOOS): IOOS regional association covering central and northern California. Comparable in providing coastal ocean observations, forecasts, and visualization tools under the same federal IOOS funding structure.
- NERACOOS (Northeastern Regional Association of Coastal and Ocean Observing Systems): IOOS regional association for the northeastern U.S. coast. Operates an identical buoy network, data portal, and federal funding model. A direct structural peer with the same operating mandate.
- Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System (GCOOS): IOOS regional association for the Gulf of Mexico, with a comparable buoy network, data portal, and NOAA-funded operating model. Directly comparable regional observing system.
- Northwest Association of Networked Ocean Observing Systems (NANOOS): Another of the 11 U.S. IOOS regional associations serving the Pacific Northwest, NANOOS operates the same regional observing model with NOAA funding and is a Backyard Buoys partner. Operationally and structurally identical to PacIOOS.
- Alaska Ocean Observing System (AOOS): One of the 11 U.S. IOOS regional associations, AOOS provides ocean and coastal observations for Alaska and is a direct partner with PacIOOS on the Backyard Buoys project. Identical structure, funding model, and mission make it the most directly comparable peer.
Broad incumbents
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI): One of the largest independent ocean research institutions, operating ocean observing platforms and producing oceanographic data. Comparable in marine observation and science mission, though broader and more research-oriented.
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography: Major academic oceanographic institution operating extensive observing networks (e.g., HF radar, Argo floats) and producing coastal/ocean data products. Comparable in scientific mission and Pacific-region observation activities, though much broader in scope than PacIOOS.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System (PacIOOS) social profiles
Digital presencePacific Islands Ocean Observing System (PacIOOS) financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System (PacIOOS) leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System (PacIOOS) funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System (PacIOOS) M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System (PacIOOS)
What does Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System (PacIOOS) do?
PacIOOS is a regional ocean observing system that operates a distributed network of wave buoys, water-quality sensors, nearshore instruments, satellite wildlife tags, and numerical forecast models to deliver free, real-time and forecasted coastal and ocean information across the U.S. Pacific Islands. Its flagship offering is the PacIOOS Voyager web platform and mobile app, which aggregate observations, forecasts, and historical data layers into interactive maps that users can view, combine, save, and download. It also runs the Backyard Buoys community-deployment program for low-cost wave-monitoring buoys and produces shoreline-impact products such as six-day high sea-level forecasts, wave run-up forecasts, harbor-surge forecasts, and sea-level-rise inundation viewers.
Is Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System (PacIOOS) a public or private company?
Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System (PacIOOS) is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System (PacIOOS) founded?
Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System (PacIOOS) was founded in 2010. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System (PacIOOS) based?
Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System (PacIOOS) is headquartered in Honolulu, United States, in the North America region.
How does Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System (PacIOOS) make money?
One revenue line is on record: government Funding.
Who are Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System (PacIOOS)'s main competitors?
Emerging players on record are SOFAR Ocean and Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI). Direct peers are Southeast Coastal Ocean Observing Regional Association (SECOORA), Central and Northern California Ocean Observing System (CeNCOOS), NERACOOS (Northeastern Regional Association of Coastal and Ocean Observing Systems), Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System (GCOOS), Northwest Association of Networked Ocean Observing Systems (NANOOS) and Alaska Ocean Observing System (AOOS). Broad incumbents are Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) and Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
Does Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System (PacIOOS) have an API?
No public API is recorded for Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System (PacIOOS).
What industry is Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System (PacIOOS) in?
Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System (PacIOOS)'s product category is Ocean Observing and Environmental Monitoring. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAJAJAI, Marine Sensors, Instrumentation & IoT (Condition Monitoring), with a secondary code of IMAJAJAG, Marine Safety, Alarm & Monitoring Systems (Fire/Gas, IAS, PA/GA).