Journal of Tropical Oceanography is a bimonthly, peer-reviewed comprehensive oceanographic journal sponsored by the South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Rooted in the South China Sea and adjacent tropical seas, the journal aims to publish high-quality research outputs and frontier reviews in tropical oceanography, promote interdisciplinary studies of tropical marine sciences, facilitate open scholarly communication among researchers worldwide, improve the discoverability and dissemination of tropical oceanographic knowledge, and support fundamental marine research and sustainable ocean development.

The journal welcomes contributions on oceanographic studies of the South China Sea and adjacent tropical waters, covering marine hydrology, marine meteorology, physical oceanography, marine chemistry, marine geology and geophysics, marine sedimentology, estuarine and coastal sciences, marine biology, marine pollution and control, and oceanographic instrumentation and technology. Acceptable manuscript types include Research Articles, Rapid Communications, Reviews, Progress Reviews, Frontier Perspectives, Commentaries, Forum Papers, Debates, News & Events, and Book Reviews. All submissions undergo peer double-blind review. We select manuscripts with scientific novelty, significant scientific value or disciplinary leadership potential.