The Tara Oceans Expedition (2009-2013) sampled the world oceans on board a 36 m long schooner, collecting environmental data and organisms from viruses to planktonic metazoans for later analyses using modern sequencing and state-of-the-art imaging technologies. Tara Oceans Data are particularly suited to study the genetic, morphological and functional diversity of plankton. The present data set provides methodological context about the sampling and on-board-preparation of samples during the Tara Oceans Expedition (2009-2013). For each sample, we provide details about the standard protocols (i.e. Sample Method) as well as deviations from these protocols (i.e. Sample Comment). We also provide URLs to related data, sampling logsheets, campaign summary reports, oceanographic reports, and step-by-step protocols.