At the National Geographic Encounter: Ocean Odyssey, advanced technology and modern science combine to take visitors on a digital dive beneath the ocean’s surface—without getting wet. This immersive attraction explores the marine environments of the South Pacific and the western coast of North America through lifelike, large-scale digital scenes designed to educate and inspire.
Created by a multidisciplinary team that includes Academy, Emmy and Grammy award-winning artists and visual effects specialists (some from the team behind the HBO series Game of Thrones), the experience presents life-sized renderings of marine creatures. Visitors encounter 20-foot sharks, battling Humboldt squids, and a 50-foot humpback whale, all rendered with striking realism and movement.
Marine biologist David Gruber, an expert in bioluminescent and biofluorescent marine organisms, contributed scientific insight to the project. Highlighted elements of the digital dive include an interactive floor that responds to movement, a nighttime coral reef showcasing glowing marine life, and a dramatic Bait Ball sequence that demonstrates predator-prey interactions in the ocean.
The attraction is located at 226 West 44th Street, between 7th and 8th Avenues in Times Square. It is open daily from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. Advance ticket purchase is recommended to secure entry, and private event space is available for groups and special occasions.
