Get ready to take the plunge with a series of shared interactive experiences that will take you beneath the surfaces of the ocean to reveal the secrets to our survival on land.
Far beyond the shore, there is a hidden kingdom full of mystery and wonder – crucial to our very existence, yet under extreme threat from changes to our climate and undeniable human impact.
Come with us on an impossible journey to witness the ocean from an entirely new perspective as we shrink you down to the size of micro-plankton, show you the world as echolocation, and immerse you in bioluminescence!
DROP IN THE OCEAN (Bocs)
Ride a jellyfish. Meet a leatherback turtle. Come face-to-face with a whale shark. From the perspective of a tiny plankton, you’ll explore the ocean in stunning virtual reality – and see why the need to protect it is so urgent.
Drop in the Ocean is an interactive, social virtual-reality experience that takes you down to the marine depths of the Midnight Zone – and directly into the plastic pollution crisis plaguing the world’s oceans.
Narrated by Philippe and Ashlan Cousteau and created by Vision3 in partnership with Conservation International. Inspired by the work of Academy Award-winning micro-photographer Peter Parks.
CRITICAL DISTANCE (Bocs)
Critical Distance is a shared immersive experience which uses groundbreaking mixed reality (MR) to bring audiences into the world of Southern Resident orcas in North America’s Pacific Northwest.
Seen through the eyes of Kiki – an eight-year-old orca who carries the expectations and future of her pod on her shoulders. Experience how Kiki communicates with her family through echolocation, and together face the daily perils threatening her famous ‘J-Pod’.
Critical Distance ends with hope, equipping audiences with a mission to help protect Kiki, her family, and her home in the sea.
Narrated by Jamie Margolin and created by Vision3 in partnership with Microsoft, featuring sound design by Aaron Day.
INTERACTIVE OCEANS (throughout Wales Millennium Centre)
Embark on a digital scavenger hunt and use your mobile devices to reveal some of the world’s most remarkable marine creatures – too tiny for the human eye to see! Explore our interactive projection screen to discover the magic of bioluminescence and use your whole body to make some waves.
Opening times:
Sun – Mon 11am – 4pm
Tue – Sat 11am – 6pm
Running time: 40 minutes
Age guidance: 10+
VR is not recommended for under 10s. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over.
What is a Virtual Reality experience?
Virtual Reality (VR) is the use of computer technology to create a simulated world. Guests wear a headset with integrated over the ear headphones.
Do I need to book?
This is a free walk-in experience, no need to book.
Do I need to bring anything?
Spectacles may be worn under the VR headset however it may be more comfortable to wear contact lenses or go without your glasses for the experience.
What are the health and safety measures?
Most people do not experience any negative reactions to Virtual Reality. However, VR may be disorientating for individuals who are neurodiverse, have hearing or sight impairments, or experience vertigo, epilepsy, dizziness, seizures, motion sickness or fainting.
If you are pregnant or have a pacemaker, please consult with your GP before taking part.
Trained facilitators will be on hand to provide support and guidance throughout the experience should you require it.
We thoroughly clean and sanitise all equipment, including headsets and headphones, with hospital-grade antibacterial wipes and a UV machine before each use. We request that you use the hand sanitiser provided on arrival.
Under 16s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. VR is not recommended for under 10s.
Babies in slings are not permitted inside the experience.
Any guests arriving for the experience who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs will not be permitted to take part.
