Oceanogràfic de València Launches Mixed-Reality Experience

(eap) The Oceanogràfic aquarium in Valencia (Spain) has launched a mixed-reality experience in its auditorium: The “Inmersión” programme enables visitors to perceive the real environment while simultaneously embarking on a virtual journey through various marine ecosystems.

In the Oceanogràfic’s auditorium, which is dedicated to the Red Sea and connected to an aquarium, guests can now discover the world of marine life in new ways. Seated in the auditorium’s rows, they put on a VR headset (model: “Meta Quest 3”) that allows them to perceive both the real surroundings and virtually superimposed content. 65 headsets are available in total.

The experience begins with a symbolic break of the aquarium, causing the entire space to fill with water. A digital moderator and the fish “Napoleon” accompany the audience on a journey that starts in the Red Sea. Colourful coral reefs take centre stage – reefs that are increasingly threatened by climate change. The journey continues into the Caribbean, where blue and humpback whales appear to swim overhead in their natural size only a few metres above the guests… The tour eventually leads into the polar regions and lets visitors dive into icy depths. The focus lies on the diversity of life underwater as well as on the challenges related to its protection. The offer aims to convey knowledge about ecological interrelationships and raise awareness for conservation measures.

A total of six different marine ecosystems were developed for the new auditorium experience by technology provider Spatial Voyagers in collaboration with the aquarium’s biologists and experts. All virtually projected marine creatures are said to be displayed in their true-to-life size. “The challenge of this project was to create an immersive narrative – both real and virtual – that takes advantage of the auditorium’s large scale. To do this, we created various aquatic ecosystems that appear on the auditorium’s stage and host different species that visitors can almost touch. For example, for the first time we can see whales in full scale swimming just a few metres above the seating rows, or travel to the depths of the North Pole without feeling cold,” explains Edgar Martín-Blas, CEO of Spatial Voyagers. The company has already implemented numerous mixed reality applications – most recently in PortAventura, where visitors can now embark on a mixed reality expedition through Mexican cenotes and encounter prehistoric creatures (see EAP news of 19 Nov 2025).

Marta Calabuig, who co-directs Oceanogràfic, one of Europe’s largest public aquariums, hopes that the technology-based offer will attract new visitor groups: “With ‘Inmersión’, we want to surprise the audience. Guests should truly experience the journey we present and immerse themselves in the environments. This new offer expands the wide range of opportunities we provide to learn more about marine habitats. At the same time, it opens a door to reach new target groups, evoke emotions and make the oceans tangible.” ■