Ever wanted to dive in breathtaking locales like Bermuda, Hawaii or the Galapagos Islands?

Street View in Google Maps features an Oceans section that makes it possible to see panoramic views of stunning underwater hotspots as well as famous shipwrecks from your computer or mobile device.

Google recently added several new locations to its collection, according to TechCrunch. You can now explore crystal clear, 360-degree views around Monaco, Cancun and Isla Mujeres from the comfort of your home.

Other new additions in Street View’s Oceans include the Santa Rosa Wall off Cozumel, Sian Ka’an (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and an impressive shot of whale sharks at Isla Contoy off Mexico.

Who Is Gathering Those Panoramic Photos?

To gather the eye-catching images needed for this project, Google partnered with Catlin Seaview Survey, a group dedicated to recording the condition of the world’s coral reefs in high-resolution, panoramic shots. Catlin Seaview Survey started capturing these visual records back in September 2012 with the Great Barrier Reef and makes their data available to the public in the Catlin Global Reef Record.

To take these pictures, divers use special underwater cameras and take between 3,000 and 4,000 images per dive on their expeditions, TechCrunch explained. Each day, the diving team made three dives that lasted about an hour each while working on this project. Google hopes to increase the number of underwater Street View images available over the next few years.

Consider a Career in Commercial Diving

Ever considered a career in commercial diving? The Divers Institute of Technology can help you prepare for a globally marketable career in commercial diving or underwater welding in just seven months! For more information about commercial diving programs call us at 800-634-8377 or contact us online.