For all those fascinated by the colourful world beneath the sea , but who ca n't afford to visit the far reaches of the globe , London 's Natural History Museum is here to help . Beginning March 27 , and running through September 13 , underwater enthusiasts will be able to get up close and personal with some spectacular seascapes - without ever having to don a wetsuit . The exhibit , Coral Reefs : Secret Cities of the Sea , will feature a live coral reef , a 360-degree immersive virtual dive experience and specimens of over 200 types of coral , fish and fossils , some of which have never been seen before . Scroll down for video . Beginning March 27 , London 's Natural History Museum will open a new exhibit called Coral Reefs : Secret Cities of the Sea . Coral reefs are primarily found in the shallow waters of the tropics and are home to almost a quarter of all living species in the sea . But they offer many more benefits than simply being beautiful . The reefs also home to ample fishing , tourism and even storm protection opportunities , and are estimated to be worth more than £200 billion each year . Dr Ken Johnson , coral reef researcher at the Natural History Museum , said : 'Coral reefs are not simply beautiful environments . They provide food , income and storm protection for many millions of people around the world . ' The exhibition will feature a live coral reef and hundreds of specimens of animals and fossils . Best of all ? Guests will be able to experience a 360-degree immersive virtual dive in the museum 's gallery . 'The Museum has an exceptional collection of corals from ancient and modern reefs that we have been studying , to understand how these animals , and the diverse habitats they create , have responded to changes in the ocean , ' he continued . 'Climate change , pollution and overfishing have had a major effect . ' A quarter of coral reefs around the world are sadly damaged beyond repair and many more are still under serious threat . ' In partnership with Catlin Seaview Survey , stunning footage has been captured from around the world . Filmed with specially-designed cameras , the images have been stitched together for a panoramic experience . The 'Google Street View ' footage from the sea was filmed everywhere from Australia to Indonesia . Thankfully , new technology , like that used by Catlin Seaview Survey , a project that monitors coral reef health , provides scientists and sea lovers alike with more insight than ever . Think 'Google Street View ' but for the sea , the virtual dive footage will take over the Museum 's gallery space for its must-see debut , exploring different reefs around the world . From Australia 's famed Great Barrier Reef to the breathtaking Tubbataha Reef in the Philippines and Komodo Island National Park in Indonesia , the videos were captured by Catlin divers on specially-designed cameras that record images every three to six seconds . Stitched together , the images create a stunning panoramic view . Sound and light effects will also be used to further replicate the feeling of being underwater for visitors . Sound and light effects will also be used to really help guests feel fully immersed in the undersea views . The museum hopes that the breathtaking exhibit will leave guests feeling 'surprised , amazed and emotional ' Felicity Paynter , the curator of the exhibition , told the Sunday Telegraph that she hoped guests would leave feeling 'surprised , amazed and emotional . ' ' I had to think about what visitors might already know , what they do n't know and what questions we might be able to answer for them . 'On the one hand , there are lots of very cool , weird and wonderful creatures that live on coral reefs , but there are also some really difficult and abstract concepts . '
Coral reef exhibition will open at the Natural History Museum on March 27 . Guests will be able to view hundreds of never-before-seen specimens . Can also participate in a 360-degree immersive virtual dive experience . Panoramic footage has been captured from Philippines and the Australia .