The Ocean Tunnel: The Experience of A Lifetime
There are several well-known aquariums across the world that house marine animals in their natural habitats. They also serve as spaces of conservation for some rare species. Aquariums are a source of joy and entertainment for all and valuable knowledge and information about marine life and habitats for children.
VGP Marine Kingdom in Chennai is one such aquarium that started India’s first and largest walkthrough tunnel aquarium in 2019. Built along international standards, it spans an area of around 70,000 sq. ft. and is home to aquatic species large and small. The life-size tanks and overhead aquariums give you an unforgettable experience.
VGP Marine Kingdom has five huge aquariums reflecting five natural marine habitats – Rainforest, Gorge, Mangrove, Coast and Deep Ocean. The thrill of watching marine species in their own respective habitats is something unique.
During the lockdown due to the COVID 19 pandemic, with people not being able to visit the aquarium, VGP Marine Kingdom came up with the most innovative idea of taking the aquarium to their drawing rooms. Yes, the concept of “THROUGH THE MARINE KINGDOM” –WORLD’s FIRST VIRTUAL EDUTAINMENT AQUARIUM TOUR was born.
The virtual edutainment tour of the aquarium tour provides an in-depth experience of the aquarium to its patrons and lovers of marine life.
This tour goes beyond just a static image panorama or a video that simply moves around the premises without any valuable addition. You have a tour guide, Louise the bloody fish, taking you through and showing you the wonders of the underwater world.
From the comfort of your home you can witness life in the five aquatic zones and the 70 m under-water tunnel.
You can have a close-up view of all the fishes – alligator gar, chromide and cichlid in the rivers and lakes of rainforests; flower horn fish, gourami, rohu and silver shark in the narrow valleys of gorges; rabbit fish, mud crab, archer and puffer in the estuaries and marine shorelines of mangroves; banana wrasse, cleaner wrasse, red tail butterfly fish, blue tang, reefs and rocks of coasts; and lemon shark, giant travelly and black tip reef shark of the eerie deep oceans.
The virtual tour provides educative information regarding the habitats of fishes and their behaviour. You also have an interactive quiz during the course of the tour. There are multiple questions at the end of each zone to pique your curiosity and hold your interest. The tour lasts for about 45 minutes and you feel enriched at the end of it. The tour allows the whole family including children and senior citizens to enjoy the wonders of marine life at a very reasonable cost.
