CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE SEA KIND

Experience the motion and emotion of the ocean without gear or even getting wet as National Geographic Encounter presents Ocean Odyssey.  Featuring immersive walks through simulated environments from the South Pacific to the coast of California, you encounter up close marine life that include: humpback whales, giant squids, sharks, and coral reefs.  The process is done through photo-real animation, giant screens and interactive technology that are not just for kids.  

 

Purchase a timed ticket as the encounter is run by a tour guide as you go room to room, each using a different way of experiencing the marine life.  It begins with two tri-screens that give you an introduction followed by instructions from the tour guide. 

Enter the first room where you are standing at the bottom of the ocean looking at a huge screen. Your steps will produce a puddle but that’s all. You may want to step on the horseshoe crabs, but would you do that if you were in the ocean?  View the ocean through the video photography of someone else that did the swimming.  There is both a voice giving you description as well as the guide providing extra information. 

If you ever wanted to know about coral, you don’t need to go to a reef.  There are several screens in this room with both video and still photography.  Colors and types were amazing to the eyes.  If you actually touch coral, we are told that it will die.  You can however, feed it krill and they will open up. 

We also learn the importance of krill.  According to National Geographic, “The lowly krill averages only about two inches in length, but it represents a giant-sized link in the global food chain. These small, shrimp-like crustaceans are essentially the fuel that runs the engine of the Earth’s marine ecosystems.”
“Krill feed on phytoplankton, microscopic, single-celled plants that drift near the ocean’s surface and live off carbon dioxide and the sun’s rays. They in turn are the main staple in the diets of literally hundreds of different animals, from fish, to birds, to baleen whales. Simply put, many oceanic life forms depend on krill.”

If you’ve ever eaten calamari you may think twice upon what you dine on when you experience a movie devoted to giant squid and view a squid fight during an open ocean at night. 

Don a pair of 3-D glasses for another oceanic movie that takes place at a different ocean.  Therefore you will not see the same marine life as any of the other videos.  Remember, each of these large videos has both an audio accompaniment as well as the guide offering further information. 

One room provides a chance for total relaxation as you take a seat and close your eyes on this video that is meant to have you experience the sounds of the marine life. See if you can pick out the sea creatures by the sounds.  
 
You’ve probably never seen kelp like going into a “funhouse” mirrored maze that appears as an underwater “cathedral.”  Children will love it! Adults will have a good time, too.  Again, there is much information given to you prior to your entering.  

One of the final rooms has interactive sea lions.  You stand on a large round spot where you view one of them. They will do tricks as they respond to the movements of your hand. There are many of these displays and each of the sea lions is programmed to do certain tricks.  

As you ascend the ramps, take in information and photos of various sharks, dolphin and murres as well as learning about the life of schools of anchovies. You know, those little salty fish you put in salad or on top of pizza. Due to the small size of these fish, they gather in schools and form a circle to make them appear much larger to their predators.  In the meantime, you can also view the names and information about the photographers who have contributed to the Encounter.  

You have now left the guided portion of the experience where you are met with a photographer who will take a souvenir photo in front of a screen and if you want have it transferred to various backgrounds (For a cost, of course).
There is, however, another opportunity that is free of charge. You now enter a room that has some interactive displays which allows you to spend as much time as you wish.  There is a focus on cleaning up the ocean in this area. Take a pledge to do something that is environmentally healthy such as pledging not to use plastic that winds up in the ocean.  You will get your photo taken and be able to email it to yourself.  In addition, there is a wall that displays your photo and what you pledged.  

Give your feedback on your experience on a piece of a puzzle. Play with holograms.  Your final room is a gallery that has a display of photos and photographers.  

Yes, there is a gift shop. All is meant to bring science to life. It is an experience you may never have “sean” before. 

 
National Geographic Encounter: Ocean Odyssey is located at 226 W. 44^th  Street.  Tickets are at various prices depending upon if you want a one-day visit, VIP access or family package of 4. The guided portion of the tour takes about an hour.  Tel: 646-308-1337.  Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 10:00am-9:00pm; Friday & Saturday, 10:00am-10:00pm

Fridays after 4pm on January 11th, 18th and 25^th, Sundays after 4pm on January 6th, 13th and 27^th, warm up your weekend at Encounter and enjoy Sip n’ Sea – a complimentary glass of wine or non-alcoholic beverage after your adventure across the Pacific. Valid for every admission on the noted Fridays and Sundays after 4PM. No code required. Blackout dates may apply and hours subject to change.