National Geographic’s Encounter: Ocean Odyssey — an immersive, interactive experience to bring the magic of the ocean topside — has materialized in New York City’s Times Square.

The exhibit incorporates digital technology, 3D imagery and a slew of special effects to evoke an underwater journey from the South Pacific to the North American West Coast — without getting wet. Visitors to the attraction visit rooms that have different habitats like coral reefs, giant kelp forests and tide pools, as well as spaces to have encounters with oceanic predators like squid, sharks and whales.

While National Geographic says “walking through the interactive encounter is in many ways better than the real thing,” the jury is still out on whether the experience’s pseudo-diving really rivals getting wet yourself. Online reviews have been mixed, with some loving the experience but many criticising bang for your buck (tickets will set you back $39.50 per adult; $32.50 per child).

Marine biologist David Gruber, who was chief science adviser for Ocean Odyssey, told the Orlando Sentinel that the exhibit is unprecedented for its kind and scientifically sound.

“The experience harvests the current human understanding of our oceans and its multitude of sea life and packs the information together into an extraordinary virtual experience,” Gruber said.