Google Street View, Now With More Coral Reefs

Because how useful is is a map that doesn't include some explorable underwater reefs (still pretty useful truthfully), Google has begun adding underwater shots to Google Maps, starting with the Great Barrier Reef (links to actual map). I clicked around for awhile hoping to spot a mermaid, but with no luck. I did find this sea turtle though. He might not be as sexy as a mermaid, but that's only because you and I aren't sea turtles. Hell, I'd probably have fallen in love with him if I was a frog.

The survey will take up to 50,000 360-degree panoramic images that will be added to Google Maps, focusing on areas in the Great Barrier Reef and locations in the Philippines and Hawaii. Check out some sample imagery in our gallery.

"Now, anyone can become the next virtual Jacques Cousteau and dive with sea turtles, fish and manta rays in Australia, the Philippines and Hawaii," Brian McClendon, vice president of Google Maps and Earth and a self-described snorkeling enthusiast, wrote on the Google blog.

Hey, look at me, I'm the next virtual Jacques Cousteau...clicking around on my computer like the world's least intrepid underwater adventurer. Still, at least there aren't any sharks. Man, this reminds me of when I used to click around in Google Maps pretending I was a UPS driver. SAD TIMES, BROBRO.

Thanks to Stevie and greggula, who don't like any nature exploring that isn't voiced-over by David Attenborough.

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