NEW FOR 2026: IMMERSIVE ADVENTURE

Between dreams & virtual reality

An extraordinary new phygital adventure, integrated into the Aquarium tour! New technologies and special effects invite you to play with dolphins and sperm whales in virtual reality, and to marvel at mermaids, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Maya priests enhanced by AI, all centered around a powerful message of protecting biodiversity and our water resources.

.fr

AT GREAT DEPTHS

Yes, the earth is alive!

At great depths, -3000m down near the Mid-Ocean Ridge, the ocean floor is subject to titanic forces; the earth's crust is compressed and broken, and molten lava gushes out, solidifying instantly. Will you brave the challenge of crossing this extraordinary environment?

Agility, speed, balance—that's all you need to make it out! Observe the ocean's hydrothermal vents discharging dark water at 400°c. Around them, "black smoker" crabs roam and react as you approach!

A THOUSAND PLACES UNDER THE SEA

The hostile world of the abyss

Kilometers beneath the surface, the deep sea harbors an unexpected wealth of biodiversity. How do creatures escape predators in this hostile world, attract prey, or blend into the background? In these fascinating depths, the answer unfolds as a spectacle both surprising and spellbinding: bioluminescence.

This living light is used by many species to survive in this harsh environment. Behind this magic often lies a remarkable collaboration with specific bacteria, hosted by their underwater companions. What if, just for a moment, you became part of the show too? By standing in the right spot, marine plankton will detect your silhouette and magically reveal your every move in an enchanting display of light. The ocean seems to come alive before your eyes. Who is hiding behind these flashes of light emerging from the darkness? Then, the amazing inhabitants of the deep appear right beside you: lanternfish and viperfish, forming a true abyss bestiary.

THE MOST MAGICAL OF EXPERIENCES

Natica & the legend of the mermaids

Let yourself be enveloped by the dreamlike song and gentleness of an unexpected haven of peace. At the bottom of the abyss, a screen lights up: Natica the mermaid emerges in the water, right before you. Are you ready for this magical interactive encounter? So, dream or reality?

Yes, at Oniria, mermaids exist! Meet one of them: NATICA, the most enchanting and mischievous! Share a moment full of poetry and emotion with this magnificent creature with a fish tail. The once unreachable depths are her refuge. With great grace and a touch of humor, our mermaid, fascinated by the living world around her, observes it with candor and affection. Protecting this marine world means protecting her own.

VIRTUAL SUBMERSION ON A GIANT SCREEN

The impressive Azores sperm whale

In the heart of the Azores, at our call, a massive shape appears. It's a gigantic sperm whale! Impressive at 20m and over 40 tonnes, almost unreal yet right before us, it hunts at the incredible depth of 2250 m.

The sperm whale is hunting for its meal, its favorite dish: fresh and, if possible, giant squid. Commotion in the deep sea as numerous squid try to escape and head for the surface. The magic continues with this giant virtual aquarium, as sperm whales and schools of fish react instantly to our movements, following them with grace and synergy. Local wildlife is well represented, with schools of sardines, mackerel, tuna, and rays in a ballet of real-time interactions.

AS MYTHICAL AS IT IS MYSTERIOUS

Rendez vous at the Bermuda Triangle

In the heart of the vast Atlantic Ocean, we set off to discover a place as fascinating as it is legendary: the Bermuda Triangle. A mythical zone spanning over 1.5 million square kilometers, fueling iconic stories in our collective imagination for decades.

The Bermuda Triangle has always intrigued and inspired dreams, with its unexplained phenomena, worrying disappearances, gigantic sea monsters, or even alleged alien abduction zones... But what is the reality? Under the tail and wing of a mysteriously vanished airplane, a captivating experience awaits you. Do you know all the secrets of the Bermuda Triangle? Test your knowledge with an interactive quiz. Each correct answer lights your path, dispels mysteries, and opens the way to continue this extraordinary journey beneath the sea.

AN UNFORGETTABLE ENCOUNTER

With our best friend, the dolphin

In the heart of Bermuda's crystal-clear waters, an exceptional encounter awaits you. Get ready for a unique moment of connection with one of the ocean's most iconic species: the dolphin.

In this fun and interactive space, Bermuda dolphins come to meet you and invite you to play with them. It's up to you to choose the tricks they perform, and marvel at their incredible agility, grace, and intelligence! If dolphins are often considered man's best friend, it's because they are, like us, warm-blooded mammals: they breathe air through lungs, give birth to live young, and nurse them. A fascinating connection that makes them closer to us than it seems. This time of play and connection marks an important step in our adventure: we are beginning to move closer to the surface.

see all

In the heart of Bermuda's crystal-clear waters, an exceptional encounter awaits you. Get ready for a unique moment of connection with one of the ocean's most iconic species: the dolphin.

see all

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN, BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL

Blackbeard VS Cap’tain Jack

Just off Tortuga Island, between Puerto Rico and Haiti, explore the wreck of a lost ship and dive into the heart of the Caribbean's most famous pirate haunt. Some of the greatest pirates still haunt these history-steeped places. This is the case for Blackbeard and Cap’tain Jack, at Oniria.

By entering this wreck, the past comes alive. In the heart of a submerged period setting, the ghosts of these fearsome sailors materialize to reveal their most incredible adventures. But do you really know the true face of piracy? Some privateers, fearsome and sometimes a bit frightening, were not known for their gentleness. Other buccaneers claimed loyalty to their crew and values. During a spectacular showdown between these two visions of Good and Evil, Blackbeard and Cap’tain Jack tell us about and share the key moments of their incredible existence.

WATER & THE SECRETS OF THE MAYA UNDERWORLD

The embodied spirit of the priest Pixan

After passing Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, we head for the Yucatan, cradle of the Maya civilization and the best-kept secret of this sacred land.

Did you know that the famous cenotes, those limestone cavities filled with fresh water, were considered by the Maya to be the gateways to the underworld, connecting the world of the living with that of the dead? At the bottom of the Dos Oros cenote, Pixan, the spirit of a Maya priest, appears and invokes Chaac, the god of rain and thunder, to stop the extreme drought destroying the cornfields. An opportunity to hear and ponder his eternal message: "Water is the greatest of treasures to be preserved; it is worth more than gold!".

After passing Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, we head for the Yucatan, cradle of the Maya civilization and the best-kept secret of this sacred land.

Ready for adventure?

A giant virtual aquarium where protected species interact with you in real time.
It is no longer just a visit; it is a total two-hour immersion.

Book Now

F.A.Q.

Everything about Oniria's Immersive Adventure

Canet-en-Roussillon aquarium?

The Immersive Adventure is the new attraction at the Canet-en-Roussillon aquarium, launched for its fifth anniversary. Designed as a true phygital experience, this highly modern extension seamlessly integrates into the main tour to plunge you into the mysterious deep sea through 8 brand-new scenes. This unique concept, bridging the gap between aquarium and theme park, uses cutting-edge immersive technologies to make marine biodiversity alive and captivating. Beyond the show, the experience delivers a profound, universal environmental message, reminding us through an emotional journey that water is our most precious asset and the greatest treasure to preserve.

How long does the full visit last?

You should now allow two hours for the full visit to fully experience the entire Oniria adventure. This new phygital room adds an extra 20 minutes to the tour, covering a total path of nearly 400 linear meters to explore, from the highest peaks of our Catalan region to the deepest abysses.

Is the Immersive Adventure just for kids?

Not just for the little ones! This new extension was designed to captivate audiences of all ages, from toddlers to teens and adults. By completing and extending the original tour, it gives visitors of all sizes new reasons to marvel through a dual-layered experience. Children wonder at the magic of the sets and characters, while teens and adults enjoy knowledge and thrills through scientific challenges and puzzles. It is an immersive experience that unites all generations around the mysteries of the ocean.

Can you see real live animals in this new interactive experience room?

No, this new additional path was specifically designed without any live species or traditional aquariums. It is an entirely virtual and phygital space. However, it perfectly complements the overall Oniria tour and its live collection of over 660 species and exceptionally beautiful corals. This immersive technology allows visitors to observe and interact with iconic, protected marine species that are impossible to see in a traditional aquarium, like the 20-meter Azores sperm whale or our dolphin friends.

How do the 3D technology and artificial intelligence work in this unique interactive attraction in Occitanie?

This attraction is a clever blend of technologies designed to engage all your senses and heighten your sense of presence. The immersion relies on 3D scenography, virtual projections, animated floors, video walls, and haptic simulations. The setup also deploys holograms, motion sensors, and 360° video mapping in virtual reality. Additionally, artificial intelligence works hand in hand with collective intelligence to blur the lines between dream and reality, adapting digital projections in real time based on audience movements to create interactive synchronization.

Can this immersive experience be enjoyed in a group or as a family?

Absolutely! The attraction is entirely designed to encourage sharing and teamwork. Whether you come with friends, as a couple, or with family, the interactive scenes are activated and enhanced by everyone: each interaction changes the behavior of fish schools or the overall visual environment, making every visit a unique collaborative artwork. This is the very essence of this unusual activity in Canet: sharing intense emotions and exploring the secrets of the deep together.

How much does the Immersive Adventure cost and do I need a specific ticket?

Access to the Immersive Adventure is included in your standard admission ticket. This new room is integrated into the original tour circuit, extending the loop of your educational journey around the water cycle. You can enjoy this spectacular technological novelty at no extra cost or extra steps, as the entire experience is directly included in Oniria's admission prices.

Which creatures in the giant virtual aquarium can you interact with?

Constant interactivity is the focus of this brand-new experience. In the giant virtual aquarium, the large sperm whale and schools of fish react instantly to your gestures. In other scenes, you can also choose the tricks for the Bermuda dolphins to perform, or have your silhouette materialized by a ballet of bioluminescent plankton.

Who are the other iconic characters in the Immersive Adventure?

Throughout your journey, you will meet Natica, our beautiful and mischievous mermaid, Blackbeard & Captain Jack, our adventurous pirates, and Pixan, the wise spirit of a Maya priest.

Is the Immersive Adventure room fully wheelchair accessible (PRM)?

The complete layout of the infrastructure has been modernized to guarantee optimal exploration comfort for all visitor profiles. The total absence of steps or obstacles allows everyone to venture deep into the abyss and experience this sensory odyssey in complete autonomy and safety. Furthermore, it is important to remember that the Oniria Aquarium in Canet-en-Roussillon holds the "Tourism & Handicap" label.

Is the room accessible for strollers?

Please note, check before planning your visit, as on high-attendance days, the Oniria Aquarium may limit or deny access to single and/or double strollers, as specified in our rules and T&Cs (Terms and Conditions). Baby carriers are available for free at reception against proof of identity (ID card, passport, driver's license) for the duration of your visit.

How do I plan my visit and book my tickets to Oniria?

To enjoy this beautiful experience and explore the Aquarium of waking dreams, we advise you to plan your trip in advance to ensure full immersion. You can book your tickets to Oniria directly on our online ticketing system to easily secure your time slots and embark on this two-hour odyssey, including 20 to 30 minutes in the Immersive Adventure.