Expedition Reef

  • A spotted moray enjoys a teeth cleaning from a shrimp and a wrasse in this Expedition Reef still
  • A close up of the tentacles of a coral polyp in this still from Expedition Reef
  • An idyllic coral reef scene, featuring a paddling turtle, giant coral colonies, colorful fish, and crystal-clear blue water
Enjoy front-row seats to the stunning beauty and biodiversity of coral reefs in the Academy's award-winning planetarium show—and meet the scientists taking action to protect and regenerate them.

Learn the secrets of the “rainforests of the sea” as you embark on an oceanic safari of the world’s most vibrant—and endangered—marine ecosystems.

Narrated by Tony Award® winner Lea Salonga, the all-digital Expedition Reef takes full advantage of Morrison Planetarium’s fulldome screen to immerse you in the undersea adventure. Along the way, discover how corals grow, feed, reproduce, and support over 25% of all marine life on Earth—while facing unprecedented threats from climate change, habitat destruction, and overfishing.

“This is a difficult story [and] a turning point for reefs,” says Academy scientist and reef expert Dr. Rebecca Albright, “but it’s not too late.”

Expedition Reef is now playing daily! See our Daily Calendar for showtimes.

Planetarium shows may not be appropriate for children under 7, and we regret that we cannot permit any child under 4.

Two Academy scientists dive beside a large coral reef formation

Science meets cinema

The Academy's Visualization Studio worked closely with scientists across the Academy to ensure all 619,441,132,950 pixels (give or take a few) are scientifically accurate. Inspired by the digital reef renderings, Dr. Rebecca Albright is exploring how computer modeling could assist in future coral reef research and restoration efforts.

Go behind-the-scenes
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A guest in silhouette gazes at the Philippine Coral Reef tank

In-house inspiration

Academy scientists criss-cross the globe studying coral reefs. All you have to do is head downstairs. After the show, visit Steinhart Aquarium’s 212,000-gallon, 25-foot-deep Philippine Coral Reef exhibit and be dazzled by thousands of colorful fish and towering coral colonies.

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Three Academy designers examine their digital creations on a trio of computer monitors

Digital deep dive

The remarkably realistic reef creatures in the film are actually composites of thousands of still images transformed into computer models by our award-winning VizStudio—a technique called photogrammetry. Software typically used to simulate crowds ended up being a perfect fit for creating schools of fish.

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A gif of a digital moray eel emerging from Stow Lake

Snapchat lenses

Your Expedition Reef experience doesn't have to end when the show's over. Add some reef creatures to your everyday life with five augmented reality (AR) Snapchat Lenses! 

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Reef resources

The Academy is committed to researching, protecting, and regenerating coral reefs worldwide. See what we're up to offscreen.

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Expedition Reef for Educators

Educators everywhere can stream Expedition Reef in HD, in addition to shorter video clips.

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2 scuba divers lay transect lines in Easter Island

Photo: Luiz Rocha © California Academy of Sciences

Hope for Reefs, Phase II

Explore the Academy's major initiative aiming to reverse the rapid decline of Earth’s reefs in this generation.

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Expedition Reef: Behind the Scenes

The Academy's in-house production studio reveals how they created Expedition Reef's eye-popping effects.

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Hope for Reefs: Palau

See why Academy scientists journeyed to the western Pacific to study Palau's surprisingly pristine coral reefs.