People around the globe can now dive into the beauty of Bermuda's aquamarine waters from their laptop.

The Island's marine treasures are featured in the latest version of Google Earth, launched yesterday on the World Wide Web.

Bermuda is one of 11 geographical locations highlighted, featuring alongside the Hawaiian Islands, the Great Barrier Reef, the Antarctic, the Arctic, the Patagonian Shelf, Monterey Bay, the Mediterranean, the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean and global oceans.

Internet browsers can take the plunge via videos, photographs, research and information compiled by Bermuda's environmental and scientific institutions, underwater photographers and scientists.

The Island's link includes footage of shipwrecks, coral reefs, underwater caves, the deep ocean, marine species and protected habitats such as seagrass beds.

William Beebe's famous dive off Nonsuch Island in the 1930s is also featured, plus the groundbreaking work of legendary underwater explorer Teddy Tucker.

The latest version of Google Earth was launched yesterday at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco.

Among those attending was Sheila McKenna, a marine ecologist who coordinated the Island's participation.

Dr. McKenna said: "We are proud to have been able to take part in this international effort to showcase the beauty and environmental importance of the world's oceans.

"The distinctiveness of our waters warranted Bermuda having its own focal area on the newest version of Google Earth. Bermuda's unique habitats and biodiversity will receive a worldwide audience as a result."

Institutions taking part in the project included: Bermuda Zoological Society (BZS), Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS), Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI) and Bermuda Aquarium Museum and Zoo (BAMZ).

BZS marine ecologist Thad Murdoch, of the Bermuda Reef Ecosystem Assessment and Mapping (BREAM) project, also provided content while BUEI director Wendy Tucker provided images.

Contributors from BIOS included: Jim Flagg, Sam du Putron, Ross Jones, Paul Lethaby, Tim Noyes, Kim Holzer, Tom Wadsworth and Tiffany Wardman. The photographers and videographers were: Choy Aming of Blue Onion Films, Ron Lucas of BZS, Chris Burville, Alan Marquardt, and Ian and Joan Murdoch.