The Institute’s two floors of interactive exhibits – where visitors demystify the underwater world – are definitely worth a stop. Watching the facility’s simulated dive, a video with sound effects, you see submerging whales, schools of toothy sharks and clusters offloating jelly fish, their pink tentacles drifting lazily in the sea. In other exhibits press buttons to hear the mysterious, throaty calls of sperm, blue and humpback whales and other deep-seadenizens. You can also learn about bioluminescence, view hundreds of seashells, find out about the effects of water pressure on the human body and try on scuba gear. Kids will enjoy the submarine and ocean simulators, where you can step into a virtual shark cage and plunge 12,000 feet down in a virtual submarine. Don’t miss the Unlock the Secrets of the Bermuda Triangle exhibit. There’s also a restaurant in the building in case your gang is peckish.