The United States is home to many underwater treasures: the haunting shipwrecks of Thunder Bay, the colorful corals of Grays Reef, the barnacle-covered statue of Christ in the Florida Keys.

For most Americans, however, these sights are out of reach. Though half of the U.S. population lives within 50 miles of a coast, only a tiny fraction fewer than 5 percent , according to some industry estimates actively dive or snorkel.

But thanks to an online project spearheaded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, everyone can now experience these underwater wonders in vivid detail. Diving knowledge isnt required and you wont even get wet; all you need is a smartphone, tablet or computer.