Underwater virtual exploration of the ancient port of Amathus

• Digital Amathus Harbor : Explore the ancient harbor of Amathus in Cyprus with immersive VR using 3D reconstruction. • Immersive VR Technology : Our project merges VR and procerural techniques, blending education with entertainment. • 3D Photogrammetry Tours : A 3D model of the harbor, built with underwater photogrammetry, offers interactive guided tours. • Procedural Generation & Machine Learning : Content diversity includes procedural flora and lifelike fauna through machine learning. • User & Expert Evaluations : A study with 30 users and experts shows high-quality experiences with minimal cybersickness. Underwater cultural heritage sites, spanning from submerged settlements to ancient ports and shipwrecks , captivate researchers and the public, providing insight into civilizations along coastlines and riverbanks . However, their accessibility and exploration are hindered by the sea’s physical barrier. Virtual Reality (VR) offers a transformative solution by providing digital accessibility to these underwater artifacts, enabling immersive exploration without physical limitations. VR enables people to embark on virtual tours of these sites, fostering a deeper appreciation of maritime archaeology and cultural heritage. Yet, fully realizing VR’s potential in underwater environments poses challenges, such as realistic virtual reconstruction and accurate simulation of marine life and coral reefs. Photogrammetry emerges as an effective technique for creating detailed 3D models, although underwater conditions often hinder quality outcomes. To address these challenges, our work focuses on digital underwater cultural heritage, presenting a gamified VR exploration of the ancient harbor of Amathus in Cyprus. Through photogrammetry, our VR environment enables users to explore and interact with the historic site seamlessly. Integrated guided tours, procedural generation, and machine learning algorithms enhance realism and user engagement. Evaluation through user studies demonstrates high-quality VR experiences with minimal discomfort, highlighting the efficacy and potential impact of our approach in enhancing underwater exploration and conservation efforts.