Guide: Exploring underwater VR at DeoVR + creator interview: Andrés Waisberg (Virtual 360)

21 days ago

Diving into the ocean has never been more accessible. You can explore marine life, shipwrecks, and surreal seascapes all in DeoVR. This guide will help you plunge into some of the best underwater VR content available. Plus we'll publish our recent interview with underwater VR Filming expert, Andrés Waisberg, Executive Producer at Virtual 360.

Underwater VR transports you to a world where time slows and gravity fades. The sensation of floating, the filtered light, and the vivid blues create a uniquely serene experience. It’s also a way to explore deep-sea wonders - reefs, shipwrecks, marine life - without needing scuba gear or diving training. All you need is a headset.

Behind the Scenes: How These Videos Are Made

Creators use waterproof 360 stereoscopic rigs, dome ports, and specially calibrated stabilization gear to shoot underwater content.
Filming in 360 below the surface adds complexity - light fades quickly, particles affect clarity, and camera movement must stay smooth despite currents.
The best underwater VR videos are clear, fluid, and immersive. Color grading and post-processing are critical to making scenes vibrant and lifelike.

Tips for the Best Underwater VR Viewing

For the best results, use a modern headset like Meta Quest 3S
Boost brightness slightly to bring out underwater hues.
Long sessions? Use a swivel chair to stay comfortable while staying mobile. Take breaks to avoid VR fatigue.
Seated viewing works great for exploration and cinematic dives. For more interactive or action-heavy videos, standing may feel more immersive.

Creator Interview: Andrés Waisberg, Virtual 360

We met up in Buenos Aires with Andrés Waisberg, Executive Producer at Virtual 360, a studio that's been creating VR content since 2016. Read on for some behind-the- scenes insights from their shoots (live on DeoVR here and here) about an adorable colony of Magellanic penguins on the Puerto Madryn coast and jaw-dropping underwater footage of sea lions.

What was the biggest challenge to film? How did you solve it?

The biggest challenges related to educational videos are being able to convey the content we want to share in an entertaining and effective way. In this case, being able to convey the ecosystems and fauna that inhabit Chubut through an expedition.

To solve this problem, we created an exhaustive 360-degree script, which was rehearsed by the actors. We also needed to find the right moments to capture the wildlife in full action. Here, we chose the perfect time of year when the penguins and other species were at their most active.

What would you recommend to other creators who want to try underwater or diving shoots?

Underwater shots are complex to capture, as movement can cause motion sickness in the operator. Therefore, it's important to stay as still as possible and add stabilization in post-production. It's also essential to choose the best light hour, as our waters don't usually have the best visibility.

Stitching underwater can be a big complication, so we must choose the right divecase and try to keep a reasonable distance from the wildlife by aiming especially with one of the camera lenses, in order to have the "main actor" with a single lens.

Tell us something unexpected from your trip - and how did the penguins react to the cameras?

To get the best shots, we left the camera alone, without an operator, but monitored. This way, we achieved incredible close-ups with the penguins, who didn't recognize humans, so they were able to approach the camera more reliably and friendly.

Interview by Nadia Kiyatkina.

Top Underwater Experiences on DeoVR

More Ocean to Explore

Want more immersive underwater content? Try this playlist featuring content from VR Japan

Coming Soon: How To Make Underwater VR Content

We’re diving deeper into underwater filmmaking - keep checking for new guides on making the best underwater content. Expect tips on gear, editing, and storytelling.

Are you creating ocean-themed VR? Reach out to the DeoVR team - we’re always looking to showcase new talent and breathtaking new worlds.