Google announced this week it is adding its first underwater panoramic images to Google Maps and Hawaii is included in this latest project.

There are also underwater panoramas in Australia and the Philippines.

Possible visitors to Hawaii can experience what it's like to snorkel in Hanauma Bay without getting wet.  They can also explore the reefs at Maui's Molokini Crater.

Google partnered with the Catlin Seaview Survey, a major scientific study of the world's reefs.  The survey used a specially-designed underwater camera to capture the breathtaking panoramic photos.

The Catlin Seaview SVII camera does for the underwater what Google's Street View did for dry land.

The camera takes 360 degree images every three seconds while traveling at a speed of about 4 km/h.  The images are stitched together so anyone can self-navigate a "virtual dive" in stunning high-resolution.

With each image captured, a geo-location and a camera direction are also recorded.

Check out all of Google's underwater Street View maps here.

Google Maps provides underwater view of Hawaii

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