This month marks the close of a brilliant chapter for KP Projects’ The Living Coast Undersea Experience. After touring across Sussex and beyond, the project has completed this phase of delivery, leaving behind thousands of new connections to the underwater world of The Living Coast UNESCO Biosphere. Acting as a reminder that you do not need to put on a wetsuit to fall in love with what lives beneath our waves.

© Raysto Images / KP Projects CIC 2018 

A virtual dive into one of Sussex’s most extraordinary places

Created by KP Projects and internationally acclaimed digital artist Simon Wilkinson in 2018, The Living Coast Undersea Experience is an interactive virtual reality experience that enables people to explore the underwater environment of the Beachy Head West Marine Conservation Zone, between Brighton Marina and Beachy Head. It brings audiences face to face with a globally rare chalk reef habitat and the unique life it supports.

KP Projects developed The Living Coast Undersea Experience through a partnership-led approach bringing together artists, conservationists, educators, creatives and academics.

© KP Projects CIC

Impacts and outcomes: reach, learning, and action between 2018-2025

• The Undersea Experience travelled to 65 venues and schools over 89 days, reaching nearly 7,000 people.
• Collected robust evidence of impact, which confirmed the project reached a fantastically wide range of ages and cultural backgrounds.
• 96 percent of respondents said it was the first time they learned about the extent and diversity of marine life off the Sussex coast.
• Increased awareness of protection, with well over half of participants learning about the Marine Conservation Zone designation for the first time.
• Encouraged real-world action, with the majority of participants identifying changes they might make at the beach or actions they could take to help protect the environment.
• Confirmed strong public interest for immersive marine engagement, supported by audience feedback from nearly 2,000 people.

© KP Projects CIC

Looking to the Future

We’re genuinely proud to have inspired KP Projects to develop & deliver this fantastic project. Thousands of people now have a stronger connection to the underwater world of The Living Coast, and that is exactly how long-term protection starts. Thank you’ to KP & their incredible team, every venue, schools, partner organisation, and every single person who put on a headset, looked around, and walked away seeing our seas differently.

KP Projects are now developing the next phase of the project. If you want to help shape the next chapter through collaboration, venue hosting, education partnerships or funding support, check out the website for more information and to get involved

You can also view the film all about The Living Coast Undersea Experience as an interactive, educational, vr & 360 film enabling users to explore the marine environment of the Beachy Head West Marine Conservation Zone (running between Brighton Marina & Beachy Head, & recently extended to Hastings) without getting wet!

© KP Projects CIC