The first exhibit encountered by guests is the large 1 900 m3 snorkel lagoon viewed from the interior of a sunken Spanish galleon. The shallow, inshore marine environment common off the east coast of KwaZulu-Natal is portrayed in this exhibit. Over 2 500 species of marine fish are found in South African waters. About 16% of these fish are endemic, which means that they are found nowhere else in the world. The amazing diversity of fish is beautifully demonstrated in the snorkel lagoon, as over 60 species of fish are housed in the exhibit. Colourful surgeonfish graze the algae while wrasses gracefully scull through the water. The spotted grunter spend their time blowing on the sand as they search for food while the batfish swim together in a silvery shoal. Parrot fish, with their unusual beak-like mouths, patrol the large acrylic windows, while the many damsel fish busily defend their territories. This large exhibit offers guests an unusual opportunity - the chance to snorkel with the fish. Spiny rock lobsters, eels and octopus are housed in three smaller exhibits adjacent to the main exhibit windows.