For immediate release.

Swim Alongside Green Sea Turtles in Fernbank Museum’s Newest Film
“Coral Sea” opens May 17, 2025.

ATLANTA, April 15, 2025 — In the tropical waters of the Pacific Ocean, the ebbs and flows of life are connected to the saltwater in “Coral Sea,” a new giant screen film premiering May 17 at Fernbank Museum. This immersive, cinematic experience highlights life in the vibrant Coral Sea, which is home to the Great Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and to the people of Oceania who spend their lives connected to these waters.

Legend has it that the islands of the Coral Sea were built on the back of a giant sea turtle. Turtles, especially the giant green sea turtle, have remained important cultural symbols in the region, yet today their future is uncertain. Through the eyes of turtle-hunter-turned-conservationist Steven Amos, “Coral Sea” shows audiences the feats of these amazing creatures, despite facing tumultuous conditions that impact their way of life.

“In this film, there’s adventure and mystery and heart,” said director Matt Tomaszewski. “Steven is an example of someone who appears ordinary, but he single-handedly is saving thousands and thousands of turtles. That’s a really inspiring message to all of us — that one person can make a difference.”

While green sea turtles have similar life spans to humans, living on average 70 to 90 years, only one in a thousand baby turtles survive in the wild to become an adult. Faced with global forces like climate change, pollution, warming and rising oceans flooding sea turtle nesting sites and more, these magnificent creatures need all the assistance that humanity can give them. With the help of Amos and his fellow conservationists, weak or sick hatchlings have a chance of survival. Amos and his team raise these turtles until they are strong enough to survive in the wild on their own. In just three years, they have saved 9,000 turtle hatchlings.

Much of where turtles travel in the ocean, their survival tactics and how they are able to return to the exact location of their birth site to reproduce are mysteries. Despite this, “Coral Sea” showcases incredible footage of both marine and human life in the tropical waters around Australia and Papua New Guinea. Audiences viewing “Coral Sea” will be treated to stunning scenes of turtles, jellyfish, sharks and coral reefs, and will leave with a newfound appreciation for the resilience of these creatures and the help they receive to survive in the wild.

Turtle conservation will also be highlighted in Fernbank’s summer exhibit, “Turtles,” opening on June 7. The exhibition will focus on the lives and behaviors of these beloved reptiles. Through live turtle habitats, hands-on activities and presentations, the exhibit explores the challenges turtles face for survival, encouraging visitors to take action to protect them. This exhibit will also cover the rehabilitation efforts Georgia citizens have undertaken to protect local turtle species, like the diamondback terrapin and the gopher tortoise.

“This summer, Fernbank will be highlighting all things turtles with the pairing of ‘Coral Sea’ and our special exhibition, ‘Turtles,’” said Bobbi Hohmann, Vice President of Programming and Collections. “Georgia is home to a variety of turtles, tortoises and terrapins, and many in our community are actively engaged in conservation efforts to protect them and the habitats they call home. From freshwater to saltwater, we’re excited to be able to share these stories from around the globe with our guests.”

“Coral Sea” is produced by Definition Studios and distributed by K2 Studios in IMAX®/Giant Screen theaters located in science centers, museums, and other cultural destinations and attractions worldwide. 

Sponsored locally by Isdell Family Foundation and Georgia Natural Gas.

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Tickets 
General admission tickets include three floors of exhibits in the natural history museum, choice of one giant screen film, and 75-acres of nature explorations in Fernbank Forest and WildWoods. Fernbank After Dark and some other special after-hours events are available at a separate ticket price and may include access to special exhibits. Fernbank is located at 767 Clifton Road NE in Atlanta, minutes from midtown Atlanta and downtown Decatur.  

General admission tickets vary by date and program, starting at $23.95 for children and $25.95 for adults, and include a film in the Giant Screen Theater. Tickets purchased online are discounted. Members receive free general admission. More information is available at FernbankMuseum.org. 

Media Inquiries    
Jena Allison | Communications Manager     
Jena.Allison@FernbankMuseum.org    
404.929.6381     

After June 16, please send inquiries to media.relations@fernbankmuseum.org

About Fernbank    
Fernbank is one of the most popular and iconic cultural destinations in Atlanta. Known as Atlanta's Science and Nature Experience, Fernbank invites guests to discover a World of Wow through an expansive natural history museum, 4-story giant screen theater, and 75-acres of nature adventures in WildWoods and Fernbank Forest. One of the oldest not-for-profit conservation organizations in the country, Fernbank was founded in 1939 to preserve Fernbank Forest, the largest urban, old growth, Piedmont forest in the United States. The museum and giant screen theater opened as "a school in the woods for nature studies" on Oct. 5, 1992, and is today known for its giant dinosaurs, hands-on STEAM* programming, immersive experiences, and year-round nature exploration. Visit fernbankmuseum.org for more information and join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube and TikTok.  

*Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics.