Google's popular Street View maps are taking a dive Down Under, with the launch of the world's first 3D mapping of the Great Barrier Reef.

Australian researchers Catlin Seaview Survey teamed up with Google to create the database, which allows people to virtually dive the World Heritage Area.

The site will also log how the reef currently looks to compare its state after threats like cyclones or global warming.

Catlin Seaview Survey executive director Richard Vevers said researchers used a special camera to collect hundreds of thousands of images from along the Queensland coastline.

"The camera used for the survey is something that was specifically designed for this project," he said.

Sorry, this video has expired World's first underwater 3D map of Barrier Reef revealed ( Allyson Horn )

"It allows us to take full 360 [degree] images every three seconds as we're travelling along reef environments."

The Great Barrier Reef is the latest addition to Google's 3D maps, which already allow virtual dives of other reefs around the world.

The images can be accessed through Google Maps and have been recorded from dozens of reef locations.

"They can go jump in the water, go on a virtual dive and see how different the reef is along the 2300 kilometres," Mr Vevers said.

Google spokesman Shane Treeves hoped it gave people across the world a chance to experience the natural wonder.

"To be able to Street View underwater to a place where very few people can visit allows people to understand how beautiful these locations are, not just here in Australia but all across the world," he said.

"All you have to do is drag your peg man and you can swim virtually underwater from your own home to explore 360 degree images of these locations."

'Reef View' to track the health of the natural wonder

Catlin Seaview Survey said the project was also extremely important for science, because it created a log of how the reef currently looks.

Mr Vevers said the researchers will return to the underwater sites in the future, to compare images and measure the impacts of threats like climate change and cyclones.

"What we've revealed today is one of the most comprehensive records of the Great Barrier Reef that's ever been published," he said.

"They can be used as a very accurate record for monitoring change in reef environments."