An exploration of how GIS displays can increasingly serve as portals between worlds, by way of virtual 3D coastal atlases and the coupling gaming engines with GIS for augmented reality in support of a host of scientific applications (i.e., not just eye candy, but for rigorous science and decision support, especially for hazards). The keynote also discussed how we can design new kinds of spaces using GIS and augmented/virtual reality tools, how we can redefine what everyday space can be, and how all of this can help us better understand ocean environments, as well as how to use and communicate with the data that yield.