If you're looking for a quick winter getaway, look no further than the desktop monitor.

Google has taken its global mapping software Google Earth to new depths, with the launch of a beta version of Google Ocean.

Google Earth, launched in 2005, posts detailed images of the world's geography, cities and streets. In 2007, it added Google Sky, which lets users explore the solar system and the far reaches of the universe.

Google Ocean expands those frontiers even further, offering a 3-D view of portions of the ocean floor and exploring underwater worlds and seldom-seen landmarks: volcanoes, shipwrecks and the deepest point in the world -- the Mariana Trench in the Pacific Ocean.

There's an educational component with information from scientists, explorers and researchers, including National Geographic Society explorer-in residence-Sylvia Earle. Part of the aim of Google Earth is to raise awareness of the threats facing the planet's oceans.

Informational layers to the maps let users zero-in on popular surfing and diving spots and find information from BBC Earth, National Geographic and Costeau Ocean World, including environmental data such as animal tracking and census of marine life.

To use this feature, download the free software from http://earth.google.com/ocean.

Google also has enhanced its Google Mars feature with 3-D. Now, viewers can see high-resolution and 3-D images of the Martian terrain, courtesy of NASA.