Route · 2 min read
MUSA, Cancún's Underwater Museum
More than 500 sculptures on the seabed between Cancún and Isla Mujeres. What it is, why it exists and how to visit without harming the reef.
By Alfonso G · Published
- What it is
- An underwater sculpture museum, since 2009
- Where
- A national park between Cancún and Isla Mujeres
- How to see it
- Snorkeling, diving or a glass-bottom boat
- Bring
- Biodegradable sunscreen only
What it is
The Underwater Museum of Art is a sculpture museum on the seabed, inside the Costa Occidental de Isla Mujeres, Punta Cancún and Punta Nizuc National Park. It began in 2009 and today has more than 500 sculptures.
It was started by the marine park, with work by sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor and Mexican artists such as Roberto Díaz Abraham.
Why it exists
To protect the reef. The park's management program explains that the museum was created as an alternative to spread visitors out and take pressure off the natural reefs.
The sculptures are artificial habitat: over the years, coral grows on them.
The galleries
| Gallery | How to see it |
|---|---|
| Punta Nizuc | Snorkeling and glass-bottom boat |
| Manchones | Diving, certified or not |
| Punta Sam | Glass-bottom boat and snorkeling |
According to the sculptor, the pieces sit between 4 and 8 meters deep: Nizuc is the shallowest and Manchones the deepest.
The park rules
- Biodegradable sunscreen only. All others are banned.
- No standing on, holding or touching the reef or the sculptures.
- CONANP's conservation wristband: personal, valid for one day, and there is a fee.
How to visit
MUSA can only be visited through a snorkeling or diving service from an authorized operator. If nobody in your group dives, Punta Nizuc can be seen snorkeling or from a glass-bottom boat.
Questions we get
- Can you see MUSA snorkeling?
- Yes, at Punta Nizuc and Punta Sam. Manchones is for diving.
- Do I need to know how to dive?
- No. Punta Nizuc can be seen snorkeling or from a glass-bottom boat.
- Which sunscreen is allowed?
- Biodegradable sunscreen only. The park's management program bans all others.
Sources
- MUSA, Underwater Museum of Art (opens in a new window)
- Jason deCaires Taylor, MUSA Mexico (opens in a new window)
- Mexico's Official Gazette (DOF), management program of the Isla Mujeres, Punta Cancún and Punta Nizuc national park (in Spanish) (opens in a new window)
- CONANP, conservation wristband (in Spanish) (opens in a new window)
