# 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 2026-10-17 · Updated 2026-10-17 · Route

## At a glance

- 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

![Two algae-covered sculptures on the seabed at MUSA](https://yachtvibes.com/_next/static/immutable/media/musa-dos-esculturas.1hhyz3ydch0p1.jpg) (Photo: Jamie Madden · Unsplash)

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

![Sculpture of a woman covered in coral at MUSA](https://yachtvibes.com/_next/static/immutable/media/musa-coral.40xn_fum98dsq.jpg) (Photo: Jamie Madden · Unsplash)

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

![Coral-covered car sculpture on the sand at MUSA](https://yachtvibes.com/_next/static/immutable/media/musa-coche.06yzkf-hfcj7p.jpg) (Photo: Jamie Madden · Unsplash)

| 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

![Sculptures on the MUSA seabed with a diver in the distance](https://yachtvibes.com/_next/static/immutable/media/musa-buzo.0eeoqljyowhjd.jpg) (Photo: Jamie Madden · Unsplash)
![Diver seen from behind swimming through a reef passage](https://yachtvibes.com/_next/static/immutable/media/cozumel-buzo.2ty7dliq66omu.jpg) (Photo: Joseph Corl · Unsplash)

- 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

![A woman in a mask swimming underwater over the sandy bottom](https://yachtvibes.com/_next/static/immutable/media/leopard-buceo-libre.1h4fqu6lgle50.jpg)

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.

> **Tip:** Ask the operator which gallery they visit: not all of them can be seen snorkeling.

## 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](https://musamexico.org/)
- [Jason deCaires Taylor, MUSA Mexico](https://www.underwatersculpture.com/projects/musa-mexico/)
- [Mexico's Official Gazette (DOF), management program of the Isla Mujeres, Punta Cancún and Punta Nizuc national park (in Spanish)](https://dof.gob.mx/nota_detalle_popup.php?codigo=5446471)
- [CONANP, conservation wristband (in Spanish)](https://descubreanp.conanp.gob.mx/swb/conanp/pasaporte-brazalete-conservacion)

On a yacht day from Cancún you get into the turquoise water from the swim platform, with extras like the SeaBob. Tell us your date and we will tell you which route works.

The Logbook: https://yachtvibes.com/logbook

## Contact

- WhatsApp: +52 998 406 5806 (https://wa.me/529984065806)
- Email: info@yachtvibes.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/theyachtvibes
- Departures: Cancún, Quintana Roo, México

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