Cancún underwater museum – MUSA & The art of conservation

The Cancún underwater museum of art is an amazing project promoting coral life and conservation. The constellation of over 500 life-size sculptures is one of the top attractions in Cancún and you can enjoy the different galleries of the museum scuba diving, snorkelling or freediving.

 

What is MUSA?

Back in the 2000’s the protected marine areas of Cancún were in a dire condition. At the time, there were millions of visitors swimming, diving and snorkeling in the area. The number of people and boats in the ocean at the same time was immense. As a result, the level of water contamination increased and the reefs became sick.

This led the local authorities, with the help of two entrepreneurs, to a magnificent idea. They decided to reduce the impact on the natural reefs by creating a place where people can not only go diving or snorkelling, but also learn about conservation. And what is the best way, and perfect place to educate people? A museum! 

And thus, MUSA (which gained its naming from the acronym “Museo Subacuático de Arte” ) was born with more than 500 statutes divided into three different galleries. 

Every year more than 250,000 visitors go to the underwater museum. With the increase in its popularity, more and more people prefer visiting this unique place rather than the natural reef. This is great news for the coral reef, as it greatly reduces the stress. 

 

Where is the underwater museum in Mexico?

The Cancún Underwater Museum (MUSA) consists of three separate locations: 

1. “The silent evolution” is located in Cancún at Isla Mujeres bay, just off of the island. 
2. “Punta Nizuc” is located just South of Cancún. 
3. “Punta Sam” is located just North of Cancún. 

 

What underwater statues can you see while snorkeliing around Cancún?

Punta Sam and Punta Nizuc are extremely shallow (3 m/15ft). The statues there are placed at depths for snorkeling or freediving only. The exhibition in Cancun is slightly deeper and best for scuba diving. 

There are many companies that offer snorkeling tours to Punta Nizuc. Most of these tours are part of a larger package called the “Jungle Tour”. This tour takes you amidst the mangroves where you will see the abundant life surrounding the area including birds, plants and juvenile fish. Meanwhile, in the ocean you will find the statues are extremely close to the natural reef called Nizuc. This means you will find a wide variety of tropical fish like grunts, jacks, snappers, parrotfish, pufferfish, groupers, barracudas and many more. The best part? It is located in such shallow waters (3m/15ft) that the reef is extremely close to you! 

 

Can you freedive there?

If freediving is your thing, you will love to visit the Punta Sam gallery! To do this, all you need is to take a boat tour in the area of Puerto Juarez (north of Cancun). This tour will typically take you to three different locations: the underwater museum of Punta Sam, a shallow reef called “El Meco” (8m/25ft) and a small wreck (6m/20ft) which is full of marine life. 

 

Scuba diving at the Cancún Underwater Museum

The Cancun gallery known as “The silent evolution” was sunk in 2009 with the intention of creating an artificial reef over the the years. This is possible because the statues are made of a special cement that allows coral to stick and grow on it. 

Now imagine what 20 or 30 years of growth can do, and how many corals and fish you will find there! 

The sculptor’s name is Jason deCaires Taylor, originally from the UK. He has always been interested in marine protected projects helping inspire others with his incredible art. His sculptures in MUSA are based on randomly selected locals from Cancún. You can find a fisherman named Carlos aka Charlie Brown (who lives in Puerto Morelos and now charges $20 pesos to take a picture with him) . You can find a pregnant woman, a man on fire (that is full of fire coral, so make sure you do not touch it), a child called Diego, a nun and a priest, as well as many others giving a total of 500 statues – including the Dream Catcher, Jason’s father. 

Beside the statues you will find “The Urban Reef ” which is another saloon consisting of 2 little houses, two VolksWagen cars, a mirror, bombs, the bankers (men with their head buried in the sand), a mine and an arch. Each and every sculpture has a name and a meaning. Some of these sculptures have messages written on them, for instance, one of the cars, a VW Beetle, has the legend “THINK BLUE”. In other parts you will often find “DON’T TOUCH” which is a good reminder to not mess with the ocean creatures! 

 

How deep is the underwater museum in Cancún?

MUSA is 8m/27 ft deep making it perfect for every level of scuba diver, but also shallow enough that free divers, snorkelers and even swimmers can enjoy the crystal waters of the underwater museum of art. Most of the year there is very good visibility – more than 20m/65ft. Because it is inside the bay of Cancún, waves are not on the menu! 

What’s the best way to enjoy it? Scuba diving! Because you can appreciate the statues so close and find all the critters that hide underneath the rocks like octopus, lobsters, crabs, shrimps, scorpion fish, anemones and if you are super duper lucky nurse sharks, rays and sea turtles. It’s amazing how after only 12 years so many species have made the sculptures their new home. This is the real art and power of conservation. 

Not a certified diver? No problem! There are many dive centers that offer a scuba lesson where you learn the basics of diving and then do your very first dive at MUSA! It’s also a very good place for photography enthusiasts. Its clear waters, lack of current and shallowness make for perfect conditions to play with your camera, even if it’s just a GoPro. If being an underwater photographer isn’t for you but you would still like pictures, you can hire a photographer to have the best underwater pictures of you on your dive among the sculptures.

 

What else?

The Cancún underwater museum is also a very popular place for underwater weddings because there is a statue of Christ and a cross where you can have a lovely ceremony. 

But don’t worry if scuba diving is not your thing. Snorkelling you will be able to see lots of tropical fish that swim close to the surface like surgeonfish, sergeant fish, sea turtles that go up to breath just beside you. Mantas and rays are also swimming by frequently so if you’re lucky you may just catch a glimpse. 

You prefer to be under the surface but without scuba equipment? If you have your free diving certification, you can freedive without any problems. Make sure to bring your GoPro, or hire a photographer for an underwater photoshoot for your Instagram! 

If you happen to be in Cancún during the months of November and December, you can also plan a scuba diving trip to the spectacular Manta Valley.

For those of you planning a trip to the Riviera Maya between May and September, don’t miss the largest whale shark migration!

 

How to get to Cancun’s Underwater Museum. Is there a fee?

MUSA is part of the Marine National Protected Areas of Cancún and it is mandatory to go with a certified guide on a boat that has the proper permits for these activities. All the companies should provide a bracelet which costs $35 pesos (less than 2 US dollars) and pay an entrance fee of $100 pesos ($5 usd). Most tours include both. 

With this contribution, you are helping fund the coral restoration program and the creation of different environmental projects including the sinking of additional sculptures! 

Remember, protected areas have some rules such as: 

– A certified guide is mandatory 

– Do NOT touch marine life or the statues.

– Do NOT feed the animals 

– 100% natural sunblock only 

– Snorkelers need to use a life jacket all the time 

– Swim 2.5 mts / 8 ft from the reef 

If you go out from Cancun, the boat ride is about 20 minutes to the area. If you stay on Isla Mujeres it will be less than 10 minutes.

 

Booking your trip to the Cancún Underwater Museum

Planning to visit one of the top attractions around Cancún? Here is one of the best operators, which is licensed to take you to the main area of MUSA near Isla Mujeres. Solo Buceo is a local family owned dive business with the highest standards and the most friendly and helpful staff. They have been in the scuba diving business for more than 26 years.

If you are a certified diver, this is a unique dive site! If you do not have a scuba certification yet, you can take beginner lessons or alternatively, you can just join the boat and snorkel in the area.

The readers of Dive into Life get 5% off when booking a trip with Solo Buceo. Just enter your email in the form below to receive your coupon code!