How to Experience the Underwater Museum in Cancun (MUSA)

When visiting Mexico for vacation, many people do not realize there is a detailed and massive underwater museum in Cancun. It’s one of the most fascinating attractions that lies beneath the surface. MUSA (Museo Subacuático de Arte) offers an unforgettable opportunity to see an underwater world filled with life-sized sculptures. Whether you’re a passionate scuba diver, a casual snorkeler, or prefer to stay dry on a glass-bottom boat, this underwater museum in Cancun is perfect for the adventurous traveler.

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Where in Cancun is the Underwater Museum

There are many things to do in Cancun to make the most of your trip. One of the best and most popular excursions in Cancun is seeing the underwater museum. To find the underwater museum in Cancun, visitors can take a short boat ride with the tour of their choice. The museum is located next to the Manchones National Park and only a half a mile from Isla Mujeres.

About the Underwater Museum

Opened in 2009, MUSA was created as an inventive way to protect the area’s fragile coral reefs. Coral reefs can be deeply affected by pollution, global climate change, overfishing, physical damage by tourists and much more. With tourism in Cancun and Isla Mujeres increasing every year, the natural coral reefs were constantly under threat. The idea behind MUSA was to create an artificial reef using art installations that would attract visitors and give the natural reefs a chance to recover.

Several artists, like Jason deCaires Taylor and Rodrigo Quiñones Reyes, have contributed to the project. The museum now includes over 500 sculptures, making it one of the largest underwater museums in the world. These life-sized sculptures are stunning works of art, and also provide a home for marine life and promote coral growth. Artists crafted the statues from a special pH-neutral material to promote coral growth and support marine ecosystems. Over the years, these statues have slowly evolved as coral, algae, and marine life take hold.

Ways to See the Museum

The museum in Mexico is divided into two main underwater galleries: Manchones Reef and Punta Nizuc. Both sites belong to Cancun’s National Marine Park, where you can witness how nature transforms art. For those would like to see the museum without getting in the water, glass bottom boat tours are also available.

Snorkeling the Museum

The section at Punta Nizuc is a shallower area perfect for snorkeling located around 10-13 feet deep. Snorkelers can glide above the sculptures and get a clear view of the underwater art.

As you snorkel, you may see sculptures like “The Gardener of Hope“, a young girl planting coral seedlings. Another is “The Collector of Lost Dreams,” depicting a man surrounded by bottles, each containing a note or message inside. One of my favorite pieces I enjoyed seeing while snorkeling, is the circle of oversized hands.

The shallow waters in this part of the underwater museum Cancun allow snorkelers to get a fantastic view of the sculptures from above. Surround yourself with schools of fish and the vibrant marine life that have made the statues their home. It’s a peaceful way to experience MUSA, with the feeling that you’re floating through an underwater art gallery.

Scuba Diving the Museum in Cancun

The main gallery at MUSA is located near Manchones Reef sitting at around 30 feet deep in the ocean. Scuba diving offers visitors the chance to explore the installed sculptures at MUSA much closer than snorkeling.

If you are not a certified diver, but are interested in learning, you still have options. Take a course to learn to scuba dive for a temporary certification and then dive the underwater museum. It only takes one day to learn the basics of scuba diving. For certified divers, you can book your dive here.

One of the most iconic sculptures in this gallery is “The Silent Evolution,” a massive installation featuring over 400 life-sized human figures. I was able to view the installation while scuba diving, and it truly is breathtaking. You’ll see several figures standing close together as nature slowly takes them over. Over time, the coral growth on these sculptures has created a living reef, providing a haven for fish, sponges, and other marine life.

Another remarkable piece in this area is “Man on Fire,” a statue of a man with holes throughout his body, where fire coral has begun to grow. The contrast between the man-made structure and the organic growth of the coral is striking, making it a favorite among divers. The sculptures will change over time, transforming into living ecosystems that contribute to the health of the surrounding marine environment.

Diving at MUSA gives you the freedom to explore these sculptures up close, swimming among them and observing how nature is slowly reclaiming these works of art. It’s an unforgettable experience, offering a blend of adventure, art, and nature that’s unlike anything else.

Glass Bottom Boat Tour

If you prefer to stay dry while still experiencing the magic of MUSA, book a glass-bottom boat tour. These tours provide an excellent view of the museum’s shallower galleries, particularly in Punta Nizuc, where the water is crystal-clear, and the sculptures can be seen from above.

As the boat glides over the underwater installations, passengers can gaze down through the glass panels at the sculptures below. It’s a peaceful and relaxing way to see the museum without having to snorkel or dive. Families with young children or those who prefer not to get in the water will appreciate this option, as it still allows for an up-close look at some of the museum’s most popular sculptures.

The experience of viewing the underwater Cancun museum from a glass-bottom boat is unique because it offers a different perspective than snorkeling or diving. You can see the entire scope of the museum laid out beneath the water, with schools of fish darting between the statues and coral starting to flourish around them. It’s a beautiful and serene way to appreciate the artistry and environmental purpose of MUSA.

When to Visit the Museum

The best time to visit the underwater museum in Cancun is during the dry season, which runs from November to April. During these months, the weather is generally sunny, and the water is calm and clear, making for ideal snorkeling and diving conditions. The visibility during this time is excellent, allowing you to see the sculptures in all their detail and observe the marine life that has taken over the statues.

It’s still possible to visit MUSA during the summer months (June to August), the water can be warmer, and visibility may be slightly reduced due to increased plankton in the water. The only time I have snorkeled, and scuba dived to see the museum was in the summer, and it was still amazing. The rainy season, from September to October, is less ideal for visiting, as storms and rough seas can affect the quality of your snorkeling or diving experience.

For the best experience at MUSA, it’s recommended to plan your visit during the winter and early spring when the water is calm, and visibility is at its peak.

YouTube Vlog

No matter when or how you see the underwater museum in Cancun, you’ll have a memorable experience. Watch my travel vlog as I snorkel, and scuba dive the famous underwater museum in Mexico.