MUSA Isla Mujeres: The Hidden Underwater Museum you must visit

MUSA in Isla Mujeres exhibits more than 500 permanent life-size sculptures under the crystalline waters of the Mexican Caribbean. From Hotel Privilege Aluxes we recommend you to visit this extraordinary underwater art museum in Isla Mujeres occupies more than 420 square meters of seabed and is one of the largest underwater art attractions in the world.

Since 2009, the museum has evolved from a conservation project to a must-see destination. Visitors can explore two different galleries according to your skill level: an 8-meter deep section for divers and a 4-meter deep zone for snorkelers.

Exceptional water visibility extends up to 30 meters, allowing visitors to clearly observe the intricate details of the masterpieces. The Silent Evolution, the centerpiece of the museum, has 400 individual statues weighing 120 tons.

This image belongs to the MUSA, Museo Subacuático de Arte.

MUSA is located next to the Manchones National Park. This underwater museum was opened in 2009 to protect the delicate coral reefs in the area. The growth of tourism in Cancun and Isla Mujeres was putting too much pressure on the natural reef systems, so the museum became a creative solution.

The museum has an impressive collection of underwater art. The British artist Jason deCaires Taylor and five Mexican sculptors created most of these remarkable pieces. These art installations are located between three and six meters deep in the ocean.

The museum has two main underwater galleries:

1. Manchones Reef: Located at 8-10 meters deep, perfect for scuba diving.
2. Punta Nizuc: Located at 4 meters deep, ideal for snorkeling.

The museum occupies more than 420 metros cuadrados of what was once an empty seabed. The project obtained permits to place 1,412 artificial habitats in ten different areas of the National Marine Park.

This image belongs to the MUSA, Museo Subacuático de Arte.

The best time to visit is between November and April. The weather is sunny, and the waters are calm and clear, making it easy to observe the sculptures and marine life. Summer visits also work, especially from June to August, but visibility may decrease somewhat due to excessive plankton in the water.

Want to explore MUSA Isla Mujeres? You will find several exciting ways to experience this underwater wonder. Certified divers can enjoy a diving experience by 2250 MXN if departing from Isla Mujeres. New divers can do a beginners course with one dive per day 2625 MXN.

Snorkeling excursions are a great option for the following reasons 1400 MXN, if you prefer to stay close to the surface. Glass-bottom boat trips cost the same and allow you to observe the underwater art without getting wet.

This is what you need to bring:

• Biodegradable sunscreen
• Comfortable, light-colored clothing
• Towels
• Extra money for souvenirs
• Waterproof camera

Guided tours of the Underwater Museum of Art have limited daily seating, so book well in advance. This is even more important in high season. Be sure to eat well before the scheduled water activity for the best experience.

Debe hablar con su médico sobre cualquier problema de salud si piensa bucear. Esto incluye infecciones de oído, problemas respiratorios o ansiedad en espacios abiertos. Su seguridad y comodidad son lo más relevante mientras disfruta de esta experiencia única en el museo submarino.

This image belongs to the MUSA, Museo Subacuático de Arte.

Welcome to an otherworldly gallery where art meets marine life. The MUSA underwater museum features three distinct areas. The main collection is located between Cancun and Isla Mujeres.

Among the masterpieces in the collection are:

• The Silent Evolution: An impressive installation of more than 400 life-size figures.
• The Dream Collector: A thought-provoking piece with hundreds of bottles with messages.
• Man on fire: A powerful sculpture highlighting marine conservation.

They are not ordinary sculptures. They filter nutrients from the water and support the natural growth of corals. British sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor and five talented Mexican artists created these works of art. The pieces rest at depths of between three and six meters below the surface.

This image belongs to the MUSA, Museo Subacuático de Arte.

The visit becomes truly unique thanks to the interactive elements. Some sculptures have working chimneys where divers release bubbles to create a playful smoke effect. An extraordinary sculpture of a Volkswagen Beetle now serves as a home for marine species of all kinds.

The museum's innovative, pH-neutral concrete marine structures function as artificial reefs. Each work tells its story powerfully: from businessmen with their heads buried in the sand to a girl's hopeful gaze to the surface.