Cacun Underwater Museum MUSA
One of the major attractions in Cancun is Isla Mujeres Underwater Museum, or MUSA (Museo Subacuatico de Arte).
This museum was first conceptualized by a non-profit organization based in Cancun. The museum director hired sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor and submerged 500 different sculptures in the depths of the Cancun sea.
Ever since 2008, the underwater museum became a major attraction of Cancun. Throughout the years, the sculptures have begun to develop into coral reefs. Microrganisms begin to grow on the sculptures and attract surrounding fish. This is because the sculptures are made of PH-neutral cement, so that seaweed and algae can grow on the sculptures.
Originally, this project is developed to protect the coral reefs. Artificial statues were purposely dropped to the ocean to produce and cultivate new coral reefs. In a sense, art is saving the ocean.
Where is it?
As you can see above, there are two main MUSA locations in Cancun. Each location feature different types of sculptures underwater.
I went to the site that is close to Isla Mujeres. To get there, you must take a ferry to arrive at Isla Mujeres. At the island, there are many tour operators that can take you to MUSA, whether it is snorkel or scuba-diving.
What are the different types of sculptures?
There are many objects in MUSA. Some are day-to-day objects such as cars, houses and rings. However, there are some that are more fantasy-like, such as rings of human sculptures.
Though, the most shocking that I've seen is a view of 300 human sculptures all at once. If there is not enough sunlight that day, it can get quite scary to see many human sculptures in the dark underwater.
Here are some of the pictures of MUSA that I took with my goPro.
How can I participate?
There are many tour operators that provide you with a day trip to MUSA. The best thing is that you do not need to be certified diver to scuba dive in MUSA.
I have gathered information on some of the services and price by these operators.
Mexico Divers PADI Dive Resort
- Reef dives for $100 USD
- $25 USD for an extra dive
- Each dive is 45 minutes
- Provides equipment, certified guide and entrance fee to marine park
http://www.mexicodivers.com/
Cruise Divers
- Reef dives for $85 USD
- $15 USD for an extra dive
- Snorkeling for $25 USD
- Provides equipment, certified guide and entrance fee to marine park
http://www.cruisedivers.com/
Dive Isla Mujeres
- Reef dives for $110 USD
- Snorkeling for $35 USD
- Provides equipment, certified guide and entrance fee to marine park
http://www.diveislamujeres.com/
Manta Divers
- Reef dives for $111 USD
- Provides equipment, certified guide and entrance fee to marine park
www.mantadivers.com
The good and bad?
The good: Obviously it is cool to check out a large number of artificial sculptures underwater. The one thing that attracted me was the ability to see something different. It is not a regular scuba diving activity that you would do in Bahamas, Thailand or Australia. MUSA is able to offer something more than just reefs, by providing how art (sculptures) can interact with the ocean.
The bad: A lot of people complained that MUSA wasn't deep enough. Compared to other scuba diving sites around the world, MUSA is only 15 metres deep. It is not as deep and thus you won't have the thrilling experience. Also, to get to MUSA, the boat has to go through strong waves to arrive in the ocean. The sea at Cairns and Port Douglas in Australia is deep enough that waves aren't as strong. Unlike the Australian sea, Cancun sea is relatively shallow, and thus it can get quite wavy even underwater. If you are prone to sea sick, I suggest you to take a gravol pill before hand!
