There is another reason why you should pack your bags and go to Cancun! The Underwater Museum is the newest tourist draw that has hit this Mexican paradise. Encompassing a total area of about 1,600 square feet, it is the largest underwater museum in the world. The museum is located around the waters of Cancun, Mujeres and Punta Nizuc. It is also in close proximity with the Manchones reef, an area covered by Cancun’s National Marine Park.
The Underwater Museum features more than 400 life-size human figures. The figures weigh a total of 120 tons and are submerged underwater with depths of 8 to 20 feet. This beautiful contemporary art masterpiece is the creation of the Artist Jason deCaires Taylor, and is part of the government’s marine preservation efforts. The magnificent sculptures are made from pH-neutral concrete, and are meant to be environment friendly. Their clay compositions make them suitable homes for aquatic life like white telestra corals, small lobsters, and peacock flounders. The sculptures will eventually change their appearance over the years as coral reefs are expected to form around them, creating an artificial ecosystem. This initiative ensures that the diverse marine environment of the National Marine Park can regenerate after damages caused by hurricanes, tropical storms and thousands of annual divers who visit the area.
The Cancun Underwater Museum project is a joint effort by three main organizations; which are Isla Mujeres Nautical Association, Cancun Nautical Association and National Marine Park Authorities. It is so successful and has captured the interests of international communities, that it triggered more projects for the area in the coming years. The organizations hope to encourage other great artists to create their own masterpieces to widen the museum’s range of exhibits.
The museum’s main exhibition is named “The Silent Evolution”. It provides a cultural and contemporary perspective on the evolution of the Mayan people. On top of the main exhibition, there are also other fascinating sculptures which carry great symbolisms depicting the present human ideologies and the dynamics of the present society. One of them is the “The Dream Collector”. This sculpture piece features a registrar maintaining the record of messages, values and aspirations made by present communities to be passed on to future generations.
The “Gardener of Hope” sculpture, which is only 4 feet below the surface, shows a Mexican girl lying around pots filled with live coral. Another captivating figure is the Burning Man, which is a solitary fisherman submerged 8 feet deep. The figure is called as such because fire coral has been planted all over it, giving the appearance that the man is on fire.
If you don’t have a diving certificate, you don’t have to worry as you can still witness the museum’s exhibits by taking a snorkel tour. The tour typically starts with a speed boat ride to the location of the Cancun Underwater Museum. On average, you are given 40 minutes to enjoy the sculptures and the marine life in the area. Important – snorkeling equipment is typically included in the excursion cost. Local outfitters like Paradise Snorkel, MUSA Snorkeling Tour, and Cancun Tank Dive regularly offer special diving or snorkeling excursions to the museum.
