Cancun Underwater Museum

The Cancun Underwater Museum is an art exhibition with roughly 500 life-sized figures made from marine concrete in the Caribbean Sea. The sculptures rest on the seabed in various depth zones between Isla Mujeres and Cancun, together forming an artificial reef structure.

The museum opened in 2010 during the global climate summit held in Cancún as a way to protect natural coral reefs from heavy tourist pressure. The installation was conceived in response to the impact of tourism on existing marine ecosystems.

The sculptures underwater come from international and Mexican artists who intentionally used marine-friendly concrete that attracts sea life. The figures show human forms and address environmental themes that you encounter directly while diving or snorkeling.

You can explore the works underwater through glass-bottom boat tours, snorkeling trips, or diving sessions with certified instructors. The best time to visit is during dry months with calm sea conditions, when underwater visibility is clearer.

Corals, algae, and sea creatures gradually colonize the sculptures, transforming the artworks into living installations. Over time, these figures become actual reef structures that harbor and support thousands of marine organisms.