It was in 2006. After the passage of a cyclone in the island of Grenada which destroyed a superb coral reef, the British sculptor and diver Jason deCaires Taylor had the idea of immersing his works so that they attract and fix flora and fauna.
A total success!
Since then, his idea has spread around the world.
Textured, rough, these durable concrete sculptures offer a platform to the flora and then to the larvae that develop there.
In addition to their intrinsic beauty, these underwater museums carry a message of environmental preservation.
Living and evolving works of art, they materialize from year to year, each visit constituting a new experience.
If the visitor practices a little apnea, he can turn around the statues, observe them from all angles,
which is impossible in a terrestrial museum.
Our selection of the most beautiful underwater museums.
Read alsoManta rays, sperm whales or crocodiles: 6 diving trips to observe the lords of the oceans
In Mexico, inhabitants sculpted for eternity
At MUSA, near Cancun, Mexico, a banker prays to his one and only god: money.
Jasondecairestaylor / www.underwatersculptures
On their knees, bankers seem to be praying to their only god: money.
Further on, a VW beetle with a grieving child curled up on the windshield represents what humanity leaves to future generations.
These chiseled faces are those of the inhabitants of the village of Puerto Morelos who served as models for Jason deCaires Taylor.
Colossal, his work of 400 life-size statues (120 tons) "The Silent Evolution" symbolizes a people who defend the ocean.
The museum is spread over an area of 420 m2, with three delimited areas.
On a bottom of 3.5 meters easily accessible to swimmers, Punta Sam houses 9 works by Mexican artists.
Punta Nizuc has 33 sculptures by 4 meters deep where freedivers frolic.
In practice
Museo Subacuático de Arte (MUSA): one kilometer southwest of the women's island, Isla Mujeres, facing Cancún (Quintana Roo).
To be discovered by glass-bottomed boat (around 40 euros) or by scuba diving (90 € if certified diver, 150 € if beginner).
SEE THE DOSSIER -
Mexico: the
Figaro travel guide
In Cannes, masks that do not fall
At the Cannes Underwater Museum, the monoliths represent emblematic faces of Cannes.
Jasondecairestaylor / www.underwatersculptures
Six monoliths representing faces of Cannes emblematic of the place rest between three and five meters deep on the southern shore of Sainte-Marguerite Island since January 2021. Their weight?
Ten tons.
Their height?
Two meters.
Impressive measurements which earned them entry into the Guinness Book 2022, illustrating at the same time the environmental theme.
To see them from the beach, you have to swim between 84 and 132 meters.
It was at Fort Royal on Île Sainte-Marguerite that the Man in the Iron Mask was imprisoned from 1687 to 1698.
The theme of the masks, chosen jointly by David Lisnard, Mayor of Cannes and by the artist, evokes this mysterious stranger.
In practice
Free swimming.
It is strictly forbidden to touch the statues so as not to disturb the fauna or flora.
PMT trip (fins, mask, snorkel) weather permitting with blacktenders.fr (1h30, €39).
More information: Permanent Center for Environmental Initiatives (CPIE) of the Lérins and Pays d'Azur Islands.
In Cyprus, a forest symbol of lost naturalness
In MUSAN, to the east of Cyprus, an underwater forest stretches as far as the eye can see.
Jasondecairestaylor / www.underwatersculptures
Beneath the blue waters of the eastern Mediterranean, one can make out leaves with silver reflections that the sunlight illuminates and massive trunks surmounted by spectacular corollas.
An underwater forest.
Camera in hand, children play hide and seek.
"
For the past 50 years, children have been excluded from the wild places that once existed,
" says the sculptor, Jason deCaires Taylor.
They point their camera lenses at the human race, hoping for a future in which the mystery and magic of nature returns.
The need to bring our oceans back to life is as pressing as the need to restore our connection to the natural world
".
A personal symbolism.
The visitor is free to feel other emotions and to interpret what he sees as he pleases!
In practice
MUSAN, less than 200 meters off the coast of Aiya Napa, east of Cyprus.
Many operators offer outings to the museum: around €25 for snorkeling, €60 for scuba diving.
Read alsoFive diving spots to swim with sharks
In Jordan, military wrecks
A submerged tank: this is one of the military artifacts that can be seen underwater off Aqaba in the Red Sea.
Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority / AFP
An AH-1 Cobra helicopter, an anti-aircraft battery, two British FV101 Scorpion light tanks, an FV103 Spartan armored personnel carrier, FV4201 Chieftain battle tanks and even a C130 Hercules type aircraft.
In Aqaba, in the Red Sea, a real arsenal is deployed under water, at a maximum depth of 28 meters.
The idea for this museum?
Bring life to an area of sand poor in coral and fish, hoping that larvae will clump together in the smallest interstices.
Known for being both a soldier and a seasoned diver, King Abdallah is at the origin of this unique museum in the world, inaugurated on July 24, 2019. The devices were disarmed and cleaned up before their immersion.
For non-divers, some vehicles are visible on a sandy bottom of 7 meters, which guarantees the
In practice
About 110 € for the 2 dives.
Fins, mask, snorkel outing: €55.
Many clubs (English speaking) are installed in Aqaba.
More information: arabdivers.jo, deepbluedivecenter.com.
In Marseille, art and environmental education
Work by Christophe Charbonnel at the underwater museum in Marseille.
Credit Guillaume Ruoppolo
Ten statues, imagined by ten artists from the region are immersed in the cove of the Catalans, south of Marseille.
Poseidon, a bear, half-human, half-imaginary creatures… make up a circle spread over 400m2 called the “Albert Falco Sculpture Gallery”, in honor of the local child who became captain of the mythical Calypso.
Secure because the area is prohibited for motorboats, very close to the edge (100m), with a marker buoy, very shallow (5m), the site is free and accessible to all.
It is used regularly for operations to raise awareness of the preservation of the marine environment, whether for schools or the general public.
In practice
Underwater Museum of Marseille (MSM), Catalans beach.
Free and free access.
