• ABOUT THE SPOT

Scuba Diving in Manchones Reef, Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo Mexico

Schools:
Yes
Museum's covered area:
150 m² / 1614 ft²
Depth:
28 ft / 8.5 m
Galleries:
12
Isla Mugeres is an amazing island in the Caribbean Sea. It is located approximately 13 km / 8 mi off the Yucatan Peninsula. The island is 7 km / 4 mi long, 650 m / 2130 ft wide and it is part of the Isla Mujeres Municipality in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico.

A visit in Isla Mujeres gives you several opportunities to enjoy yourself in an utterly different way. Although it is a small island, its beauty makes this place a top tourist destination. It is the underwater sculpture museum that makes this spot famous as one of the best places for scuba diving.

Photo of Jason DeCaires Taylor

The underwater museum is located a few steps away from the Manchones Reef. Today, Isla Mujeres boasts not only crystal water and flora diversity but also the largest underwater museum, whose purpose is to promote marine life. It covers more than 150 m² / 1614 ft²  in a depth of 28 ft / 8.5 m. The underwater museum was created to counteract the effects of climate change in the waters and reef systems of this place. In pursuit for the best way to stress the local reef system without closing the national underwater park, the principals of Mexico in collaboration with a talented artist created this museum, which is consisted of 12 galleries, containing nearly 1364 artificial habitats.

Photo of Jason DeCaires Taylor

It is separated into two parts. The first one is in shallow waters and the other in deep waters. The latter can be seen by experienced divers. Those who don’t want to take a deep into the ocean, can take a ride in a glass bottomed boat and catch all the action from the surface.

You will have the chance to admire about 400 clay statutes all installed on the sea floor and created by pH neutral marine concrete and artificial coral reefs, boosting the ecosystem of the area. Until now, the museum comprises of Silent Evolution, which is a stunning site of over 400 life-size sculptures.

Photo of Jason DeCaires Taylor

The Garden of Hope, which is located 4 m / 13 ft below the surface, shows a young woman lying on a garden patio surrounded by vivid coral-filled vessels.

Photo of Jason DeCaires Taylor

Man on Fire sits at 8 m / 26 ft below the surface and shows a man with 75 holes planted with fire coral.

Photo of Jason DeCaires Taylor

Dream Collector includes many bottles that contain messages of encouragement. One of these messages is “May our hearts, never become as hard as our heads”.

Photo of Jason DeCaires Taylor

You will also see sculptures of an 85-year old nun, a 3-year boy and many other stunning statues. The message that this action represents is that as a unity we can achieve many things.

Maybe you’ve heard many things about this impressive spot, but only when you will visit it, you will understand what we are talking about. It is simply amazing!!!