MUSAN Underwater Museum
Explore the world's first underwater sculpture museum in Ayia Napa, Cyprus, where art meets marine life.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, calmer seas
MUSAN Underwater Museum
Best Time
Fewer crowds, calmer seas
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Explore the world's first underwater sculpture museum in Ayia Napa, Cyprus, where art meets marine life.
"Freediving among the sculptures was both surreal and breathtaking—it truly feels like exploring an underwater gallery."
🏊 Swim Smart: Bring Gear
Snorkel masks are highly recommended for the 300m swim to the sculptures. Good swimming skills are a must!
🤿 Dive Deeper for More
While snorkeling is great, scuba diving offers a more immersive experience with the sculptures.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Sculptural Forest
Pernera Beach
Explore 93 captivating sculptures by Jason deCaires Taylor, merging art with marine life.
Living Art Gallery
6-12 meters deep
Witness how marine life colonizes the sculptures, creating a dynamic, ever-changing underwater exhibition.
Seal Encounters
Underwater
Keep an eye out for playful seals that sometimes join divers and snorkelers exploring the art.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Swim to Art: What to Know Before You Go
Timing Your Underwater Adventure
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🏊 Swim Smart: Bring Gear
Snorkel masks are highly recommended for the 300m swim to the sculptures. Good swimming skills are a must! +1
🤿 Dive Deeper for More
While snorkeling is great, scuba diving offers a more immersive experience with the sculptures. +1
☀️ Beat the Heat & Crowds
Visit in the morning to avoid the midday sun and peak tourist times.
📸 Capture the Magic
Underwater cameras or waterproof phone cases are essential for documenting this unique art. 
Tips
from all over the internet
🏊 Swim Smart: Bring Gear
Snorkel masks are highly recommended for the 300m swim to the sculptures. Good swimming skills are a must! +1
🤿 Dive Deeper for More
While snorkeling is great, scuba diving offers a more immersive experience with the sculptures. +1
☀️ Beat the Heat & Crowds
Visit in the morning to avoid the midday sun and peak tourist times.
📸 Capture the Magic
Underwater cameras or waterproof phone cases are essential for documenting this unique art.
🌊 Check Sea Conditions
Strong waves can make the swim challenging. Check local conditions before heading out.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors describe MUSAN as a magical and unforgettable experience, praising the unique blend of art and marine life. The underwater sculptures create a surreal gallery, with many highlighting the beauty of nature reclaiming the art. While the swim can be challenging, the reward is a truly unique adventure.
"This was simply magical - you enter through the gate, keep on going and then you find it.
There's 3 gray floating decks in the distance - each 50 meters further than the previous, relative to land. The museum is situated at about 5m deep in between deck 2 and 3 and is an assortment of statues and sculptures that represent people, fishing traps? + balloon-like plants and huge sea urchin-like thingymabobs.
Easy for regular swimmers when there's little waves to none, and even with those if using the decks as checkpoints to catch their breath and relax (just keep in mind that you are the only one held responsible if anything happens)"
PumpKPie
"The Musa Underwater Museum is an unforgettable experience! Freediving among the sculptures was both surreal and breathtaking—it truly feels like exploring an underwater gallery. The combination of art and marine life makes it absolutely magical. A must-do for anyone who loves the ocean!"
CT
"To reach the underwater park you need to swim about 300m, snorkeling masks are recommended.
You can also see it underwater, there are many scuba diving places that take you in the warer to explore."
Panayiotis Makedonas
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The MUSAN Underwater Museum is located off Pernera Beach in Ayia Napa. You'll need to swim approximately 300 meters from the shore to reach the sculptures, which are situated between 6-12 meters deep.
Yes, there is parking available near Pernera Beach, which serves as the access point for MUSAN. From there, you'll begin your swim.
While the primary access is by swimming, some diving centers might offer boat excursions that can get you closer to the sculpture site for diving or snorkeling. It's best to check with local dive operators.
The most common way is to swim from Pernera Beach. Snorkeling gear is highly recommended for comfort and visibility during the swim. +1
Many local dive schools and tour operators in Ayia Napa offer guided snorkeling and scuba diving trips to MUSAN, which can be a convenient option.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
There is no direct admission fee for MUSAN itself, as it's an open underwater space. However, you may incur costs for equipment rental (snorkeling gear, dive equipment) or guided tours.
MUSAN is accessible whenever the sea conditions permit. It's an open-air underwater museum, so there are no set opening or closing times, but daylight hours are best for visibility.
The cost is primarily related to equipment rental or organized tours. Prices for snorkel gear rental can vary, and scuba diving trips will be more expensive.
No, to see the sculptures, you must swim to them. They are located about 300 meters offshore.
While accessible year-round, October and November offer fewer crowds and calmer seas. Summer can be very busy.
🎫 🐠 Onsite Experience
MUSAN features 93 sculptures by artist Jason deCaires Taylor, representing human figures, trees, and marine-inspired forms, designed to interact with the underwater environment.
The sculptures are located at depths ranging from 6 to 12 meters (approximately 19 to 39 feet) below the surface.
The sculptures are designed to attract marine life, so you can expect to see various fish, corals, and potentially even seals.
For snorkeling, strong swimming skills are essential due to the distance and potential waves. Scuba diving requires certification. +1
Absolutely! Many visitors capture stunning underwater photos and videos. Ensure you have waterproof equipment.
📸 📸 Photography
An underwater camera like a GoPro or a dedicated underwater housing for your phone is ideal. Ensure it's waterproof and has good low-light capabilities.
Shoot with the sun behind you if possible for better lighting. Get close to the sculptures to capture details and the marine life interacting with them.
Yes, if you have a reliable waterproof case or pouch for your smartphone. Many visitors use their iPhones for underwater shots.
Midday generally offers the best natural light penetration underwater. However, early morning or late afternoon can provide softer light and fewer crowds.
Ensure your lens is clean before entering the water. Moving slowly and steadily will help reduce sediment disturbance, leading to clearer shots.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
For younger children or less confident swimmers, MUSAN might be too challenging. However, the boat trips offered by some dive centers could be an alternative, allowing them to see the area from above or potentially participate in a very shallow, supervised snorkeling experience. Always prioritize safety and assess your children's swimming abilities before committing to the swim.
💰 Budget Travelers
To save further, pack your own snacks and water, as options near the beach might be limited or pricier. Consider visiting during the shoulder seasons (like October/November) when accommodation and other tourist services in Ayia Napa might be more affordable.
📸 Photography Enthusiasts
+1Aim for midday for the best natural light. Experiment with different angles, getting close to the sculptures to highlight the textures and the marine organisms that inhabit them. The interaction between art and nature provides endless creative possibilities.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Art of MUSAN: Jason deCaires Taylor's Vision
+1Taylor's work at MUSAN is a deliberate effort to draw attention to the ocean's fragility and the impact of human activity. By submerging these creations, he aims to create new habitats for marine species, effectively turning a man-made structure into a thriving ecosystem. Visitors can witness firsthand how coral, algae, and fish colonize the sculptures, transforming them into living, breathing works of art. This unique approach makes each visit to MUSAN a different experience, as the underwater landscape constantly evolves.
+1The location off Pernera Beach was chosen for its calm waters and suitability for both snorkeling and diving. The sculptures are strategically placed to be accessible yet protected, allowing for exploration without causing undue harm to the marine environment. The project represents a significant contribution to both art and conservation, offering a truly unique and thought-provoking experience for all who venture beneath the waves.
+1Experiencing MUSAN: Snorkeling vs. Diving
Scuba diving provides a more immersive and detailed experience of the MUSAN museum. Certified divers can descend to the sculptures, getting up close to appreciate the intricate details of Jason deCaires Taylor's work and observe the marine life that has made the sculptures their home. Many local dive centers offer guided dives to MUSAN, which can be ideal for those who want to maximize their experience and learn more about the art and the underwater environment.
+1Regardless of your chosen method, checking the sea conditions is crucial. Calm waters will make the swim or dive much more enjoyable and safer. For those who are not certified divers but wish for a closer look, some operators might offer introductory dives or guided snorkeling tours that provide flotation devices and assistance.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit