Mexico ready to launch world’s largest underwater museum
By Katie | National Geographic
January 7, 2011
Four hundred life-sized sculptures have now been submerged off the coast of Cancun in Mexico to create the world’s largest underwater museum in hopes of luring tourists away from the fragile coral reefs and towards something just as unique.
British artist Jason deCaires Taylor was chosen for the project, one that will hopefully reduce the impact of over 500,000 tourists a year visiting the Isla Mujeres National Marine Park in Cancun. The life-sized human sculptures are made out of pH-neutral concrete which attracts algae and other marine life which both changes the look of the sculptures and boosts the local ecosystem at the same time.
The museum is funded by Cancun’s environmental ministry and is free for visitors. Sculptures are accessible by snorkel or dive. Fly British Airways direct from London to Cancun. Other underwater museums include: “Herod’s Harbor” off the coastal city of Caesarea in Israel, the Underwater City of Cleopatra in Alexandria, Shipwreck Train in Florida, and China’s newly opened Baiheliang Underwater Museum.
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