2-Tank MUSA Underwater Museum & Reef Dive

While the main attraction at MUSA is the surreal underwater sculpture garden, the site has also become a thriving artificial reef that supports a growing variety of marine life. As you weave through the 400+ sculptures, keep an eye out for:

• Colorful reef fish like damselfish, angelfish, sergeant majors, parrotfish, and butterflyfish
• Spiny lobsters hiding in crevices of the sculptures
• Southern stingrays and the occasional eagle ray gliding gracefully across the sandy seafloor
• Barracudas, grunts, and snapper patrolling the area
• Green and hawksbill sea turtles, especially closer to Manchones Reef, which you’ll also dive on this tour
• Octopuses, nudibranchs, and urchins tucked among the coral growth forming on the sculptures

Because MUSA was designed to support coral and sponge colonization, you’ll also notice a mix of soft and hard corals beginning to cover the art, attracting even more biodiversity over time.

MUSA is unlike any other dive site in the world. It's a unique fusion of art, environmental science, and marine conservation. Established in 2010, the project was created to draw divers and snorkelers away from the over-visited natural reefs of Cancun and Isla Mujeres, giving those ecosystems time to recover. What sets MUSA apart:

• 400+ life-size sculptures submerged on the seafloor, many created by artist Jason deCaires Taylor, form an eerie yet beautiful underwater world
• Sculptures are made from marine-grade, pH-neutral concrete that encourages coral growth and acts as an artificial reef
• The experience combines culture, conservation, and adventure—making it ideal for divers who want something more meaningful than a typical reef dive
• It’s accessible to all certified divers, thanks to its shallow max depth of around 27 feet (8 meters) and calm conditions

The result is a one-of-a-kind dive that’s both visually stunning and ecologically important.

Diving at MUSA and around Cancun is possible year-round, thanks to the warm Caribbean waters and generally calm seas. However, the best time to dive is typically from November to May, during the dry season, when visibility is at its peak and water temperatures range from 78–82°F (25–28°C).

Here’s a breakdown:

• November–May (Dry Season): Best visibility, calmer seas, and lower humidity. Ideal for diving, especially December through April.
• June–October (Rainy Season): Warmer water temps up to 85°F (29°C), but higher chances of rain, swells, and reduced visibility. Hurricane season also falls in this period (mainly August–October), so trips can occasionally be affected.

Year-round, you’ll enjoy mild currents, short boat rides, and a dive depth suitable for newer divers and photographers alike.

Flying directly after scuba diving is incredibly dangerous and could result in a life-threatening illness called the Bends/Decompression Sickness. The Divers Alert Network (DAN) guidelines for flying after diving include:

• A single no-decompression dive, a minimum preflight surface or any driving to above 1000 ft (305 m) interval of 12 hours suggested.
• Multiple dives per day or multiple days of diving, a minimum preflight surface or any driving to above 1000ft (305m) interval of 18 hours is suggested.
• Dives requiring decompression stops are recommended to have longer than 18 hours.

Please discuss with your dive guide ahead of time what is suggested!

Any activity that brings you above 1000 ft (305 m) can trigger the Bends/Decompression Sickness. Please check your hike elevation to ensure that at no time you will be going up in elevation. If the hike does go to elevation, you must treat it like a preflight interval as listed above in the flying FAQ.

Common sunscreens contain chemicals that can harm coral reefs, as the particles are small enough to be absorbed by corals, causing toxicity and coral bleaching. Reef-friendly sunscreens are formulated without these harmful chemicals. Reef-SAFE sunscreens go a step further by using non-nano particles, which are too large for corals to ingest, helping to preserve marine ecosystems. 

Please avoid sunscreens with oxybenzone, octinoxate, and parabens. Consider wearing sun-protective clothing, like long-sleeve rash guards, as an alternative to sunscreen. If you choose a mineral-based sunscreen, ensure it is labeled ‘non-nano.’

You can dive with a beard or mustache but it can prevent a tight seal between the mask and your face, which may cause water to leak in. It is often recommended to shave at least your mustache before diving. If you’d prefer not to shave your mustache, please bring petroleum jelly or chapstick with you. If you coat your mustache in that chapstick or jelly, it may be able to seal and prevent water from getting in.

Glasses cannot be worn while diving, but contacts are perfectly fine and recommended for the best experience. Prescription masks are not available for rent, but you are welcome to bring your own.

Additionally, there is an automatic correction effect that occurs underwater due to light refraction, making things appear clearer, but contacts or a personal prescription mask will provide the best visibility.