I have deep admiration for those who can go out and even engage in special forces-style tourism on scorching hot days when the temperature easily reaches over 30 degrees Celsius. However, some people choose to travel off-season and take a summer vacation in a destination that is free from the heat.

The following museum is also a summer resort because it is located underwater – the Museo Atlántico is situated about 14 meters deep in the waters near Lanzarote, Spain. This 50m x 50m underwater area is home to over 300 sculptures.

35 life-size sculptures are “moving” in the same direction, creating a spectacular scene. The inspiration for this work comes from the painting “The Raft of the Medusa” by Théodore Géricault, which depicts the pain and suffering of shipwreck survivors and the plight of refugees.

These sculptures are all created by British sculptor and professional underwater photographer Jason deCaires Taylor, who is the founder of the underwater museum and is well-known for it. Taylor’s original intention was to provide the public with an opportunity to have close contact with marine life and to view the underwater world from a different perspective. He also hoped to use the appearance of local people and the common global environmental protection issues as inspiration to create works with strong storytelling elements that question the commercialization of marine resources. Through this, he aims to awaken people’s awareness of protecting the ocean and convey the concept of “coexisting with nature and protecting marine resources.”

Therefore, the underwater museum is not just about placing sculptures in the sea. Taylor uses environmentally friendly concrete that is harmless to the marine environment and organisms, which makes these works not only sculptures but also artificial reefs that can become habitats for marine animals and plants. Over time, these sculptures will become the base for coral growth, attract schools of fish, and establish new ecosystems, all of which are the result of the collaboration between the artist and nature.
A new coral has covered the sculpture of a human figure, located near the island of Lanzarote. The Atlantic Museum, located in the nearby waters, is Europe’s first underwater museum. In addition, Taylor’s underwater museums are located in 15 different places around the world, including Cancun, Mexico, the West Indies, the Panama Islands, and Cannes, France. The underwater museum located off the coast of Grenada was the world’s first and was once named one of the “25 Wonders of the World” by National Geographic magazine, as shown in the pictures.

Since the first underwater museum was built in 2016, over 500,000 people from around the world visit each year to explore the various underwater museums. Whether or not you know how to scuba dive, there is a way for you to visit. Most visitors leave five-star reviews on “foreign version of Yelp” Tripadvisor. The mysterious and surprising underwater world brings endless surprises to people and has become a must-visit destination for many travelers.

Travelers’ reviews are shown in the pictures.



Taylor’s Underwater Museum is a mobile exhibition where sculptures are surrounded by marine life. Different visitors dive in and wander around, experiencing unique and unforgettable scenery. This is the precious value of having a regenerating ocean. The artist’s creation is aimed at keeping these underwater museums open forever, making the ocean sustainable, and allowing life and beauty to continue to flow.

Check out more works and information about the Underwater Museum on the artist’s homepage: