MUSAN in Ayia Napa: an underwater sculpture museum in Cyprus

MUSAN is the Museum of Underwater Sculpture Ayia Napa, an underwater sculpture museum near Pernera Beach in Ayia Napa. At a depth of 8–10 m, there is an underwater “forest” of 93 sculptures created by British artist Jason deCaires Taylor. The museum opened on 31 July 2021, is located about 200 m from the shore, and is accessible for scuba diving, snorkeling, and freediving.

This is not a classic museum with halls and a ticket office. MUSAN is underwater, inside a marine protected area, so the experience feels more like a walk through an underwater park: marine life gradually forms around the sculptures, and the works themselves change over time under the influence of nature.

What is MUSAN

MUSAN stands for Museum of Underwater Sculpture Ayia Napa. The project is positioned as the first underwater museum in Ayia Napa, the Republic of Cyprus, and the Mediterranean, as well as the world’s first underwater “forest” of this kind.

The main idea of MUSAN is to combine art, the sea, and ecology. The sculptures are not just placed on the seabed as decorative objects. They are made of materials that should not disturb the marine environment and are designed as a basis for the development of underwater life. Over time, algae, sponges, and other marine organisms appear on them, so the museum gradually becomes part of the reef environment.

The official MUSAN website lists the project’s key parameters: 93 sculptures, a distance of about 200 m from the shore, a maximum depth of 10 m, and the year of creation — 2021. The site also states more than 5,000 scuba divers and more than 18,000 visitors in snorkeling and freediving format.

Where MUSAN is located

MUSAN is located by Pernera Beach in Ayia Napa, about 200 m from the shore. The underwater zone is inside a Marine Protected Area, where it is important to follow water-safety rules and not damage the sculptures.

The reference point for the trip is Pernera Beach and the Ayia Napa area. You can get to the beach on your own, but for the underwater visit itself, it is recommended to contact an approved diving centre, especially if you plan a scuba dive or are going for the first time.
Location

Who created MUSAN

The author of the sculptures is Jason deCaires Taylor, a British sculptor, environmental artist, and underwater photographer. He is known for underwater installations in different countries and works at the intersection of art, nature conservation, and artificial reefs.

In MUSAN, some of the works are made in the form of trees, while others are in the form of human figures. The image of the underwater forest itself was chosen for a reason: the visitor seems to walk through a submerged avenue, where the sculptures become not an endpoint but a basis for a living marine environment.

Who implemented the project

The project was created in cooperation with the Municipality of Ayia Napa, the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research, and the Ministry of Tourism. According to MUSAN, the Municipality of Ayia Napa played a leading role in the idea of the underwater park, while the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research supported the project and took part in its funding.

The official opening of MUSAN took place on 31 July 2021 at Pernera Beach. In MUSAN’s publication about the launch of the project, it is stated that the cost of creating the museum was 1,000,000 EUR.

What the sculptures are made of

The MUSAN sculptures are made of 316 stainless steel and pH-neutral cement. These materials are used so that the installation can remain in the marine environment and gradually be colonized by marine organisms.

It is important to understand that MUSAN is designed as a living museum. Its appearance does not remain the same. Over time, the sculptures change: traces of the sea appear on them, and a new environment for fish and other marine organisms forms around them.

What you can see underwater

The main impression of MUSAN is an underwater forest. The tree sculptures create the feeling of an avenue or a route, while the human figures add a narrative element to the project. Among the works, you can see children’s figures, natural forms, and compositions that are meant to remind visitors of the connection between humans and the sea.

With good visibility, the sculptures can be viewed even while snorkeling from the surface. The official MUSAN FAQ states that snorkelers can see underwater up to 20 m, where the sculptures are located. But actual visibility depends on the weather, waves, time of day, and sea conditions.

Marine life is not guaranteed on every visit, but in the area around the museum, you may see fish, sea urchins, and other inhabitants of the coastal zone. Sea turtles are sometimes mentioned in MUSAN descriptions, but this is not a promise or a mandatory part of the visit.

How to visit MUSAN

You can visit MUSAN in three ways: through scuba diving, snorkeling, or freediving. Scuba diving requires certification, while snorkeling does not require a special certificate, but a person must be able to swim confidently and be in good physical shape.

From the shore, the safest route starts from the sandy beach near the visitor centre. You need to swim about 200 m to reach the underwater zone. By boat, the nearest departure point is Ayia Napa Harbour, but boat dives must be arranged through an approved diving centre.

The official MUSAN website does not accept direct bookings for visits. For an organized visit, you need to contact one of the approved diving centres. This is especially important for those who want to go with an instructor, rent equipment, or plan a scuba dive.

Is certification required

Certification is mandatory for scuba diving. MUSAN states that Open Water Scuba Diver or equivalent certificates from recognized organizations are suitable for scuba diving, including PADI, NAUI, CMAS, RAID, SSI, SDI, or similar systems.

Certification is not required for snorkeling. But this does not mean the format is suitable for everyone. You need to be able to stay confidently on the water, understand that there is depth beneath you, and be prepared to swim about 200 m from the beach. For safety, MUSAN recommends booking a visit through a local diving centre even for snorkeling.

How long a visit lasts

According to MUSAN, the experience for divers and snorkelers lasts about 1 hour. This is an estimate for the activity itself. The total tour time may be longer: you need to factor in travel, briefing, equipment selection, changing clothes, entering the water, and returning.

If you are going with children, with a group, or trying snorkeling for the first time, it is better not to plan MUSAN as a short stop between other activities. This is a sea activity, and you should leave some extra time for it.

How much a visit costs

MUSAN does not have a separate entrance fee. You can visit the underwater museum from the public beach for free, but this does not eliminate expenses if you go through a diving centre.

What you pay for are not “museum tickets,” but the services of a specific provider: instructor, equipment, insurance, transfer, boat, escort, scuba dive, or snorkeling tour. Therefore, there is no single official MUSAN price. Before booking, you need to check the cost with the chosen diving centre and confirm what exactly is included in the price.

For an article or trip planning, it is more correct to say: there is no entrance fee for MUSAN, but organized snorkeling and scuba diving tours are paid separately and depend on the chosen diving centre.

When to go

Diving and snorkeling at MUSAN are possible throughout the year, but the comfort of the visit depends on the weather, sea conditions, and visibility. In summer, it is better to choose morning or daytime slots, when there is more light and it is more convenient to observe the sculptures underwater.

After wind, rough seas, or bad weather, visibility may be worse. Therefore, before the trip, it is worth checking the conditions with the diving centre: they usually have a better understanding of whether it makes sense to go on a particular day.

Rules for visiting

MUSAN is located in a marine environment, so the rules here are no less important than the experience itself. The sculptures must not be touched: they are placed to serve as a habitat for marine life, and contact with them may damage the surface or disrupt the process of natural colonization.

• Do not touch the sculptures with your hands, fins, or equipment.
• Follow the recommended route if you go with a guide.
• Keep a safe distance from the tree sculptures.
• Do not swim too close to other groups.
• If you have weak buoyancy control, stay below the tree canopy level.
• Do not enter the museum area on a personal watercraft or motorboat.

Who MUSAN is suitable for

MUSAN is suitable for those who feel confident in the water and want to see Ayia Napa from a different perspective. It is a good option for certified divers, snorkeling enthusiasts, freedivers, underwater photographers, couples, and groups interested in unusual marine locations.

For small children, people without swimming skills, and those who are afraid of depth, MUSAN may be a difficult format. Even if you choose snorkeling, you need to take into account the distance from the shore, the depth, and the sea conditions.

Contacts and official information

The official project website is — musan.com.cy. MUSAN contact phone number: +357 97 707792.

Opening hours are 09:00–17:00, but for a specific visit, you need to check the schedule of the chosen diving centre.

The official website lists the contacts of diving schools /centre.

What to know before the trip

• MUSAN is underwater, not on land.
• The museum zone is about 200 m from Pernera Beach.
• The sculpture depth is about 8–10 m.
• Scuba diving requires a certificate.
• No certificate is needed for snorkeling, but you must be able to swim confidently.
• There is no entrance ticket to the museum.
• Diving centre services are paid separately.
• Visibility and safety depend on the weather and sea conditions.
• The sculptures must not be touched.
• It is better to book a visit through an approved diving centre.

Frequently asked questions

What does MUSAN mean?

MUSAN means Museum of Underwater Sculpture Ayia Napa — the underwater sculpture museum of Ayia Napa.

When did MUSAN open?

The official opening took place on 31 July 2021. The project year is 2021.

Who created the MUSAN sculptures?

The sculptures were created by Jason deCaires Taylor, a British artist working with underwater installations and environmental art.

How many sculptures are in MUSAN?

There are 93 sculptures installed in MUSAN. They form an underwater forest and are placed at a depth of about 8–10 m.

How much is admission to MUSAN?

There is no separate entrance fee. But if you go through a diving centre, you pay for the instructor, equipment, escort, scuba dive, or snorkeling tour.

Can you visit MUSAN without a diver certification?

Yes, if you choose snorkeling or freediving. For scuba diving, certification is mandatory.

Can you see the sculptures while snorkeling?

Yes, with good visibility, the sculptures can be seen from the surface. But the conditions depend on the sea, weather, and time of day.

Is MUSAN suitable for children?

The place may be suitable for teenagers and children who can swim confidently, but for small children and people without swimming skills, the format may be difficult.