Ayia Napa, Cyprus Expands 2026 Tourism With MUSAN’s Underwater Big Sculpture Reef

Written By: Abhirup Gan

Abhirup Gan

I'm Abhirup Gan, a Mass Communication graduate and digital marketing professional. Driven by a passion for storytelling, I create insightful, research-led content that explores tourism trends, destination stories, and hospitality developments with depth and clarity. Through my writing, I hope to inspire readers to discover not only where to travel, but the stories, cultures, and experiences that make every journey meaningful.

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September 12, 2026 11:20 GMT+5:30

Tourism in Cyprus during the late summer and early fall of 2026 will be enhanced through the addition of an underwater experience to complement the existing coastal offerings in the region with the Museum of Underwater Sculpture Ayia Napa (MUSAN). Visitors can experience art pieces underwater along with marine life. The Museum of Underwater Sculpture Ayia Napa (MUSAN) is situated off the coast of Ayia Napa.

MUSAN Creates an Underwater Cultural Attraction

MUSAN is situated in the waters of Ayia Napa and features a collection of submerged sculptures created by British artist Jason deCaires Taylor. The museum opened in 2021 and was designed as an underwater cultural and ecological attraction.

The collection consists of 93 works positioned between two and 10 metres below the surface. The sculptures were created using pH-neutral materials intended to encourage marine organisms to colonise their surfaces, allowing the underwater environment to change naturally over time.

The site covers an area extending from the shoreline towards the open sea. Visitors can experience the collection through scuba diving or snorkelling, making it accessible to travellers with different levels of underwater experience.

The sculptures depict human figures, trees and other forms that interact with the surrounding marine environment. Their placement creates an underwater route in which visitors move between individual artworks while observing fish and other marine organisms.

For tourism, the attraction provides an alternative way to experience Ayia Napa’s coastline. Instead of viewing the Mediterranean solely from beaches or boats, visitors can enter the water and explore a purpose-designed underwater environment.

Marine Life Develops Around the Sculptures

The materials and structure of the sculptures are intended to support marine colonisation. Over time, algae, corals and other organisms can attach to the surfaces, while fish use the structures as shelter and habitat.

MUSAN describes the project as both an artistic installation and an artificial reef. The underwater environment continues to evolve according to local marine conditions, meaning the appearance of the sculptures can change as biological growth develops.

The ecological dimension is particularly relevant for visitors interested in marine environments. Snorkellers and divers can observe the relationship between the artworks and the surrounding seabed while following designated routes through the collection.

The museum’s location also places it within a wider area of marine tourism. Ayia Napa and nearby Protaras are established bases for boat excursions, diving, snorkelling and other water-based activities, while Cape Greco provides additional coastal and natural attractions.

Underwater Tourism Adds Depth to Ayia Napa

Ayia Napa is widely associated with beaches and summer holidays, but MUSAN creates a cultural attraction beneath the surface. The museum adds contemporary art and marine exploration to the destination’s existing tourism portfolio.

Visitors can reach the museum through local diving and snorkelling operators, with excursions available for different visitor groups. Scuba divers can explore the deeper sections of the collection, while snorkellers can experience many of the sculptures from shallower water.

The underwater setting means conditions can influence access and visibility. Travellers planning an excursion should therefore check sea conditions, operator schedules and equipment requirements before visiting.

The museum is also suitable for travellers combining several activities during a Cyprus holiday. A day in Ayia Napa can include an underwater excursion alongside coastal walks, beach visits, archaeological attractions and dining in the surrounding area.

Jason deCaires Taylor’s Work Connects Art and Nature

The MUSAN project forms part of a wider body of underwater sculpture installations by Jason deCaires Taylor, whose works have been placed in marine environments in several countries.

At Ayia Napa, the artist designed the sculptures specifically for their underwater location. The works include human forms and organic structures that create visual links between art, landscape and marine ecosystems.

The submerged trees are among the most recognisable elements of the museum. Their branches provide additional surfaces for marine growth, while the sculptures positioned around them create an underwater landscape for divers and snorkellers.

The project also creates a gradual transformation of the artworks. Unlike conventional museum pieces displayed in controlled indoor environments, the sculptures are exposed to biological growth, water movement and changing marine conditions.

Cyprus Builds Marine Tourism Around the Mediterranean

Cyprus recorded strong tourism activity during the first half of 2026. According to the Statistical Service of Cyprus, tourist arrivals reached 1,963,934 between January and June 2026, representing an increase of 11.3 per cent compared with the corresponding period of 2025.

June alone recorded 582,029 tourist arrivals, 13.7 per cent higher than June 2025. The United Kingdom remained the largest source market during the month, followed by Israel, Poland, Germany and Sweden.

The figures provide a broader context for the island’s continued tourism activity during the 2026 season. Attractions such as MUSAN contribute an additional cultural and nature-based dimension to coastal destinations receiving international visitors.

Planning an Ayia Napa Underwater Visit

MUSAN should coordinate their activities through authorised scuba or snorkelling companies in addition to adhering to safety procedures. The underwater nature of the museum makes it essential to have appropriate equipment as well as the right certification for scuba diving. The site may form part of a bigger trip itinerary to southeastern Cyprus. Ayia Napa, Protaras, and Cape Greco are all near enough to include as part of a multi-day itinerary, and other coastal sites offer more chances for water activities. For visitors arriving between late summer and early autumn, MUSAN offers a unique tourism experience combining modern art, underwater adventures and marine ecosystem creation. There are 93 statues sunk in the waters to create an ever-changing environment where cultural and marine tourism happen in the same spot. As Cyprus continues to attract tourists in 2026, MUSAN becomes a unique experience for Ayia Napa, adding another layer of tourism beyond the seaside variety.