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Museum of Underwater Sculpture Ayia Napa (MUSAN) is now open

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The opening of MUSAN took place with an impressive ceremony last week at Pernera beach in Ayia Napa. 

MUSAN is an aquatic treasure for Cyprus, since its uniqueness in combination with Ayia Napa’s marine environment create a special project, the like of which isn’t offered anywhere else.

© MUSAN / @JasondeCairesTaylor

The ceremony was opened by Ayia Napa’s Mayor, Christos Zannettou who stated: “I am very excited that this project is inaugurated during my time as mayor. It’s a legacy for future generations and contains many symbolisms about the alienation of humans from the environment, the relationship between different generations and climate change”.

The creation of MUSAN was a result of the joint effort of the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research, the Ayia Napa municipality and the Ministry of Tourism. In her speech, the director of the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research, Marina Argyrou, expressed her great satisfaction and excitement that a unique and innovative project that was envisioned with the Ayia Napa municipality is becoming a reality. “I firmly believe that Jason’s 93 artworks will be a haven for many sea creatures and will contribute to the development of biodiversity in the area. The underwater museum will be a living visual and ecological experience, with works of art interacting with nature and evolving over time and I’m certain it will bring people closer to the marine environment and the conservation and protection of our marine ecosystem”. The Minister of Transport, Communications, and Works and former Mayor of Ayia Napa, Yiannis Karousos also addressed the guests. “When asked what projects I am proud to have promoted or implemented during my seven-year term as Mayor of Ayia Napa, among the first I mention is the MUSAN Underwater Museum that we are inaugurating today”, said Mr. Karousos. “It’s a Mediterranean jewel created by the world-renowned artist Jason deCaires Taylor and offers visitors an unforgettable experience that demonstrates the relationship of humans with nature, the environment and the seabed.”

© MUSAN / @JasondeCairesTaylor

MUSAN is a landmark for the tourist product and the promotion of the marine environment of Cyprus, since it is an unmatched experience that combines the natural environment of the sea with art in a way that stands out. In his speech, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Savvas Perdios, stated that “diving tourism is a priority in the National Tourism Strategy 2030″.

At the new Museum of Underwater Sculpture Ayia Napa, visitors can tour an underwater forest, a world’s first. There, they will view 93 works of art by Jason deCaires Taylor, inspired by nature and humans. At the same time, the museum is a work of art in itself, in which nature will be an artist and will make its own interventions, over time. The sculptures have been designed and made with materials that attract marine life, and are placed at different depths, thus creating a suitable substrate for marine life at all levels.

© MUSAN / Costas Constantinou

The sculptures are made of inert materials, with neutral pH, so as not to adversely affect the area. It’s a sandy area, 200 meters from the coastline of Ayia Napa and it is expected that over time the biodiversity of the area will be enriched, thanks to the museum.

Museum visitors can be divers, but also swimmers with mask and snorkels. The entire project is a water journey into the relationship between man and nature, as created by the renowned Jason deCaires Taylor. The artist uses his knowledge and skills as a sculptor, marine conservationist, underwater photographer and scuba instructor to create unique works of art, which respond to the place they are put and enhance marine life.

For more information visit the MUSAN website by clicking here.

Header Image: © MUSAN / Costas Constantinou

Nick and Caroline (Frogfish Photography) are a married couple of conservation driven underwater photo-journalists and authors. Both have honours degrees from Manchester University, in Environmental Biology and Biology respectively, with Nick being a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society, a former high school science teacher with a DipEd in Teaching Studies. Caroline has an MSc in Animal Behaviour specializing in Caribbean Ecology. They are multiple award-winning photographers and along with 4 published books, feature regularly in the diving, wildlife and international press They are the Underwater Photography and Deputy Editors at Scubaverse and Dive Travel Adventures. Winners of the Caribbean Tourism Organization Photo-journalist of the Year for a feature on Shark Diving in The Bahamas, and they have been placed in every year they have entered. Nick and Caroline regularly use their free time to visit schools, both in the UK and on their travels, to discuss the important issues of marine conservation, sharks and plastic pollution. They are ambassadors for Sharks4Kids and founders of SeaStraw. They are supported by Mares, Paralenz, Nauticam and Olympus. To find out more visit www.frogfishphotography.com

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Free guided snorkel trip for serving Armed Forces members this Saturday

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To mark Armed Forces Day on Saturday 24th June 2023, PADI Dive Centre, Dive In Falmouth, is offering serving members of the Armed Forces and a guest the opportunity to enjoy a free guided snorkel around the Falmouth Coast in Cornwall.

Armed Forces Day is an annual event in the UK celebrated to commemorate the service of men and women in the British Armed Forces.

Dan McColl, a 34-year-old Falmouth resident is Lead Instructor and Founder at Dive In Falmouth. Dan is an ex Royal Marine Commando and Royal Naval Mine Clearance Diver with experience in military, commercial and recreational diver.

Dan tells us: “I have always had a passion for the ocean and am equally passionate about supporting the Armed Forces. I wanted to show my gratitude for the men and women that serve this country by giving back with a special underwater adventure this Armed Forces Day.”

Based on Castle Beach in Falmouth, Dan and his team will provide free guided snorkel trips throughout the day. Attendees will have the opportunity to discover the amazing underwater world around the stunning Cornwall coastline and depending on the weather will see incredible marine life ranging from catsharks and cuttlefish to spider crabs, seals, lobsters and lots more.

Dive In Falmouth offer a range PADI scuba diving courses from Discover Scuba Diving for complete novices through to Open Water certifications, all the way up to Divemaster.

If you are a serving member of the Armed Forces and would like to join Dan and his team for an exciting snorkelling experience, please email: Contactus@diveinfalmouth.com or call 07361 541119 to secure your space.

PADI Dive Centre, Dive In Falmouth offer a 10% discount on all their PADI courses for students, NHS workers and member of the Armed Forces throughout the year. For more information visit: www.diveinfalmouth.com

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The Suit Ocean Team leads the Ultimate Curacao Snorkeling Adventure

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By Bryan Horne
Snorkeling and scuba diving in Curacao is a dream for anyone who loves the combination of amazing beaches and the mind blowing biodiversity that exists along 104 square kilometers of its fringing coral reefs. So if you are interested in the ultimate Caribbean snorkeling adventure then keep reading as The Suit Ocean Team takes you on a one hundred kilometer snorkeling tour of Curacao’s southern shoreline.

As passionate residents of our Dutch Caribbean Island, we must congratulate The Suit Ocean Team for creating more awareness about the importance of protecting our beautiful fringing reef systems in Curacao.

The film, Curacao Underwater Kunuku (Kunuku is Papiamento for Garden), not only documents this ultimate snorkeling adventure showing you how easy it is for everyone to access and enjoy a snorkel or diving experience, but it also showcases the interaction between man and nature, highlighting the beauty of underwater life while promoting conservation, preservation and the need to protect these vital habitats.

These are the key ingredients to this beautiful short film documentary. Watch NOW and please enjoy our “CURACAO UNDERWATER KUNUKU”.

This film, produced by the Lawrence Mensa Foundation (LMF), is also available in multiple languages including: Spanish, Papiamentu, Dutch, Portuguese and German.

Images courtesy of The Suit Ocean Team
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