Underwater Atlantic Museum opens off Spain’s Lanzarote island

For the person who gets a sinking feeling every time they set foot inside a museum, at last the perfect destination.

Accessible only to snorkelers, divers and sea life, Europe’s first underwater museum is opening in waters off the Spanish island of Lanzarote.

The Atlantic Museum, based on the seafloor of Las Coloradas bay, has begun installing a set of sculptures by international artist Jason deCaires Taylor inspired by “the defense of the ocean.”

The Atlantic Museum —

Europe's first underwater museum has opened in waters off the Spanish island of Lanzarote.

Las Coloradas —

A set of sculptures by international artist Jason deCaires Taylor have been installed on the seafloor of Las Coloradas bay. His project is inspired by "the defense of the ocean."

Everyday scenes —

His work, made from environmentally friendly concrete, portrays scenes from everyday life and is aimed at raising awareness of oceanic issues.

Real-life models —

Real-life models were used to make casts for his sculptures.

Cactus —

One of deCaires Taylor's sculptures is seen here before being submerged some 12 to 15 meters below water.

The Rubicon —

This sculpture, photographed before submersion, involves 35 walking figures and is called "The Rubicon."

Content —

A sculpture named "Content," featuring a faceless couple taking a selfie, is lowered into the sea.

International artist —

DeCaires Taylor has supplied similar sculpture installations at underwater museums in the Bahamas, Mexico and the Antilles.

Grenada —

DeCaires Taylor has a total of 65 sculptures in Moilinere Bay in Grenada.

Jason deCaires Taylor —

DeCaires Taylor creates his sculptures then photographs them. More of his work can be seen at underwatersculpture.com.

Europe's first underwater museum

Prev Next

DeCaires Taylor has supplied similar sculpture installations at underwater museums in the Bahamas, Mexico and the Antilles.

His work, made from environmentally friendly concrete, portrays scenes from everyday life and is aimed at raising awareness of oceanic issues. Submerged at depths of between 12 and 15 meters, the enigmatic human figures will help form part of an artificial reef, acting as a breeding site for local species.

The sculptures include one titled “Content” — showing a couple taking a sub-aquatic selfie. Another, “The Rubicon,” involves 35 human figures walking beneath the waves.

Submerge into mystic realm of the underwater museum

Tenerife: The Spanish island with 70 beaches and one huge volcano

Spain’s Costa Brava goes back to its roots