THE UNDERWATER MUSEUM OF ART: A LIVING REEF
Just under one nautical mile from the beautiful sandy beaches of Grayton Beach State Park in the gulf waters of Florida, lies a garden of unique sculptures that serves man and marine life. Aptly named, The Underwater Museum of Art (UMA). The growing garden celebrates the creativity of humankind but also highlights the importance of protecting our oceans.
The sculptures are designed to be artificial reefs that support life.
Artificial reefs are not a new thing; the man-made reefs can come in all forms and sizes. Most are created using concrete, metal or stone. The options are limitless. Even old sunken tankers and ships are being re-purposed as havens for sea life. The underwater transformation is nicely demonstrated in an UMA online video: Art Sculpture Growth
Florida’s Underwater Museum of Art is an exemplary example of a collective vision fueled by passion and mission, in support of ecology and the cultural arts. It is the first underwater permanent sculpture exhibit of its kind in the United States. The museum has been granted one acre of sea bed for future exhibit expansion.
Fast Fact: More than one hundred species of animal and plant life have been observed and documented in the short time that UMA artwork has been in place – UMA
In less than ten years, the Underwater Museum of Art has seen tremendous growth and received countless accolades. There have been six exhibit deployments to date. It took a village to make the dream a reality. The Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA) and the South Walton Artificial Reef Association (SWARA) partnered to develop the initial “Art in Public Places” project. It grew and evolved to something much bigger with funding support from Visit South Walton, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Alys Foundation, and Visit Florida.
The museum’s official website showcases current and past art works. A dedicated online exhibits page provides images, artist information and sculpture descriptive. Check out the museum’s dedicated YouTube channel to see videos of past deployments and specific artworks. Elise Gilbert’s “Sea How We Flow” sculpture is one of my favorites.
The new exhibit with five original pieces was announced in late December 2024. A UMA press release offers details. Weather permitting , the formal 7th deployment will be scheduled for late July or August. The deployment is an incredible feat. It can take up to a full day for one piece to be hoisted by crane, tranferred by boat and finally set to its final resting place.
The Menina of the Reef Sculpture has a special message of hope for those battling cancer.
A live stream video of the event will be available on the UMA website so viewers from around the world can tune-in. The creative eco-celebration is not to be missed!
A call for submissions for 2026 will be posted soon
Artists can learn more about the application and selection process from a past UMA online video.. YouTube Link: Call to Artists
Visitors must be certified divers in order to access the park at depth
The museum is currently only accessible as a dive location, approximately sixty feet below the water surface. . Experienced snorkelers can view the museum from a comfortable depth above the installations. Coordinates to the dive site can be found on the interactive map page.
A recommended UMA partner diving company, DIVE 30A, operates tours directly out of Grayton Beach State Park. Emerald Coast Scuba in Destin also offers regularly scheduled trips to the dive site and can schedule private charters.
If diving is not your thing, the annual fundraiser preview art party is a fabulous option. The timing is usually late April or early May. The beach soiree will not disappoint. Just remember to secure your ticket and accommodations well in advance. UMA hosts other art-inspired events throughout the year. Be sure to check the UMA website for updates. Sign up for email alerts at the bottom of the UMA news page.
Below are three Sandestin/Grand Boulevard area hotels for consideration:
The Visit South Walton Tourism website has links to all available lodging options, from private rentals to resort properties.
Special incentive for a summer visit: Enjoy free admission to Grayton Beach State Park through Labor Day, courtesy of Visit South Walton. Open from early morning to sunset. But be advised, this popular park can exceed capacity on weekends and limit access. Best to contact park in advance for updates.
Florida is not alone as a home to a unique deep sea attraction. There are underwater museums all over the world. PADI, the professional association of diving instructors, shares the recommended top ten on their blog. UMA makes the cut. An impressive list with amazing images! Worth a read: 10 Amazing Underwater Museum Dives by Danielle Schofield.
A YouTube video by Anthony Leydet gives viewers a special look at the solemn undersea world of the Canary Island’s Museo Atlántico, Europe’s first underwater museum (2016).
Each museum is a diver’s paradise in its own right. Unique, mysterious and brimming with marine life. More than enough incentive to discover the sport of diving! Most museums work with partners to offer diving certification classes. So, why not combine a vacation to a fabulous destination with an incredible learning experience?
Underwater adventure has now expanded to underwater vacations. Aquanaut Aquanautic Adventures, a North Carolina based company, will be offering underwater tiny house lodging in the Caribbean for $1000-$1500 per night. The overnight stay includes the creature comforts of home including Wi-Fi and catered meals.
“Our underwater tiny houses, also called underwater habitats, offer a way for scuba divers and adventurous non-scuba divers to glamp underwater for a few nights to take in the ocean’s wonder and the beauty of coral reefs.” – Ivan Francis, a Co-founder of Aquanautic Adventures
The world of travel experiences keeps getting bigger, better and beyond imagination. Next up…Space Travel?
Photos and select videos courtesy of The Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County and Spring Run Media.
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