Scuba Diving Art

Scuba diving art and depictions of the underwater world always make me think about the ocean and how badly I want to jump into the water again to dive.

For thousands of years, humans have gone diving by different means. For just as long, artists have tried to capture these moments.

From paintings to sketches, photos, videos, and graffiti on walls, today we are going to explore scuba diving art in all shapes and sizes!

General scuba diving art

Where to buy scuba diving art

The best places to buy scuba diving art are Amazon, Etsy, and eBay.

Dive Sites Featuring Art

Here are some of the most well-known underwater museums and dive sites featuring art installations.

You’ll notice that many of them were designed and created by the likes of Jason deCaires Taylor.

MUSA (Museo Subacuático de Arte), Cancún, Mexico

Located in Cancún, Mexico, this underwater museum features sculptures by Jason deCaires Taylor and other artists.

It’s probably the most well-known dive site featuring underwater sculptures and art installations in the world. This also makes it one of the most famous artificial reef projects in the world.

It features over 500 life-sized sculptures, aimed at promoting coral growth and providing a unique dive experience. The sculptures vary from human figures in various poses to vehicles and even household items.

Depth: The depth varies but is generally around 8 to 12 meters, making it accessible to divers of all levels. You can also go freediving and snorkeling here.

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Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park, Grenada

Situated in Grenada, this was the world’s first underwater sculpture park, also created by Jason deCaires Taylor.

It is famous for its large number of statues of all sizes.

The park includes various installations such as “Vicissitudes,” a circle of life-sized children holding hands, and “The Lost Correspondent,” depicting a man sitting at a desk with a typewriter.

Depth: Most of the sculptures are at a depth of 5 to 12 meters, making them suitable for snorkeling, freediving, and diving.

Budha Gardens, Indonesia

There are many underwater statues to explore in Indonesia. It woud be impossible to list them all here, but local dive guides will know.

Bali Gili Underwater Sculpture Garden

Located in Bali, Indonesia, these sculptures were sunk to help reef regeneration but are also a draw for divers interested in underwater art.

They were created by Indonesian artists and include mythical figures and various other forms.

Depth: Generally shallow, around 9 to 12 meters, making it accessible for divers of all levels.

Christ of the Abyss

Although not initially intended as an art piece, this submerged bronze statue of Jesus Christ has become iconic. It shows him with his arms outstretched in a sign of peace.

You can find it in various places, including the Mediterranean Sea near Italy and off the coast of Key Largo in Florida.

Depth: The depth varies by location. The Italian installation is at about 17 meters deep, while the Florida one is at a shallower depth of about 10 meters, making it also suitable for freedivers.

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Museum of Underwater Sculpture, Cyprus

Another sculpture site designed by British sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor, the Museum of Underwater Sculpture in Cyprus is Europe’s first underwater museum.

Sculptures are crafted with environmentally friendly materials and are strategically placed to encourage coral growth and provide a refuge for marine life. Themes in this museum include not only human figures but also various objects, plants, and abstract forms.

Depth: The museum is situated at depths ranging from 10 to 12 meters, making it accessible to divers of all levels, as well as free divers and snorkelers.

Aqaba Underwater Military Museum

The brand-new underwater military museum in Aqaba has become a big attraction for scuba divers from all over the world.

At over 20 dive sites you can find (deliberately) sunken military vehicles, tanks, trucks, ships, jets, and other artifacts.

Depth: Depth ranges from 8-20m at most dive sites and all levels of divers will enjoy diving here!

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Historical Paintings

Thematic Art Exhibits and Galleries

Some galleries and museums occasionally feature art exhibits focused on underwater exploration, including scuba diving.

Cartoons & Books

Other Forms of Art

Underwater Photography and Videography

There are many underwater photographers who share their work online and elsewhere. From amateurs to professional wildlife explorers, you can find any level of quality and topic here.

Check out some of the best scuba diving social media channels for inspiration!

Film and Documentaries

Movies like “The Big Blue” and documentaries like “Planet Earth” depict diving to some extent, and although not traditional “art,” they contribute to the cultural significance of scuba diving.

If you’re interested, check out our list of the best diving movies!

Famous Scuba Artists

1. Wyland – Renowned for his large-scale murals of underwater life, Wyland’s work often includes depictions of divers interacting with marine animals. Although he focuses more on marine life, the presence of divers is a common theme.
2. Jason deCaires Taylor – Known for his underwater sculptures which eventually serve as artificial reefs, some of his work includes sculptures of people in diving positions or gear, effectively combining art and scuba diving. His work can be found in various locations including Grenada, Mexico, and the Canary Islands.
3. Pascal Lecocq – Known as “The Painter of Blue,” Lecocq often includes scuba divers in his whimsical and sometimes surreal paintings of underwater scenes.
4. Dimitri Rebikoff – Known for his underwater photography, he captured images of the underwater world, including divers, as far back as the 1950s.
5. Doug Aitken – Created an installation called “Underwater Pavilions,” which although not directly depicting scuba divers, was meant to be experienced by them.