The Maldives introduces the world’s first semi-submerged museum, a groundbreaking fusion of art and the ocean.

Known for its bold underwater projects, the Maldives continues to push boundaries with innovative aquatic endeavors.

Earlier this year, the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island revealed plans for an undersea residence, said to be the first of its kind—partially submerged beneath the waves.

Now, there’s even more to explore below the surface: the world’s first semi-submerged museum has opened its doors.

Nestled in the Shaviyani Atoll, the Coralarium – an underwater sculpture park and marine sanctuary – is a collaboration between the Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi and British environmental artist Jason deCaires Taylor.

"The Coralarium serves as a hub for conservation, education, and the preservation of marine life. Alongside the resort, we aim to promote awareness of the vital importance of protecting the coral reefs of the Maldives," said Taylor in a statement.

"My goal is to inspire a brighter future for our oceans, encouraging people to view them as fragile ecosystems deserving of our care and protection."

Exploring Underwater Realms

The park features around 30 sculptures, all modeled after real people. Situated in a lagoon about 50 meters from the resort’s shore, the semi-submerged gallery offers a unique underwater experience.

Visitors are greeted by a mesmerizing corridor of underwater poplar tree sculptures, with a gleaming stainless steel stairwell guiding them into an expansive, cube-shaped art gallery.

The sculptures are distributed across three distinct levels, with many featuring roots for legs, drawing inspiration from the Maldives' native mushrooms and banyan trees.

In the Zone

Situated in the intertidal zone – the area that is exposed during low tide and submerged during high tide – the cube and several sculptures spend part of each day above the waterline.

This unique setting allows snorkelers, divers, and even beachgoers to enjoy the art from above or below the water’s surface.

Currently, visitors can experience the park through a guided tour led by the resort’s resident marine biologist.

A Marine Sanctuary

Jason deCaires Taylor, also the creator of the world’s first underwater sculpture park—the Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park in Grenada—designed the sculptures in the Maldives to serve as habitats for both marine creatures and humans.

To ensure his artwork would foster marine life, Taylor constructed the 200-ton gallery structure from pH-neutral, marine-grade stainless steel, while the sculptures themselves are crafted from marine-grade cement.

As time passes, algae will gradually cover the cement sculptures, helping integrate the gallery into the underwater ecosystem.

In addition to the sculptures, the resort has initiated coral regeneration efforts to promote the growth of marine life around the art installations.

"One of the most humbling aspects of our work is realizing that once we place the sculptures underwater, they no longer belong to us," said Taylor.

"The moment they are submerged, they become part of the sea, and nature takes charge."