A Maldives luxury resort that costs up to $3,800 a night has opened an underwater sculpture museum and the photos are otherworldly

maldives coralarium

Jason deCaires Taylor

You'll have to snorkel out to visit this underwater sculpture garden in the Maldives.

  • A Maldives luxury resort has opened the tropical nation's first underwater sculpture garden.
  • The Sculpture Coralarium sits in the center of the largest developed coral lagoon in the Maldives, at the Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi resort.
  • You have to snorkel out 100 meters to visit the submerged museum.
  • Staying at the Sirru Fen Fushi resort costs between $760 and $3,838 per night.

A luxury resort in the Maldives has opened the nation's first underwater sculpture museum.Advertisement
Visitors can snorkel 100 meters out from the beach to swim among the 22 otherworldly sculptures, Melanie Hoefler, a representative for Fairmont Maldives, told Business Insider.

The underwater museum, inspired by marine life, is a collaboration between British artist Jason deCaires Taylor and the Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi resort. It was created to bring attention to the threat of climate change.

Take a tour of the structure below, which the artist calls "a symbolic pathway to another world."
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The underwater museum is located at the Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi resort on the island of Gaakoshibee.

The underwater museum is located at the Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi resort on the island of Gaakoshibee.

Source: Jason deCaires Taylor

It took five months to install the gallery on the island.

It took five months to install the gallery on the island.

Source: Jason deCaires Taylor

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'Visitors can explore it while snorkeling out from the beach to the museum, a distance of about 100 meters,' Hoefler said.

'Visitors can explore it while snorkeling out from the beach to the museum, a distance of about 100 meters,' Hoefler said.

Source: Melanie Hoefler, Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi

After snorkeling for five to 10 minutes, you'll reach an underwater staircase that leads up toward the semi-submerged building.

After snorkeling for five to 10 minutes, you'll reach an underwater staircase that leads up toward the semi-submerged building.

Source: Jason deCaires Taylor

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The cube-shaped building is nearly 20 feet tall, and the front facade is submerged in about 10 feet of water, depending on the tide.

The cube-shaped building is nearly 20 feet tall, and the front facade is submerged in about 10 feet of water, depending on the tide.

Source: Jason deCaires Taylor

The walls were designed to mimic natural coral structures so that marine life can pass through the structure.

The walls were designed to mimic natural coral structures so that marine life can pass through the structure.

Source: Jason deCaires Taylor

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The structure is made of 180 tons of architectural elements, including 66 marine-grade steel panels.

The structure is made of 180 tons of architectural elements, including 66 marine-grade steel panels.

Source: Jason deCaires Taylor

The gallery is comprised of 22 sculptures total.

The gallery is comprised of 22 sculptures total.

Source: Jason deCaires Taylor

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The amount of the sculpture that is visible above water depends on the tide.

The amount of the sculpture that is visible above water depends on the tide.

Source: Jason deCaires Taylor

10 of them are perched on plinths partially out of the water.

10 of them are perched on plinths partially out of the water.

Source: Jason deCaires Taylor

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Six others are fully submerged on the seafloor.

Six others are fully submerged on the seafloor.

Source: Jason deCaires Taylor

And another six sculptures are on the rooftop.

And another six sculptures are on the rooftop.

Source: Jason deCaires Taylor

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There are also six submerged trees and a coral pathway with more than 60 coral flower pots.

There are also six submerged trees and a coral pathway with more than 60 coral flower pots.

Source: Jason deCaires Taylor

'It is both an art gallery and an artificial reef space,' Hoefler said.

'It is both an art gallery and an artificial reef space,' Hoefler said.

Source: Melanie Hoefler, Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi

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The roof is perforated with a coral pattern to let beams of light through to shine on the sculptures.

The roof is perforated with a coral pattern to let beams of light through to shine on the sculptures.

Source: Jason deCaires Taylor

Submerged lights illuminate the space at night.

Submerged lights illuminate the space at night.

Source: Jason deCaires Taylor

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The submerged sculptures include children looking up toward the sea's surface.

The submerged sculptures include children looking up toward the sea's surface.

Source: Jason deCaires Taylor

The installation is meant to raise questions about the threat of climate change and consequences of rising sea levels.

The installation is meant to raise questions about the threat of climate change and consequences of rising sea levels.

Source: Jason deCaires Taylor

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The Maldives, consisting of more than 1,100 islands to the west of India, is the world's lowest-lying nation.

The Maldives, consisting of more than 1,100 islands to the west of India, is the world's lowest-lying nation.

Source: Business Insider

On average, the islands are only 1.3 meters above sea level, making them especially vulnerable to rising sea levels.

On average, the islands are only 1.3 meters above sea level, making them especially vulnerable to rising sea levels.

Source: Business Insider

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Visitors can explore the Coralarium free of charge in small group tours guided by marine biologists.

Visitors can explore the Coralarium free of charge in small group tours guided by marine biologists.

Source: Jason deCaires Taylor

But you'll have to pay between $760 and $3,838 per night to stay at the Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi resort, according to the resort's website.

But you'll have to pay between $760 and $3,838 per night to stay at the Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi resort, according to the resort's website.

Source: Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi

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