Started in 2014, BREEF (Bahamas Reef Environmental Education Foundation) commissioned three artists to create sculptures that could live beneath the waves.
“Virtuoso Man” by artist Willicey Tynes is another sculpture in the underwater park
Lili Wagner via BREEF
The genesis
DeCaires Taylor recounted their time together.
The “coral nursery” in the sculpture garden grows endangered Staghorn coral.
Courtesy BREEF
Conservation efforts
In addition to attracting visitors to this one-of-a-kind snorkel and scuba experience, BREEF has also been growing endangered Staghorn coral since 2015 in their coral nursery. In an email to CNN Travel, a spokesperson for BREEF wrote, “These corals are being outplanted to rehabilitate our coral reefs, and more coral means more fish.”
DeCaires Taylor, who is at work on another project for the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, said of this commission, “I had this concept that I’d been trying to realize for some time, it was quite ambitious, and the Bahamas have such incredible water. It’s so crystal clear.”
Crystal clear waters are perfect for snorkeling above the BREEF Coral Reef Sculpture Garden in the Bahamas
Courtesy @jasondecairestaylor
He liked the idea of empowering the local community to care for their natural resources and their reefs. Then came the idea for the sculpture itself, “a young child, holding up the sea or supporting the sea in an Atlas-like pose. I sculpted a young girl called Camilla, who went to school there. It’s the largest one I’ve ever made.”
Be sure to visit
As soon as the Bahamas reopens to tourists, the submerged magic of the sculpture garden awaits, as does the island’s warm, inviting hospitality.
“The best thing about the Bahamas is they’re the nicest people I’ve ever worked with. It was hard, grueling work, but they made it so enjoyable. Everyone is so nice.”