Opened in October 2025, Latin America’s first underwater visitor center is located in Guarujá, approximately 1.6 kilometers from Pernambuco Beach. It is situated at a depth of 10 to 12 meters below sea level. The initiative aims to combine art, marine conservation, and tourism, drawing inspiration from similar experiences in countries such as Spain and Mexico.
There were 15 sculptures by the painter, illustrator, and sculptor Adélio Sarro. The idea is that, with the installation of the sculptures, the space will function as an underwater museum to encourage nautical tourism through recreational diving. In addition to strengthening the region’s hotel industry .
The sustainable art of the Guarujá Underwater Museum
The sculptures pay tribute to historical figures linked to the city. For example, the aviator Santos Dumont. Workers and women who have made a significant impact on the Santos region were also honored.
But they serve not only as visual art; the sculptures can also have a more sustainable purpose , being used as artificial reefs. They attract fish by becoming shelters for barnacles, sea sponges, and algae, acting as a new marine habitat for various species. Helping to restore the sea’s biodiversity.
What to do in the region?
The Guarujá region has been establishing itself as a hub for nautical tourism, and these investments help reinforce that status. Beyond visiting beaches and the underwater museum, tourists can take schooner tours in Santos, with stops for swimming.
Visit the Museum of the Sea, which has one of the largest marine collections in Latin America. It also offers sensory experiences and exhibitions covering much of marine life and the oceans.
Another must-see attraction is the Historical Museum of the Santo Amaro da Barra Grande Fortress. A colonial-era fortification, its collection focuses on archaeological discoveries, history, and the visual arts.