When Argentine artist Ximena Caminos obtained permission to intervene in the Miami Beach seabed, she envisioned a radical transformation. The automobile, emblem of consumption and terrestrial pollution, could acquire a new meaning underwater.
Thus was born Reefline, a project that turns eco-friendly concrete cars into living structures. Submerged off one of the world’s busiest beaches, these vehicles stop polluting and start regenerating.
In this way, art is put at the service of ecological restoration in an environment battered by sea warming and the loss of natural reefs.
An underwater highway off the coast
The project has already installed more than two dozen cars and star-shaped sculptures about six meters deep. It is a “marine highway” located about 250 meters off the Miami Beach coast.
That distance allows the structure to receive enough light, a key condition for coral growth. Additionally, the depth facilitates access for swimmers, kayakers, and divers.
With just two months underwater, the first corals have already begun to adhere, an early sign that the design and materials fulfill their ecological function.
Artificial reefs to recover what was lost
Miami Beach is largely an artificial island, which in the past had a protective natural reef. However, pollution and the increase in ocean temperature degraded that system.
Reefline seeks to reverse that damage by creating a continuous artificial reef of eleven kilometers. The goal is for nearly extinct species to return and rebuild a complex ecological network.
The cars function as “marine pots.” By attracting corals, which are foundational species, a cascading effect is generated that attracts fish, crustaceans, and other forms of life.
Art, access, and conscious experience
The installation was carried out with large vessels and with the contribution of Argentine artist Leandro Erlich. The sculptures were designed to withstand storms and hurricanes.
Although you can reach it by swimming or kayaking, prolonged observation requires diving. Therefore, the Reefline organization offers guided tours with equipment, under a central rule: do not touch.
This experience turns the visit into an act of contemplation and respect, where art is visible only to those who decide to dive.
Art and ecology: a union with multiple advantages
The artificial reef can reduce coastal erosion by cushioning the impact of the waves. At the same time, it contributes to restoring biodiversity in a highly intervened urban area.
It also promotes environmental education, responsible tourism, and awareness about the human role in the degradation and recovery of the oceans.
In the long term, initiatives like Reefline can be replicated in other destinations like Dubai or the Maldives, demonstrating that creativity, science, and environmental commitment can coexist to heal the sea.
