If the history of Macau is really connected to the sea, there is, indeed, no better place for the Maritime Museum, than the Square of the Barra Pagoda, dedicated to the Taoist goddess "A-MA", the protector of the fishermen, and also believed as the place where the Portuguese landed for the first time. The place was called "A MA GAO" at the time (the harbour of A-MA) - hence the name of Macau. This is precisely the spot where the Maritime Museum is located and its building has the stylised form of a sailing ship anchored in the waters of the Inner Harbour.

On the ground floor the visitor can find the traditions and the way of life of the fishermen in Macau and South China: there are several types of ships, instruments and ways of fishing, different varieties of fish and shellfish living in these waters and even a copy of the house of a fisherman, where the whole family can be seen sharing the tasks which precede or follow the fishing activities.