A New Pelorus Travel Tour Lets You Hunt for Sunken Treasure

Searching for buried treasure may be the stuff of legends and action movies, but thanks to a once-in-a-lifetime offering from luxury experiential travel company Pelorus Travel, it could actually be your next vacation.

In 1699, a French frigate called the Maurepas sank in the remote San Blas Islands off the coast of Panama, taking a massive trove of treasure down with it. Believed to be carrying precious cargo from Charles II of Spain to King Louis XIV of France, the ship went down in waters belonging to the Guna Yala people, who say they have always known the wreck’s location—but they’ve kept the site secret, believing the area to be tied to their cosmic origins.

Now, for the first time in centuries, the Guna Yala tribe has opened the waters to exploration—and Pelorus was granted the exclusive opportunity to bring participants to join the search for an estimated $24 million in lost gold, silver, and jewels.

The “Maurepas Treasure Hunt,” bookable from June to November, will let a handful of intrepid (and deep-pocketed) travelers join the nonprofit ocean exploration team behind OceanX in a real-life hunt for sunken treasure off Panama’s northern coast.

Participants will spend their days diving uncharted waters alongside a seasoned salvage crew, scanning the seabed with a magnetometer, and filming for a forthcoming documentary on the expedition. Evenings will bring fireside talks with experts on the history of the Maurepas, the life of a modern-day treasure hunter, and maritime mysteries.

If the treasure is found, 70 percent of its value will return to the tribe, helping revitalize the community. Each treasure-hunt participant will receive a cut of the remaining proceeds plus $25,000 for taking part in the documentary.

The price to join starts at $185,000 per person and includes accommodations for seven nights, access to dive gear (plus a scuba license for non-divers), expert guides, business-class flights, and insurance. Those seeking a more luxurious base can charter a private superyacht for an added fee.

For bookings or questions, visit Pelorus Travel’s website.