Countless lost treasures lurk beneath the ocean’s surface, but few come with a $24 million price tag and centuries of secrecy. Off Panama’s coast, in waters jealously guarded by the indigenous Guna Yala people, lies the French frigate Maurepas. Sunk in 1699. Untouched. Until now.
This isn’t just any old shipwreck. The Maurepas carried precious cargo from Charles II of Spain to King Louis XIV of France. Gold, silver, jewels—the works. For centuries, the Guna Yala kept this wreck’s location under wraps. Can’t blame them. Twenty-four million bucks sitting in your backyard? You’d be quiet too.
Royal riches hidden underwater for centuries—wouldn’t you keep $24 million in gold and jewels hush-hush too?
Finally, the veil of secrecy has lifted. Pelorus Travel now offers the “Maurepas Treasure Hunt,” the first authorized expedition into these waters in centuries. Limited spots. June to November only. Better move fast.
The tour isn’t for lazy vacationers. You’ll dive alongside a professional salvage crew, wield magnetometers to scan the seabed, and help film a documentary.
Evenings? Expert talks on maritime history and treasure hunting. Beats watching hotel cable.
Technology makes this hunt possible. Magnetometers detect metal beneath sediment. Advanced diving techniques get you places previously unexplored. And it’s all done with scientific rigor. No amateur hour here.
Of course, there’s more than money at stake. The Guna Yala consider the site spiritually significant. Permission for exploration wasn’t granted lightly. The operation balances treasure recovery with cultural respect. Novel concept, right? The tribe will receive 70% of findings as compensation for allowing access to their sacred waters.
This hunt joins the ranks of famous underwater discoveries like the Nuestra Senora de Atocha, which yielded $450 million in treasure. Acclaimed billionaire Carl Allen has discovered similar fortunes with his team using specialized mboxes to expose artifacts buried in the ocean floor. Since WWII, salvaged underwater treasures have exceeded $2 billion globally. Yet countless wrecks remain undiscovered.
