Financial Times

$24mn Treasure-Hunting Dive Off Panama

Pelorus in the press

Pelorus has been featured in the Financial Times following the launch of an extraordinary expedition in Panama, where guests join a specialist salvage team searching for the remains of the Maurepas, a French frigate believed to have sunk off the San Blas Islands in 1699.

The vessel is thought to have been carrying gold, silver and jewels destined for the French crown, with the treasure estimated to be worth up to $24 million. Working alongside marine archaeologists and exploration specialists, guests take part in a live search effort, combining advanced survey technology, diving operations and cultural engagement with the local Guna community.

Searching for a lost chapter of history

The expedition centres on the search for the Maurepas, a ship that disappeared more than three centuries ago in the waters surrounding Panama's Caribbean coastline.

Guests join the exploration team aboard a dedicated expedition vessel, contributing to survey operations that include seabed mapping, magnetometer searches and dive missions across the search area. The programme provides rare access to an active maritime discovery project, offering insight into the methods and technologies used in modern underwater exploration.

"Pelorus's guests will accompany them on a week-long trip, spending their time diving, scanning the seabed using magnetometers and meeting members of the Guna community."

- Financial Times

Beyond the search

While the possibility of uncovering a historic shipwreck is compelling, the experience extends far beyond the hunt itself.

Travellers spend time exploring the remote San Blas archipelago and engaging with members of the Guna community, whose stewardship of these islands has preserved both their cultural heritage and the surrounding marine environment.

The expedition reflects Pelorus' approach to exploration: creating access to experiences that would otherwise remain beyond reach, while working alongside trusted local partners, historians, scientists and expedition specialists.

Read the full article here

Featured in the Financial Times

Writing in the Financial Times, Tom Robbins highlights Pelorus' role in creating opportunities for guests to participate directly in ambitious exploration projects, rather than simply observing from the sidelines.

The feature places the Panama expedition alongside some of the most notable developments in luxury travel, recognising a growing appetite for experiences that combine adventure, discovery and genuine purpose.

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Financial Times