Pelorus Announces a Once-in-a-lifetime Opportunity
Join a real life treasure hunt and make history with
Pelorus and the Ocean X Team
Join the hunt for the lost French frigate, Maurepas and its treasure, thought to be valued at around $24 million – May – November 2025
May 28, 2025 – Pioneering experiential travel brand, Pelorus, offers four intrepid guests a once-in-a-lifetime chance to join onboard a catamaran the Ocean X team, renowned salvage hunters, on the hunt for the lost French frigate, Maurepas, which sank into the waters of Panama in 1699 laden with gold, silver and jewels – a gift from Charles II of Spain to King Louis XIV of France, to help fund his war against Britain.
Records from the Darien Papers, a collection of original documents relating to the establishment of a colony at Darien, Panama, show that the ship never made it to Europe and that the ship sank near The Isthmus of Darien, an area that remains uninhabited to this day. The French Captain, Duvivier Thomas survived, along with 22 crew, and stayed on site for three months determined to salvage the treasure, however the objects were never recovered. Ever since, the Guna Yala Tribe that occupies the region has protected the location of the wreck and forbidden entry in their sacred waters. Until now…
The Guna Yala Tribe and why now?
Living in remote areas of the San Blas archipelago, the Guna Yala community has preserved its unique way of life for centuries, maintaining a deep connection to its ancestral roots and nature. In 2012, a representative of the Guna Yala contacted the Ocean X Team with a private invitation to meet the tribal leaders to discuss the rights to salvage the Maurepas in their protected waters. The Guna Yala look to the lost treasure to help bring prosperity and justice. The invitation to the Ocean X Team specifically stems from its groundbreaking discovery of ‘The Baltic Sea anomaly’ which the Guna Yala people believe to be the interstellar vessel their ancestors descended from the skies in.
The tribe believe their ancestors originate from distant realms in the cosmos. This profound belief, passed down through captivating storytelling, is central to the tribe’s cultural identity and so the Guna Yala have, for the first time, granted exclusive permission for the Ocean X Team to search their sacred waters.
A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with Pelorus
The treasure onboard the Maurepas is thought to be valued at around $24 million. Should this treasure be found, 70% of the sales will be returned to the Guna Yala community and each treasure hunter will receive 4.94% of the final 30% share of the sales*, as well as a $25,000 payment for taking part in the documentary filming that will take place during this unique experience.
Geordie Mackay-Lewis, Co-Founder and CEO of Pelorus comments, “This is a phenomenal chance to make history – uncovering the legendary Maurepas and its treasure that has been lost in time, under waters that no one has ever been allowed to explore. With the sacred trust of the Guna Yala tribe, this expedition isn’t just about discovery but also about legacy, impact and support for this community.”
Guests will spend their days diving in unexplored waters, scanning the seabed with a magnetometer, salvage diving and observing the recovery process alongside the expert dive team. In addition, they will have the rare chance to:
Visit the Guna Yala community and share meals, listen to generations-old stories, and sit side by side with the locals whose connection to the seas runs deep. Be embraced by a culture that has closely guarded its traditions – and waters – for centuries.
In the evenings, unwind with the team of experts on the trip with fireside talks about the history of the Maurepas and the wrecked champagne ship, Jönköping, find out more about the life of a modern treasure hunter and the mystery of the Baltic Sea anomaly as well as discovering the art of capturing this type of expedition on film.
Beyond the hunt, this experience will have a lasting impact for the tribe, having been organised on a foundation of deep respect, restoration and partnership with the Guna Yala people. This mission will support the Guna Yala population by returning lost treasure and helping to rebuild a once-thriving community.
To enhance the treasure hunt experience, Pelorus can arrange the charter of a luxury yacht as a base for the expedition. This will suit a group or family wanting to take part in the discovery together, and provide a superb base for further water activities.
There are only four places available on the Maurepas treasure hunt. Each place starts from $185,000 inclusive of full board accommodation for seven nights, all diving equipment, scuba license for non-divers, expert guides, business class flights and insurance. This price may vary depending on yacht charter costs.
*post all associated fees.
For bookings and enquiries contact: https://pelorustravel.com/us / 1-800-659-0217
To find out more about this experience
www.pelorustravel.com/campaigns/discover-the-lost-maurepas-treasures
Pelorus (www.pelorusx.co) is a B-Corp certified group of businesses offering tailor-made Travel, Yachting and Aviation experiences that seek to transform our perspective of the world and our impact on the planet. Founders Jimmy Carroll and Geordie Mackay Lewis are ex-British army captains and bring their experience leading British reconnaissance units on long-range desert patrols and helicopter operations to their truly customised trips. The knowledge and skills they forged during these years lay the foundations upon which Pelorus is built. They endeavour to meet clients’ wildest aspirations using their global network of contacts and an extensive level of research. In a time when genuine escape is hard to find, Pelorus is taking a new and exciting approach.
Pelorus creates tailor-made experiences that seek to transform our perspective of the world and our impact on the planet.