Pelorus is inviting travellers to join a real shipwreck salvage mission in Panama, diving for artefacts from a 17th-century French frigate while living aboard a private yacht. Robbie Hodges reports
Experiential travel company Pelorus is offering travellers the chance to take part in a live underwater salvage operation in Panama, centred on the wreck of the Maurepas, a French frigate that sank in 1699 carrying gold, silver and jewels.
The ship was reportedly transporting treasure gifted by Charles II of Spain to King Louis XIV of France to support his war efforts against Britain. More than three centuries later, the wreck remains in the waters of the San Blas archipelago, within a protected marine region.
Pelorus has already completed an initial phase of the project with clients earlier in 2026. It is now opening the next stage to new guests, who will be able to join the active recovery mission alongside specialist teams, including Deep Blue Explorers and Ocean X.
Read the full article on Globetrender:
https://globetrender.com/2026/03/30/pelorus-expedition-shipwreck/
