Mel Fisher Treasure Museum

Entrance to the Mel Fisher Museum
in Sebastian, Florida

On July 20, 1985, Mel Fisher, a one-time chicken farmer who became the legendary "World's Greatest Treasure Hunter," after 16 long, challenging years of search, found the sunken Spanish treasure galleons Nuestra Senora de Atocha and Santa Margarita. These ships, carrying untold wealth, had sunk off the Florida coast during a hurricane on September 6, 1622.

Over 40 tons of gold and silver bars, "pieces of eight" and gold jewelry have been recovered. Hundreds of precious stones, including emeralds and diamonds, have been brought to the surface. The treasure recovered so far is worth almost $500 million.

Entering the museum

The museum provides shipwreck artifacts and treasure to provide a glimpse into the world that existed 400 years ago as well as the history of Mel Fisher's dogged quest to find the greatest treasure ship of them all, the Atocha.

Ahoy, matey! Yo ho ho!

Bust of Mel Fisher

Gold nuggets, chains, and pieces of eight!

Life-sized cut-out of Mel Fisher
 and recovered gold chains

Streak Troll and a gold chain and locket
that was recovered

Treasures include engraved
 gold plates, utensils, and
religious artifacts

McLarty Treasure Museum

At the entrance to the museum

The McLarty Treasure Museum in the Sebastian Inlet State Park on the east coast of Florida was dedicated on March 27, 1971. It was named in honor of the family that donated the property to the state. The Museum recounts the history of the ill-fated Spanish Plate Fleet of 1715 which was sunk in a hurricane along the sandy shores behind the museum. It includes artifacts and treasures raised from the successful efforts to recover the lost riches along Florida's Treasure Coast.

So far, millions of dollars worth of gold and silver ingots, coins, jewelry, precious stones, cannon and priceless historical treasures have been salvaged from the wrecks lying just a few hundred feet from the shore. No one knows how much still lies buried in the sand under the water's surface. Even today, for a lucky few, there is still found an occasional gold doubloon washed up on the beach.

Historical marker in front of the museum

Gold & silver coins, gold plate, jewelry, and other
recovered treasure from the sunken Spanish ship

Beautiful gold chain that was recovered

Model of the sunken Spanish treasure ship

Recovered cannon

Viewing where the treasure ships went down just a
few hundred yards off the beach