The ultimate underwater treasure hunting experience is spending a week with the professional treasure hunters from Mel Fisher’s Treasures learning state-of-the-art treasure hunting techniques and being taken to see the charts and research completed on the Atocha, Fla. most famous shipwreck. The Nuestra Senora de Atocha is a Spanish galleon that sank near Key West during a hurricane in 1622. Mel Fisher and his team, after 16 years of searching found the Atocha on July 20, 1985. Silver bars, silver coins, gold coins, Colombian emeralds and other artifacts are some of the treasure that has been recovered. Treasure found by divers is taken to the conservation lab for restoration. Divers are rewarded with restored treasure of similar value found on previous dives.
Mel Fisher’s Treasures
200 Greene St.
Key West, FL 33040
800-434-1399
melfisher.com
Join Captain Greg Bounds and his crew on their quest for treasure. For a fee, advanced certified divers can dive with the crew on a day’s search for gold. This is an excellent opportunity for treasure hunting enthusiasts to see advanced treasure hunting techniques with the latest equipment. Guest divers cannot keep the treasures they find. All treasure must be turned in to be restored and cataloged. Any profits from treasure found is divided amongst the shareholders of the treasure hunting permits, the investors. Any treasure you find can be marked with your name, giving you the option to purchase it after the legalities are met.
Gold Hound Treasure Divers
1580 U.S. Highway 1
Sebastian, FL 32958
772-633-0728
goldhoundtreasuredivers.com
Hunting for fossilized shark teeth and other fossils is a popular activity in Southwestern Florida. Fun 2 Dive offers five trips a year to the Venice Beach area. Divers can hunt for teeth in an 18- to 30-foot trench. This is a two-day trip that includes two full days of diving, use of the boat and all dive equipment. The cost of the tour also includes lodging. The state of Florida requires that individuals and tour operators engaged in the collection of fossils must obtain a $5 fossil collecting permit.
Fun 2 Dive
2880 N. Seabreeze Point
Crystal River, FL 34429
888-588-3483
fun2dive.com
