There really was gold in the waters off Key West—and finding it became one of the most famous treasure-hunting stories in history.
For 16 years, Mel Fisher and his crew searched the waters of the Florida Keys for the wreck of the Nuestra Señora de Atocha. Fisher kept the team motivated with his now-famous declaration: “Today’s the day!” On July 20, 1985, those words finally came true when the crew discovered the ship’s long-lost main cargo hold.
Today, visitors can see genuine Atocha treasure and explore the story behind the discovery at the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum in Old Town Key West.
The Nuestra Señora de Atocha was part of a 28-ship Spanish fleet that departed Havana for Spain on September 4, 1622. The ships carried silver, gold, emeralds, pearls and other valuable cargo from the Americas.
A hurricane overtook the fleet in the Florida Straits. By September 6, seven ships had been destroyed between the Marquesas Keys and the Dry Tortugas, including the Atocha and its sister ship, the Santa Margarita.
Spanish salvagers recovered treasure from several wrecks, but a second hurricane scattered the remains of the Atocha. The ship and its cargo disappeared beneath the waters west of Key West for more than three centuries.
Mel Fisher began searching for the Atocha in 1969. The effort involved his family, divers, historians, archaeologists and the Treasure Salvors crew.
Important discoveries gradually confirmed that they were following the shipwreck’s trail. Silver bars found in 1973 matched identifying marks recorded in the Atocha’s original cargo manifest. Bronze cannons discovered in 1975 provided further evidence, but the main treasure remained elusive.
In 1980, Fisher’s crew located a significant portion of the Santa Margarita, recovering gold bars, jewelry, silver coins and artifacts. Still, the greatest discovery was yet to come.
On July 20, 1985, a crew led by Fisher’s son Kane located the Atocha’s main cargo hold. Stacks of silver bars and chests of coins covered the seabed, creating what crew members described as a reef of silver.
The recovered collection included silver and gold bars, coins, jewelry, emeralds, religious objects, navigational instruments, weapons and everyday items from life aboard a 17th-century Spanish galleon.
The discovery was far more than a hunt for riches. The artifacts opened a window into maritime trade, colonial history, shipboard life and the cultures connected by the Spanish treasure fleets.
The Mel Fisher Maritime Museum displays authentic treasure and artifacts recovered from the Atocha, Santa Margarita and other historic shipwrecks.
Visitors can explore exhibits covering:
The museum also offers conservation-laboratory tours, giving visitors a closer look at how artifacts are documented and preserved after centuries beneath the sea. Schedules and availability can change, so review the museum’s current hours, admission prices and lab-tour information before visiting.
The Mel Fisher Maritime Museum is located at 200 Greene Street, approximately 0.7 miles—or about a 12-minute walk—from the Key West Express terminal.
Its Old Town location makes it easy to combine the museum with Mallory Square, the Historic Seaport, Duval Street and other nearby Key West attractions.
For additional museum details and nearby suggestions, visit the Key West Express guide to the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum.
You may not return home with a chest of Spanish gold, but the story of the Atocha proves that Key West is filled with remarkable discoveries.
Travel aboard Key West Express and arrive within walking distance of the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum, the Historic Seaport and the heart of Old Town. When you are ready to turn “someday” into “today’s the day,” reserve your Key West Express trip.
Hero Image Photo Credit: Mel Fisher Museum