Experts' Choice Award Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Museum
What the experts agree on
This waterfront museum showcases Mel Fisher's legendary 16-year quest to find the Spanish galleon Atocha, featuring $500 million in gold, silver, and everyday artifacts you can actually see and touch, plus behind-the-scenes conservation lab tours.
“Hearan impressive tale of tenacity and treasure hunting at the Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Museum and gawk at the treasures salvaged from the Atocha, a Spanish galleon that sank nearby almost 400 years ago.”
– Lonely Planet
Travel + Leisure "The treasure found was worth $500 million, and some of these artifacts are on display in this small museum." Full review
Afar Magazine "The Mel Fisher Maritime Museum has recently unveiled its newest exhibit—"Pirates: Menace and Mayhem!" This is the latest addition to a series of extensive collections with artifacts from..." Full review
Michelin Guide 0 Stars
"Display cases highlight the fabulous gold and silver treasures and also everyday objects discovered, that give an insight into life onboard." Full review
Where "For 16 years, “today’s the day” was the hope of treasure salvor Mel Fisher, who finally struck pay dirt on July 20, 1985." Full review
Lonely Planet "For a fascinating glimpse into Key West's complicated history, pay a visit to this popular museum near the waterfront." Full review
Atlas Obscura "The museum chronicling a treasure hunter's dream, fulfilled. " Full review
Frommer's "Displays do a nice job of telling the story of both ship and salvage operation...there’s also a behind-the-scenes tour of the conservation lab where artifacts are cleaned, conserved, and analyzed." Full review
Fodor's "Fisher's incredible adventure tracking these fabled hoards... is as amazing as the loot you'll see, touch, and learn about in this museum." Full review
New York Times "Visit the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum to see some of the gold, silver and emerald treasures from the Spanish galleon Nuestra Señora de Atocha, which sank near Key West in 1622. It took the..."
National Geographic "The Mel Fisher Maritime Museum displays treasures salvaged from the sea"
