The coast line spanning from Jupiter, Florida to Sebastian Bay is currently defined as the "Treasure Coast"

and has a unique and rich history. This area is appropriately named since over 300 years ago, twelve Spanish

galleons which had set sail for Spain were shipwrecked off the southeastern Florida shore, their treasures

washing ashore or sinking deep into the sea.  The area is located on the state's Atlantic coast, comprising 

Indian River, St. Lucie, and Martin counties. Of all twelve ships that sailed in this fleet, all but one of the ships

safely arrived in Spain, the remainder of the fleet being tossed and hurled but hurricane winds and massive

waves, were shipwrecked across the coastal area now know as the "Treasure Coast." Although much silver

and jewelry was inventoried in the cargo logs of this fleet, little or no mention of gold can be found. The current

belief is that much of the gold being carried by these long lost ships was in fact being smuggled into Spain and

therefore is unaccountable in the ships manifests.

Although Spain was able to recover some of the lost treasure, looters and pirates abounded in sharing in the spoils lost to the sea. 

 It is estimated that 400-600 million dollars worth of treasure that remains at the bottom of the sea.

Although much of the rights to this gold have been claimed by Spain and other private companies, treasure hunting is still

permitted along beach, but not believe the water in many parts of the treasure coast. There are individuals have that dedicated

their lives to searching out the remaining treasures, with the use of metal detectors, that may still be found to this day, more than

300 years after sinking of the 1715 Spanish Fleet.