Goodbye Marigalante: Five Secrets of the Famous Pirate Ship that Sank in Puerto Vallarta.
The iconic pirate ship Marigalante had an unexpected end to its sailing the waves of Banderas Bay. While the news shocked residents and visitors to Puerto Vallarta, there are little-known facts worth remembering about this event behind the scent of tragedy.
Replica Pirate Ship Jolly Roger on it’s way to Puerto Vallarta. (Read at bottom of the page)
To that end, we present five facts you may not have heard about the sinking of the Marigalante in Puerto Vallarta.
No Drama; A Technical Failure Caused it to Sink
If you’ve been curious about the sinking of the Marigalante in Puerto Vallarta, you’ll want to pay attention! The sinking was not the result of a storm. It was not the result of a spectacular collision. The sinking was a failure of its bilge pumps. At noon, the ship started to take on a lot of water.
Marigalante It’s history (in Spanish)
Despite the crew’s efforts to implement temporary repairs, the structural damage eventually led to the vessel’s instability. Some reports also mention breakdowns in the engine room and electrical systems. These breakdowns may have accelerated the flooding process.
Here’s an interesting fact for you: local authorities say that the sinking of the Marigalante is not related to Tropical Storm Raymond after it passed through Puerto Vallarta.
No Casualties. No One Was Injured
Thankfully, the situation wasn’t as dire as it could have been: there were no injuries, and no tourists were affected. At the time of the incident, the Marigalante vessel was not transporting any guests. The technical crew, made up of about nine people, was the only group on board, and they were successfully evacuated.
Thanks to the coordinated efforts of the maritime and port authorities, the rescue operation was swift and well-coordinated. The Mexican Navy, and the Puerto Vallarta Public Safety, Fire and Lifeguards Department worked together to provide assistance during the emergency. The Jalisco Governor, Pablo Lemus Navarro, confirmed on social media that all were “safe and unharmed.”
The absence of injuries was undoubtedly a cause of relief for many people in Puerto Vallarta. Although the image of the Marigalante sinking was shocking, it was a fortunate accident, as no lives were lost.
An Iconic Ship Made in Mexico
Contrary to popular belief, the Marigalante did not hail from Europe. For over 30 years, the ship that graced the stunning sunsets of Puerto Vallarta with its presence was constructed in the port of Alvarado, located in the state of Veracruz.
The Civil Association “Mar, Hombre y Paz” (Sea, Man and Peace) was responsible for the construction of the iconic galleon between 1980 and 1987. More than 30 types of tropical wood were used in its construction.
The Marigalante was conceived as an authentic replica of the Santa María, one of the three caravels that were part of Christopher Columbus’s fleet. In 1992, officials inaugurated it on the occasion of the fifth centenary of the discovery of America.
Before becoming an attraction in Banderas Bay, the Marigalante circumnavigated the globe, stopping in Spain, Japan, and other ports along the way. This journey covered more than 52,000 nautical miles, following historic routes.
The mid-1990s saw the Marigalante transition into its new role as a tourist attraction in Puerto Vallarta. It rapidly became one of everyone’s preferred sea tours, thanks to its live show featuring pirate-themed dinners, music, swordfights, lighting effects, fireworks, and coastal explorations.
The pirate galleon Marigalante has become a prominent landmark in Puerto Vallarta, often seen in photographs, especially at sunset, standing proudly behind the iconic seahorse.
Farewell to Vallarta’s Favorite Pirate Ship
As the Marigalante began its descent to the depths of the ocean, the farewell was deeply emotional. As videos show, the people on the coast applauded, sighed, and expressed their gratitude with words like “thank you, Marigalante.”
The ship ran aground about three kilometers offshore and buoyancy was quickly lost until the ship sank completely. The sinking of the Marigalante signaled the end of an era for many, marking the passing of a beloved Puerto Vallarta icon and a cherished tourist attraction.
The company has already announced that it will refund tickets to anyone who had already purchased a pirate ship tour for future dates. It was also revealed that a “sister ship” of the Marigalante will soon arrive in Puerto Vallarta to perpetuate the legacy.
Why We Will Miss the Marigalante
Today, the Marigalante is already a part of Puerto Vallarta’s past. The truth is that the destination’s extensive catalog of more than 40 outdoor experiences will leave a void in it while its replacement arrives.
We inquired with guests and locals about what they will miss most about the Marigalante in Puerto Vallarta. The following reasons were universally accepted:
Few boat tours provoked as much enthusiasm among visitors and residents as the Marigalante. Watching it sail at sunset from the Malecón was part of the symbolic landscape of Puerto Vallarta.
The Marigalante offered pirate-themed experiences and fun for the whole family, including tours that included fireworks, music, theater, and a delicious buffet dinner on the high seas.
For more than one child, traveling on the Marigalante was like stepping back in time and sailing ancient seas. That blend of fantasy and history will be hard to match.
For over 30 years, people from all over the world have shared thousands of photos, videos, and memories featuring the silhouette of Puerto Vallarta’s pirate galleon and its ornate sails.
The reality is that for a lot of folks, guests, inhabitants, kids, explorers, and newlyweds, getting on the Marigalante was a unique opportunity and signified doing “something genuinely Vallartan.”
Have you ever boarded the Marigalante, or do you know someone who has? Share your best photos and experiences traveling on the pirate ship with us on our social media (Instagram, Facebook, X, and TikTok), using the hashtag #PuertoVallarta.
Replica Pirate Ship Jolly Roger Heads to Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – The business group that owns the Marigalante, which tragically sank in Banderas Bay on October 10, has announced a swift replacement for its popular pirate ship tour. The vessel designated to take its place is the Jolly Roger, currently operating in Cancún.
While belonging to the same operating company, the Jolly Roger and the sunken Marigalante have distinct features. Both are replicas of the Santa María, the flagship used by Christopher Columbus during his 1492 voyage to the Americas. However, the Marigalante’s original owner designed it as a close tribute to Columbus’s caravel. The Jolly Roger, in contrast, was built in 2009 with a design more specifically focused on modern tourism service.
The replacement galleon, which weighs 700 tons and combines a steel and wood structure, was built and assembled in the Mazatlán, Sinaloa, shipyard in 2009. It was immediately taken to the Mexican Caribbean, where it currently provides tourist services from the mainland near Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo.
Following the sinking of the Marigalante, the Jolly Roger is now preparing for a lengthy sea voyage from the Caribbean to the Pacific. Although the exact departure date has not been set, the company anticipates the vessel will arrive in Puerto Vallarta before the end of December 2025. The demanding route will take the ship along the coast of Central America and through the Panama Canal before reaching Banderas Bay.
The company is considering retaining the name “Marigalante” for the incoming vessel. This decision would continue the legacy of the ship that became a symbol of Puerto Vallarta after its arrival on the coast nearly 30 years ago, giving the replacement vessel significant symbolic value.
Current Jolly Roger staff will be invited to participate in the new phase of operations in Banderas Bay. This inclusion is motivated, in part, by the emotional connection felt by the crew members who will accompany the ship on its long interoceanic voyage.
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