The famous Staniel Cay Plane Wreck is a reminder of how the notorious narcotics kingpin Pablo Escobar once smuggled cargo to the United States as part of an international drug ring. And those willing to take an up, close, and personal look at it can now snorkel all the way to the crash site. Yes, that’s right!
Located in the shallows on the south side of Norman’s Cay, the WWII-era plane is a sight to behold. It was thought to be carrying cocaine when it landed just shy off the runway in 1980. Soon after, it came to a halt on a sandbar between two outcrops of land on the southern end of Norman’s Cay and now sits there unperturbed.
Speaking from the point of view of history, Carlos Lehder, who had invaded most of Norman’s Cay, was eventually tracked down by the U.S. in 1982 and extradited in 1987. Soon after, the Cay was seized by the authorities.
While there were no casualties in the accident, the plane wreck today provides an intimate glimpse into a criminal underworld that once existed and has even gone on to inspire an entire web series. Interestingly, the site also doubles as an artificial reef and is now home to a rainbow of different fish and marine life.
At present, no commercial airline service to the island is available; however, it can be reached via charter flights. If a tour of the Exuma Plane Wreck interests you, get in touch with your preferred yacht broker and set off to the iconic site soon! After all, an interesting holiday such as this one does come around often!
