Malindi Shipwreck Set to Pioneer Underwater Tourism in Kenya

A shipwreck discovered off the southern coast of Malindi, Kenya, has generated considerable interest as archaeologists investigate the possibility that it could be the galleon São Jorge, a vessel affiliated with the renowned navigator Vasco da Gama during his final African voyage.

This undersea site, if confirmed, has the potential to emerge as an important tourist destination. The wreck, believed to date back over 500 years, was first identified in 2013 during an underwater exploration. Researchers from the National Museums of Kenya, led by Caesar Bita, are collaborating with experts from the University of Coimbra—Filipe Castro and José Pissarra—and Benedetto Frabetti from the Bergen Maritime Museum to conduct a thorough examination of the site.

Their ongoing investigations focus on the submerged remains, which are thought to belong to a Portuguese ship that sank in the region.
However, the excavation process has encountered multiple challenges, primarily due to the ship's location on a coral reef and the natural integration of the wreck with its surroundings over the centuries. Despite these difficulties, the research team has successfully recovered various artefacts, including elephant tusks and copper ingots, which support the hypothesis of the ship’s Portuguese provenance.

Historically, the galleon São Jorge was reportedly part of Vasco da Gama’s fleet during his final expedition in 1524. This ship, constructed in 1513, played a vital role in 16th-century maritime operations, designed for both exploration and military engagements. Its construction and subsequent use by other European powers had a lasting impact on maritime navigation during that period.

Recent archaeological efforts have included digging small trenches to unearth planks from the ship’s frame and hull, further reinforcing the team’s assertion regarding its identity. The study of the wreck remains ongoing, with plans to extend surveys along the coral reefs from Malindi to Ras Ngomeni, approximately 25 kilometres to the north.

If the wreck is confirmed as the São Jorge, it would represent one of the earliest European shipwrecks identified in the Indian Ocean, offering invaluable insights into Vasco da Gama’s maritime expeditions in Kenyan waters. Such a finding could significantly enhance the region’s tourism and archaeological profile, potentially establishing the site as an underwater museum that educates the public about da Gama’s voyages and the historical context surrounding the galleon.