By Alex J. Coyne, photos courtesy Tropical Treasure Hunt
Escape room puzzles are popular everywhere; however, few of them are quite as unique as the puzzles created by Tropical Treasure Hunt from St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands. Visitors are invited to take to the seas, solving an intricate and picturesque quest that includes a day charter around the islands.
I spoke to founder Anthony Schultz for more details.
The Story of Tropical Treasure Hunts
The Tropical Treasure Hunt Company started when Schultz was looking for something fun to do for his girlfriend’s birthday. “We went to the beach, and I started envisioning a treasure chest, and I thought it would be cool if she found love notes.”
The surprise took about 12 days to plan, and the journey took them to one of their favorite local beach bars with a birthday party at the end.
“I enjoyed it, she loved it, and then our friends wanted a treasure hunt, too!”
His father, a printer, helped them to create advertising when the business first began. “Paper, ink, brochures: the business was destiny, that’s what it took to start it. We started doing romantic treasure hunts for co-workers, then for families and small groups, and in 2018 we went full time.”
Schultz’s background was in industrial psychology and data analysis. This, he says, became integral in designing escape rooms and puzzles (he has completed around 60 different rooms) for team building and other cooperative groups.
His love for mystery and drive for imagination is inspired by Walt Disney. “I grew up in Tampa, Florida, and I’ve always been a huge Disney fan.” He particularly cites Disney’s drive and imagination. “I want to entertain people and bring immersiveness to the experience.”
Today, Tropical Treasure Hunt Co. has been designated a Disney Signature Experience.
More About Escape Puzzles
The Tropical Treasure Hunt Co. escape rooms combine puzzle-solving skills, co-operation, and a love for solving mysteries which are not limited to a single room — rather, they take participants on an island tour.
“Escape rooms get people out of their comfort zone,” says Schultz. “Puzzles rely on the theme, but also rely on teamwork,” which makes the escape room experience great for families, strangers, and company team building, with a focus on cooperative groups like companies and schools where solving puzzles can aid in personal development. “Companies and schools are the perfect fit, because employees and students should know someone cares about their development.”
Historical Caribbean events and artifacts are part of the whole experience. To solve one particular puzzle, visitors have to use a treasure map and 1700s spyglass to find the next location.
St. Thomas and the surrounding islands are incorporated, with some puzzles going through local bars and beaches such as Sapphire Beach.
Their storylines are creative, and their puzzles intricate. “We have blacklights for what’s called the enchanted torch, we have multi-directional or alphanumeric lockboxes, and we have picture-based clues where you have to read the artifacts to figure out answers. We even have human battleship,” he says passionately. “People are standing in grids, and you’re throwing a foam ball or water balloon over a tarp to find the opponent’s grid.”
The escape room experience has even been converted into a tent, which they’ve successfully shipped to several hotels.
Games rely heavily on group cooperation, and one team member is designated as the leader. “Think of the games from Survivor and mix in Pirates of the Caribbean.”
They have done a handful of proposals, “which are amazing moments. Someone gives us an engagement ring, and we put it in the treasure chest.”
People enjoy challenges that also teach them something, says Schultz. “I wanted people to be educated on key things that have a huge impact on world history.”
The Pirates Treasure Museum (piratemuseumstthomas.com) is an important part of this specific puzzle experience. Sometimes, he says, history can be misunderstood — pointing to commonly inaccurate depictions of historical pirates or scenery.
Boat Charter Treasure Hunt
“We’ve always thought about an escape puzzle that can go to different islands, incorporating a yacht and sailing,” says Schultz.
Partnering with Seahorse Water Taxi, they came up with “The Salty Piracy Adventure,” (seahorsevi.com/the-salty-piracy-adventure) an experience that incorporates the best of the Caribbean over six months. The storyline uses character actors, fully immersing visitors in the puzzle they have to solve. “You’re looking for the Chalice of Eternal Life, using breadcrumbs scattered through the map,” says Schultz.
Groups begin at their store in St. Thomas, later making their way through to its sister island via the chartered yacht. “Participants have to ‘sneak’ their way into the museum with a tour badge, and borrow the treasure map before starting.”
The challenge incorporates getting on the Captain’s Boat for more clues, then returning to St. Thomas. It also includes lunch, allocating a full day for the experience rather than the traditional 20-or-30 minute escape room.
Storylines are dramatic, immersive, and fun.
“There are a lot of different thrills, including an actor with a death scene, and a glowing key that’s been treated with a particular element that reacts when you break the spell.”
He calls it their masterpiece.
“It’s a great escape room adventure that’s not limited to one room, but takes you through the islands and museum with a live guide that’s going along and playing the part.”
