EXPLORERS PHILIPPE AND ASHLAN COUSTEAU DIVE INTO THRILLING TALES OF LOST TREASURE IN TRAVEL CHANNEL'S NEW SERIES 'CARIBBEAN PIRATE TREASURE'

Series Premieres with Back-to-Back Episodes on Sunday, August 20 at 10:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. ET/PT

NEW YORK (July 18, 2017) - Gear up for underwater adventures with Philippe Cousteau, grandson of legendary explorer Jacques Cousteau, and his journalist wife, Ashlan, as they investigate incredible stories of lost loot and pirates' plunder in some of the world's most beautiful seas. Travel Channel's new series "Caribbean Pirate Treasure," starring the global deep sea divers and adventurers, premieres with back-to-back episodes on Sunday, August 20 at 10:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. ET/PT.

Along with exotic marine life, the crystal blue waters of gorgeous destinations like Antigua, Dominican Republic and Belize hold countless tales of shipwrecks, pirates and valuable booty. In each episode of "Caribbean Pirate Treasure," spirited explorers Philippe and Ashlan harness their 30-year expertise to dive into a different deep-sea mystery. Meeting with passionate locals and treasure-hunting experts, the couple follows clues on land and sea in search of legendary hidden loot.

"The love of adventure and exploring the sea is in my blood," said Philippe. "Our search for sunken treasure is about far more than just gold and jewels; it's about uncovering the mysteries and history of the world."

"Every expedition we start is full of excitement and intrigue," added Ashlan. "Each of these beautiful destinations is just off the path of popular tourist beaches and there's a wealth of captivating stories filled with pirates, shipwrecks and treasures to uncover."

In the premiere episode, Philippe and Ashlan head to Charlotte Amalie in St. Thomas - the biggest port of call for cruise ships in the U.S. Virgin Islands, with a storied history of pirates dating back to the 17th century. The goal is to explore the story behind ruthless French pirate Jean Hamlin, his missing flagship, La Trompeuse, and the treasure that may still be with it. The trail to La Trompeuse first takes Philippe and Ashlan on a dive to potential remnants of another shipwreck, the Trinity, before leading them directly to an elite group of treasure hunters who believe they have discovered La Trompeuse's exact location. It's a top secret mission to get there, and Philippe and Ashlan are ready to see if the ocean floor contains the treasure they came to find.

Check out "Caribbean Pirate Treasure" on TravelChannel.com for special show extras including behind-the-scenes photos and exclusive videos. Plus, follow @TravelChannel and #CaribbeanPirateTreasure on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for more exclusive content and updates. Follow hosts Philippe and Ashlan Cousteau on Twitter: @pcousteau and @ashlancousteau.

ABOUT TRAVEL CHANNEL

For virtual and active travelers who want to go on a thrilling quest; taste other cultures; enjoy the mystery of the unexplored; get a dose of epic adventure or a splash of wacky fun; there is no better daily escape than Travel Channel. Reaching more than 83 million U.S. cable homes, Travel Channel is the world's leading travel media brand. Fans also can visit Travel Channel for more information or interact with other fans through Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram. Headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, Travel Channel is owned by Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc., which also owns and operates HGTV, DIY Network, Food Network, Cooking Channel and Great American Country.