Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
History and science combine in modern pirate treasure hunt.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Pirate Gold of Adak Island
What's the Story?
PIRATE GOLD OF ADAK ISLAND is a reality series that follows a group of committed treasure hunters looking for buried gold on a remote island. In 1892 Russian pirate Gregory Dwargstof buried over $300 million worth of gold coins in 150 tin cans throughout the island of Adak, which is located in the southwestern part of the Aleutian Islands. Since then, only two cans have been found. But now the town of Adak has fewer than 50 residents and is on the brink of economic ruin. To save it, Mayor Thom Spitler has assembled a team of professionals, including geographer M. Jackson, technologist Brian Weed, equipment specialist Burke Mitchell, and fabricator Jay Toomoth, to search the inhospitable tundra for the 348 cans of gold that have yet to be discovered. But Adak island, which was home to a U.S. Naval Base until the 1990s, has significantly changed since the first coins were found. It's also riddled with live munitions, making the search extremely dangerous. Meanwhile, the expedition team only has a few months to search before the winter freezes everything over, and few clues to guide them. But they all have hopes that they'll find more of what Captain Dwargstof left behind.
Is It Any Good?
The interesting series offers viewers a chance to see a modern-day treasure hunt on one of the most remote places in the United States. It shows how the team combines details from the local legends passed down through generations about the gold with historical and geographical research to retrace Captain Dwargstof's steps. It also reveals how they use this information, along with modern technology, to determine where and how to dig. However, Pirate Gold of Adak is as much a historical narrative as it is a treasure hunt, and (perhaps unwittingly) reveals the adverse impact the decommissioning of the Adak Naval Base has had on the island and the people who live there. It's not the most action-packed of adventures, and there are scenes that look and sound staged. But it's a compelling watch for those who enjoy learning more about U.S. history and geography.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Captain Gregory Dwargstof. Where was he from? Why is he considered a pirate? Why didn't he return to Adak Island for his treasure?
How real are the events that unfold on Pirate Gold of Adak? Is what the expedition team finds really unexpected? Or are they just making it seem that way to create a good story?
TV Details
- Premiere date : June 29, 2022
- Cast : M. Jackson , Burke Mitchell , Thom Spitler , Brian Weed , Jay Toomoth
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Reality TV
- Topics : Adventures
- Character Strengths : Curiosity , Perseverance , Teamwork
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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