The beach is one of the most exciting and easiest places to go metal detecting. It’s much easier than the woods because I don’t have to worry about ticks, spiders, and who knows what.
I’ve compiled a list of my favorite metal detecting tips at the beach that will make things much easier for you.
17 Beach Metal Detecting Tips
If you’ve never metal detecting at the beach before, don’t worry, I’ve got you. Here are some of my top metal detecting tips for the beach, designed to help you avoid common mistakes and make treasure hunting fun and easy.
Tip #1: Get Your Permit If Needed and Check Local Laws
The first step for metal detecting on the beach (and anywhere else) is to make sure that it’s legal. Many public beaches allow people to metal detect without a permit.
Before you get your gear ready, make sure to check with the local laws and regulations regarding metal detecting on public beaches.
Consider obtaining a permit if local laws require one for public beach metal detecting. If you’re good to go to public beaches, make sure to only metal detect on public beaches.
It’s very easy to walk on the beach and not notice the signs and buildings. You could easily end up walking onto private property. So, just be careful and mindful of the signage.
Also, be aware that certain parts of the beach may be closed for conservation purposes. For example, some beaches have areas blocked off during sea turtle nesting season.
Tip #2: Use a Metal Detector That’s Best for Beaches
A waterproof metal detector is the first thing to look for before swinging at the beach. Sure, you could get by without a waterproof metal detector with dry sand, but it might not be as fun if you can’t detect on the shoreline.
It’s easy to find a waterproof metal detector, and you can get one for under $200 if you’re on a budget.
Also, remember that the minerals and saltwater at the beach can significantly interfere with a metal detector, even the waterproof ones. It’s ideal to use a metal detector that was specifically designed for the saltwater environment.
In contrast, look for a pulse induction metal detector. A very low frequency (VLF) metal detector commonly used for ground treasure hunting can give inaccurate readings in salty environments. A PI detector helps you avoid missing out on valuable treasures at the beach.
Tip #3: Wear the Right Clothing and Use Sunscreen
Firstly, what you wear to the beach depends on how long you plan to be there.
Do you plan on going for a swim and then messing around with the metal detector for a bit? You can wear your swimming clothes if you’re only going to swing for a few minutes or so.
If you’re going to the beach solely to metal detect, you need to treat the beach like any other place where you’d go treasure hunting.
Wear clothing that is comfortable and protects your skin from the sun.
There won’t be many trees at the beach (if any), so you’ll have a lot more sun exposure compared to other places you might metal detect, such as the woods.
Don’t forget to wear sunscreen and reapply as needed. It’s very easy to lose track of time at the beach when you’re having fun, so you have to remind yourself constantly.
Tip # 4: Look for Pockets of Water
Small pockets of water at the beach are significant areas to search for coins and jewelry. They have a magnetic effect, pulling in potential treasures.
Also known as tidepools, they’re created after waves have crashed into the sand and leave behind any objects that the surf has pulled in and sunk to the bottom.
Tip #5: Go In the Evenings (Especially during tourist season!)
Metal detecting at the beach at nighttime is simply the best. Then again, I’m a night owl. The sun is down, and you don’t have to worry about getting sunburned or getting dehydrated so easily.
Most people have packed up and left the beach by evening, leaving behind many coins and other potential treasures. Use a great flashlight and start swinging away.
Be aware of the beach’s hours and observe any signs indicating the time frame that allows visitors.
Tip #6: Use a Sand Scoop
A great sand scoop makes metal detecting at the beach a heck of a lot easier. It can be very time-consuming to sift through the sand with your hands, and it can sometimes be dangerous if there are glass, sharp items, or seashells.
If only a sand scoop worked well with most terrains! Whenever you get a hit, scoop up the pile of sand and then scan the hole again to determine if you’ve retrieved the item.
Tip #7: Metal Detect Trashy Areas
Trashy areas have their pros and cons. On one hand, you can get an endless number of hits and not find anything good. However, a trashier area can also mean that it hasn’t been hit by many metal detectorists, at least not recently.
In contrast, areas with trash often signal more human activity. A tourist area, unfortunately, may have a lot of trash that has been left behind. However, that also means people were there and may have left behind coins and other objects.
It can be super annoying to hit trash signals and pull tab after tab out of the sand. However, tabs and other debris indicate that people have not been metal detecting that area much, if at all.
You have to persevere, pick up the trash, and sift through until you can find something good. Hey, it’s just a part of life for a metal detectorist!
Tip #8: Respect the Beach
While respecting the beach may sound like common sense, the reality is that many people don’t. There are rules of the beach that must be followed, and conservation regulations are often in place to protect the environment.
Make sure to always fill in your holes after digging. It can be very easy to step into a hole while walking and break an ankle.
Even better, if you come across any trash while metal detecting, it’s best practice to pick it up and dispose of it properly. It requires very little time, and if everyone picked up the trash they found, it’d help planet Earth.
Avoid any conservation areas and be aware of any protected areas during sea turtle nesting season.
Mother Earth wants you to enjoy the beach just as much as any other creature. Finding treasure is a win-win for you and the planet, as you clean up the beach and discover fantastic treasures.
Tip #9: Search After Storms and Large Waves
There’s a lot of treasure just sitting at the bottom of the ocean. One of my favorite metal detecting tips at the beach is to go right after a storm that has produced powerful surf.
Strong surf can bring in potential coins, relics, and other treasures that have been deep in the ocean and buried in the sand far from the beach.
Furthermore, metal detecting after a hurricane is great because hurricanes can remove several feet of sand, revealing objects underneath that may have been hidden for a long time.
An estimated $60 billion in treasure is believed to be hidden in the ocean. It’s up to us to find that treasure, and metal detecting after storms is one way to find it.
Tip # 10: Stay Hydrated
Drinking plenty of water may sound like common sense, yet it can be easy to forget, especially when you’re surrounded by it!
Be sure to bring bottles of water or a canteen to the beach and sip on water regularly. I like to take electrolytes before going outdoors for extra hydration or when I’m going out in the sun. Consider bringing a container of trace minerals to add to your water.
Remember, you can become dehydrated quickly at the beach, so drink plenty of water, even if you aren’t thirsty yet.
Tip #11: Watch Live Beach Cams
I watch beach cams during hurricane season to track the storm as it approaches and observe it from afar. However, you can also leverage beach cams for metal detecting.
Many popular public beaches feature live 24/7 beach cams. While not every beach and area is covered by a beach cam, they are easy to find online.
To find a local beach cam, Google [Beach name] + [Live Cam] and see if you can find one in your area. You can often find a specific location on the beach with each cam.
The benefit for metal detectorists is that you can see how busy the beach is, whether it’s worth going out metal detecting, and if there’s a lot of trash in the area.
You can waste a lot of time if you get to the beach and find that there are so many people there that you can’t even do treasure hunting! Beach cams can be a viable solution during busy times.
You can also check the beach during the daytime to see where the most people are, and then metal detect at that spot when most people are gone. That eliminates a lot of the guesswork involved in figuring out where the heavy traffic is.
Tip #12: Visit the Beach During Off Season
While summer and the tourist season significantly increase the chances of finding treasure, one of my favorite metal detecting tips for the beach is to go during the off-season.
Why? Because people are always going to the beach year-round. People walk the coast, go running, and enjoy the beach even if there are fewer people than in the summer.
Furthermore, the ocean’s waves constantly bring in new objects. The waves never stop! Every day of the year means new possibilities for treasure hunters.
Tip #13: Try Underwater Metal Detecting
While many of these tips are geared towards metal detecting on dry sand and shorelines, underwater metal detecting is another excellent option. I’m talking about getting in deeper water that requires swim shorts and goggles.
Remember, it’s very easy to lose objects in the water because of the current, waves, and constant movement. For that, again, I recommend a sand scoop! It’ll save you a lot of time and frustration, making underwater treasure hunting a much easier process.
By the way, you may notice some extraordinary marine life underwater. It’s always fun to watch fish and underwater critters through goggles. I’ve loved doing it since I was a little kid!
Ah, speaking of goggles, wear goggles if you’re going to go deeper than the knees! Without goggles, it’s simply too difficult to pinpoint objects underwater since you can’t open your eyes.
Tip #14: Use a Metal Detecting Pinpointer
Nothing is more annoying with metal detecting than spending a long time trying to pinpoint an item. Minerals can also throw off a signal in the sand, making it even more difficult.
The solution: use a metal detecting pin pointer.
Ensure you use a pinpointer designed explicitly for use in harsh, sandy conditions. A standard metal detecting pinpointer might get damaged at the beach and ruin it. Fortunately, there are numerous waterproof pinpointers on the market to choose from.
Tip #15: Bring a Metal Detecting Pouch
A handy dandy metal detecting pouch is a must if you’re going to be metal detecting for a while. Carrying a bucket or bag can get annoying. Trust me, I’ve tried!
Bring a durable metal detecting pouch that you can wear and store your items in. Consider getting a pouch explicitly designed for the beach. Many have meshes on the bottom that allow sand and water to drain out easily.
Also, because there are different compartments, you can put your junk in one pouch and your treasure in the other. Nothing is more frustrating than having a great find and then losing it. A pouch helps to prevent that.
Tip #16: Wear Gloves
I know for me, the beach always has a way of stinging and pricking me when I put my hands in the sand.
Little seashells, small insects, and even small sharp objects are always possible while digging in the sand. It’s also annoying to constantly get sand in my fingernails.
Wearing gloves is a great way to keep your hands safe during treasure hunting. Furthermore, if you choose to metal detect during a colder season, it’ll also keep your hands warm.
Tip #17: Watch the Waves!
You don’t have much to worry about with waves if you’re metal detecting on or past the shoreline. However, if you choose to metal detect within the water, you must watch out for waves.
Always be aware of the waves behind you. It can be awful if you’re holding a metal detector and have equipment when all of a sudden, a big wave hits you.
Be mindful of your surroundings and stay safe in the water. Oh, and not to mention, you don’t want to lose your treasure, too!
Recap
I hope you found these metal detecting tips helpful for the beach! They’re great tips, especially for beginners who don’t know where to start.
Be aware of the safety tips and have a great time at the beach! The beach is one of the best environments for metal detecting because it tends to receive a lot of traffic, and the sand is easy to dig into.
Please comment below and share any tips you have for metal detecting at the beach.