Metal detecting is a popular hobby that has been around since the 1940s. It’s not just about finding coins or jewelry, but it can be a great way to explore your surroundings and learn more about history while you’re at it.
What better place to find some relics than on the beach? In this blog post we’ll take a look at 10 of the Best Beaches in Florida to Metal Detect.
What You Need to Know Before You Go Metal Detecting on Florida Beaches
Before heading out metal detecting at any beach in the state keep these things in mind:
– It is illegal to disturb or remove anything from public beaches that are protected by the Florida Antiquities Act
– If you want to metal detect on a beach in Florida, be sure to have a permit from the Historic Preservation Division
The state also requires that those who wish to do so must register their detectors with one of three agencies: Historical Resources, Wildlife or Environmental Protection.
10 Best Beaches in Florida to Metal Detect
While metal detecting on a beach might seem like a daunting task at first, there are actually many beaches that have been found with relics from all over the world from shipwrecks and commercial trading. There are a number of different beaches throughout Florida that can offer you some great finds, but here’s our top ten list:
1. Pepper Park Beach
It is a Spanish shipwreck that was discovered in 1928 and has since been referred to as “The Wedge Wreck.” The ship was carrying a treasure trove of goods from Spain, including gold doubloons and pearls. The shipwreck is one of the only known 16th century Spanish galleons in the region still intact.
2. Vero Beach
The area around Vero Beach is known as The Treasure Coast because of the gold, silver and other ancient treasures buried under its waters. Many people have been able to find a variety of different types of artifacts in its shallow waters.
3. Siesta Key
The area is said to be a popular pirate port since it has such shallow water and was full of mangrove swamps which could serve as hiding places for the pirates.
So far more than 2,000 shipwreck discoveries have been made around the Sarasota area. The most interesting one being the 108-foot sloop named “Halcyon” from 1985. This particular shipwreck was in great shape and had a cargo of rare oils, wines, spices and ivory on it.
4. Wabasso Beach
Another treasure-hunting paradise is Wabasso Beach, which is located north of Vero Beach. It is famous for its shipwrecks and pirate activity. Many people have found coins, jewels, gold and silver while metal detecting or surfing!
5. Cape Canaveral
The Cape Canaveral area is also a treasure hunter’s paradise. It has many shipwrecks including the U.S. Air Force space shuttle, “Challenger.”
6. Melbourne Beach
The treasures of Melbourne Beach are not only hidden on its shores, but inside them. Its surrounding area is known for its ancient bones and fossils that can be found in the rocks.
7. Aquarina Beach
South Beach is a popular beach destination among locals. There has been a long history of “mini-paleontologists” who love to go there and dig for fossils. There is no better place to take your metal detector than here.
8. La Playa Beach
In the town of Naples, Florida it’s legal to metal detect if you have a permit. However, it is important to avoid these beach areas: Collier-Seminole State Park Booker Creek Preserve Horseshoe Beach Black Island
9. Sebastian Inlet
This park can be found along the east coast of Florida on the Atlantic side and has some of the best wrecks in this area. There are many different types of metals, including gold and silver.
If you’re new to this game, one useful hint is to look along the high-tide line because it’s where you’ll find the most valuable things. Also, stick to the beach since anything discovered on the dunes cannot be kept.
10. Lori Wilson Park
Lori Wilson Park is a hidden gem of Cocoa Beach that offers metal detecting enthusiasts the chance to find some unique treasures. Located at the North Beach District, this place is a frequented by many metal detectorists. In fact, there have been over 500 shipwrecks discovered in these waters!
Listed above are the most popular beaches in Florida to metal detect. If you’re new, be sure not to miss out on these hidden spots for yourself!
What You Need to Know More About Florida
Florida is located in the southeastern portion of the United States, and is known for its sunny beaches. Even if you are not a metal detectorist, it’s still worth taking a trip to learn about Florida’s history. It can be a great place to take the family for an educational vacation, and it’s also known as one of the most dog-friendly states in America.
Florida has 23 national parks, more than 450 public beaches, and a plethora of other activities and attractions to offer its guests. It’s a nice climate with an average temperature of about 75 degrees Fahrenheit all year.
Some Tips for Metal Detecting at the Beach
Here are some of the helpful tips for metal detecting at the beach that you need to know!
- The best time to go is during low tide. You will be able to cover more ground and find less debris buried in the sand when it’s wetter.
- Bring a shovel, extra bags for your finds, sunscreen, sunglasses, bug spray, water bottle & snacks if you plan on spending the day.
- Wear shoes with good grip since you will be walking across wet sand and rocks during low tide. Be careful not to slip, especially when entering the water too!
- Don’t forget your metal detector’s pin-pointer switch is there for a reason; it helps pinpoint objects more efficiently so you don’t have to guess where something is hiding under the sand.
- Always fill your holes back up after you’ve dug them since someone else may just want to build a sandcastle there if they stumble upon it!
- Metal detecting at night can be fun too, but don’t forget about all of those bugs that will probably come out so bring the bug spray and wear long sleeves to avoid getting bitten up.
- If you find something valuable, make sure it’s in your possession before leaving the beach!
- Don’t forget to keep an eye on sea turtle nests during nesting season (May 15th through October 31st). If they need help hatching.
- Don’t damage seashells when digging. Gently move them to one side with your shovel, but avoid breaking any parts off of it because that could cause environmental concerns down the line!
- There are metal detecting clubs in Florida where you can seek advice for beach hunting or even join up if you’re interested in meeting local enthusiasts and learning more.
- If you’re an experienced pro, remember that anything can be found in any beach so keep this mindset while searching! There’s no harm in visiting a new location to make your own personal discoveries after all.
These tips should help you get started with beach metal detecting!
Why Use Metal Detectors for Treasure Hunting?
There are many uses for metal detectors when it comes to treasure hunting.
One of the most dramatic uses they have is that they can be used in order to find buried treasures, but they are also very helpful when it comes to finding old relics and coins, which are often hidden beneath the ground or even in water.
They can be especially useful if you are doing research to find out about the history of a location, especially if it is an old one. Today metal detectors are easy to use and you can get them at affordable prices, which means that they are accessible for many people around the world.
So why should you choose metal detectors over other treasure hunting tools?
A lot of other treasure hunting tools are very expensive and require a lot of skill to use, such as dowsing rods or ground penetrating radar devices.
- Metal detectors on the other hand can be used by just about anyone. You need to know how to operate your metal detector properly, but apart from that it is very easy for people of all skill levels to learn how to use them.
- All you need is a metal detector, some patience and knowledge about metal detecting, but these are easily available for anyone who wants to try their luck at treasure hunting.
- When other people go out to find treasures using other methods they can end up without any results, while if you were to use metal detectors then you would be more likely to find something.
- With the help of metal detectors you can easily locate treasures or relics that are hidden beneath the ground, but they can also be used in order to find coins and old rings that have been lost somewhere.
Using a metal detector is very easy for anyone who wants to try their luck at treasure hunting, so it will be well worth your time and effort if you want to try out this kind of activity.
Final Thought
There are a few beaches where metal detecting is not permitted, but the majority of them have no restrictions. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has a list of all public beaches and what you can do on each one including metal detectors.
You may find your next treasure or relic from an old shipwreck! Happy hunting, and happy summer!
