Searching for treasure on the beach is one of life’s pleasures.
On sunny days you soak up the rays and on cold, windy days you appreciate the majesty of those crashing waves – not to mention the fresh air is great for your health.
Detecting metal on the beach is one of the most productive ways to use a metal detector. Beaches attract crowds of people who drop possessions from pockets and frozen fingers onto the constantly shifting sand. Once it’s fallen, they’re unlikely to find it again.
This has been the case since the threat of pirates passed and beaches became popular tourist haunts. You may find a ring that’s been buried for years. Who knows – it’s all part of the game.
Rings are a regular find on beaches throughout the world because cold water and chilling winds create numb fingers – and cold fingers mean rings can slip free.
Loose coins are regular finds on the beach too because undressing, dressing, sitting down, and lolling about on the sand tends to empty pockets.
However, all that glitters is not gold and you’ll find a whole array of rubbish there as well from drink cans to old car parts – it’s amazing what the sea can throw up.
If you fancy a go at beach metal detecting welcome to the club – here are tips to help you find treasure on the beach!
1. Check Out Permits
Before you start swinging that coil across the sand, check your preferred beach doesn’t require a permit. Public beaches may require permission from the local government and you’ll need to approach the owner of a private beach.
2. Make Sure Your Detector is Tough Enough For The Beach
If you’re sticking to dry, sandy areas then your regular detector will work just fine, but if you fancy delving into the wet sand or even the surf you may need a different machine.
This is because wet sand is often mixed with ‘black sand’, and black sand is mixed with iron and other minerals that can trick your detector into springing a signal. Salt from the ocean water and surf spray can also cause problems with components.
Beach metal detecting is so productive it won’t be long before you’re hooked. Pop a beach metal detector on your birthday list if you enjoy the surroundings.
3. Understand The Tides
Research always pays off so learn how to find metal at the beach by studying the tides.
Beaches are ever-changing beasts. They don’t placidly sit there but alter with the tides, seasons and weather patterns. Learn about these and you’ll find much more.
Tides are created by the gravitational pull of our moon. There are two high tides and two low tides a day. High tide is when the sea covers the sand and makes the beach area small. Low tide is when it pulls back to uncover the whole beach.
During high tide wave action shifts sand around, churning up potential finds, and then draws back. It’s an open invitation to investigate and it would rude not to look, but please, please be aware of when that tide is coming back in, especially if you’re on a secluded beach. Too many people have lost their lives to incoming tides.
Obviously, metal detecting at low tide is the time to look! Get there early because lots of folks enjoy beachcombing. The area to concentrate on soon after low tide is the visible wet sand. Look for troughs and dips – more on that later.
4. Understand the Motion of the Ocean
As well as ever-moving tides the sea tends to gravitate toward one end of the beach.
On pebble-filled beaches you’ll find one end of the shore has large stones whereas the other has finer sands.
Concentrate on the finer end because this is the direction that the sea has moved towards, taking its precious treasure with it. Jetties are a good place to search as objects get caught up in their gradual sweep down the beach.
5. Know How Seasons Affect the Beach
Seasons matter because it affects how people use the beach.
In summer it pays to check the watery areas as beach-goers are more likely to take a dip in the sea than in winter months.
Scour the area between lifeguarding posts and look for signs of sports like volleyball or sailing. Where there were people, there is treasure.
In winter it pays to search the dry sands particularly bonfire or picnic remains, dunes, and areas providing shelter from the elements.
But this all changes after a storm because high winds and crashing waves wash up and uncover metal that’s been buried for who knows how many years.
6. Don’t Let Stormy Weather Stop You!
Just like fossil hunting if there’s been a storm get thee to the coast and search out treasure.
The smashed tide line is a great place to begin searching after a storm, but be careful. Don’t go near the sea during bad weather. Seas are unpredictable and it’s not worth the risk.
You won’t be the only one there after a storm. Experienced metal detectorists know it’s prime hunting season because the sand will have moved more than usual.
Keep your eyes peeled for storm cuts. These are areas that the storm has damaged, such as dunes or areas of the beach. A storm can peel back layers of sand, allowing a glimpse of what’s usually hidden and a greater depth to search in.
Get there quick – it’s likely to refill fast.
7. Follow The Towel Line
The towel line is famous among beach metal detectors. It’s self-explanatory but I’ll go ahead.
The towel line refers to where beachgoers tend to place their towels. It’s above the high tide mark – usually, a line of seaweed or other bits the sea has temporarily left behind.
Sun-hungry folks dump their belongings here, apply sunscreen which makes their fingers slippery, and rifle through their bags. Objects fall off and out with alarming frequency.
You’ll find sunglasses, phones, coins, and jewelry along the towel line, along with Coke cans, beer cans and tin foil depending on the quality of your detector.
8. Avoid Wide Open Space
Whilst the empty stretch of beach is tempting, it isn’t likely to yield much and should be the last place you look over.
9. Check Troughs and Pockets
Hotspots alert!
Troughs are dipped areas of sand close to the waterline or just before a sandbar. A long trough is often visible parallel to the shoreline.
Troughs are great places to search and one of the first places experienced detectorists look for after the towel line. Finding one is key to finding treasures.
Items often settle in these temporary troughs as the sea retracts to low tide. The water in them doesn’t move as fast as the waves and allows objects to sink there especially for you to find.
‘Pocket’ is the term describing an area where larger numbers of objects are found – it’s a natural box of gifts that may be in a trough or a dip. Go extra slowly with your metal detector and if you find something keep on looking close by.
When you find a trough or a pocket take your time because it might not be there tomorrow. Beaches constantly change – but that’s what makes them so exciting for metal detecting.
10. Beep Beep – Get Digging
OMG – a target! But wait, because digging sand is different from digging soil, unfortunately, it’s much more frustrating.
On soft sand, you may find digging an almost impossible task. Fine dry sand simply slips back into the hole, re-filling it until your head is fit to burst with frustration.
Damp sand is easier, but the hole will fill with water. Go slowly and scan the pile of discarded damp sand frequently to check you haven’t already pulled your priceless gold ring free.
If you’re digging in the surf, you’ve got to be quick and watch for the waves pulling your target back out to sea.
Go armed with a decent spade, trowel, or specialist beach scoop to help the digging.
11. Rock-Filled Areas Are Hot Spots
Sandy beaches that have outcrops of stones or pebbles are mini gold mines. If you find one near a sunbathing area you’ll be calling bingo.
Rocky outcrops are great little hotspots because stones trap rings, coins, and other metals preventing them from washing away. Keep your eyes peeled for pebbled areas and take your time scanning them.
Rocky areas may change with every tide bringing new finds with them.
12. Check out Rock Pools
Most of us delved into rock pools as children but we were searching for crabs then. Now we’re looking for gold!
Never let a rock pool pass by if you’re metal detecting on the beach. They are natural holes that trap tidal action on a twice-daily basis – and this means they potentially refill with new treasures twice a day.
There’s also the possibility that someone has been reaching into crab hunt and something has slipped from their person. If you find rock pools near the sandy tourist areas pay extra attention to the beep.
Just a word of warning here, seaweed makes rock pools very slippery and dangerous. Be careful, and wear sturdy shoes.
13. Read the Forums
If you’re getting serious about beach metal detecting check if there’s a metal-detectors forum posting about finds on your local beach.
Its great camaraderie and they may also have localized tips on hot spots and tidal action. It’s always encouraging to see what others have found. Next time, it could be you.
14. Prepare for Metal Detecting With Children
Children universally love a treasure hunt. They can barely contain their excitement at first but eventually, get bored if finds are thin on the ground.
If you’re taking children metal detecting on the beach, always scan areas around food outlets for dropped cash. Finding a coin can make a child’s day.
If you don’t find anything be prepared to hide a coin or two. You may think this is cheating but it’s disheartening for the youngsters to find nothing but Coke cans. Hiding coins in the sand so they can dig them up helps foster a love of metal detecting – and prevents boredom tantrums.
Be sure to check out my guide to the best kids’ metal detector.
15. Returning Property
If you find a piece of jewelry considers trying to track down its owner.
Jewelry can have sentimental value and the owner might love to have it back. We all make mistakes, losing your wedding ring can be very upsetting for example. Do the right thing.
If the owner can’t be traced then at least you tried.
Beach Metal Detecting Never Gets Old
Every time you head out to the sands you’re given brand new conditions to search in. How exciting is that?
Tides, weather, tourists, and constant ocean motion keeps it fresh. You’ve more chance of finding metal on the beach than anywhere else.
But we all have bad days, and if you don’t find any metal you could always collect other beach treasures such as driftwood, shells and sea-glass for example, and while you’re there consider clearing away some rubbish. Our beaches are turning into trash cans and killing wildlife.
Some beaches even have a bucket-filling scheme to encourage clean-up. In return for a full bucket of rubbish, they’ll give you a free coffee. Take part in this if you can because we don’t want to let David Attenborough down do we? And free coffee is always good, especially if it’s a windy, chilly day.
So there we have some top tips to get you started metal detecting on the beach. If you’ve never tried it, guaranteed you’ll be hooked. We do love to be beside the seaside, and if you find some gold treasure too what could be better?
Tips to Find Gold
Of course, gold is the most valuable metal that you are likely to find at the beach, so it is important that you know what to do and how to increase your chances of finding gold. The following tips and tricks will help you find gold on your beach metal detecting expeditions.
Ignore the Clad
Modern coins are made using non-precious metals, and they are a big tell-tale sign of modern activity. Don’t let yourself get distracted with clad hits while you are out beach detecting, as it will divert your focus away from gold rings and other more precious finds.
Pay Attention to Good Signal
Metal detecting on dry and wet sand isn’t always easy, and the signals you get could be very faint. With the help of a sand scoop and a good understanding of your metal detector signals, you will be able to get to the target easily.
Using headphones will help you stay focused on the metal detector signal to not miss any targets. You might also want to fluff up any hard-packed sand if you have an inkling that there is something precious there to help your metal detector pick up the signal better. Have a look at this video for more metal detecting for gold tips.
Avoid Most Common Metal Detecting Mistakes
One of the best beach metal detecting tips I could give you is to learn from other people’s mistakes! Grabbing your metal detector and beginning your search isn’t always going to end in successful metal detecting finds unless you know what not to do on your trips. Here are some of the most common metal detecting mistakes that amateurs and professionals make.
Buying the Wrong Detector
Metal detectors are complicated machines, but not all of them are capable of searching for every type of metal. If your metal detecting goal is to find gold, you should look for a metal detector capable of detecting gold.
Consider where you are going to metal detect. For example, metal detecting on the beach requires the use of a waterproof metal detector, so this is a feature to look out for when you are shopping around for a metal detector.
Finally, make sure the metal detector you purchase is suitable for your level of experience. An expert metal detector will overwhelm a beginner, and a beginner metal detector will be too simple for an experienced metal detectorist. The metal detector also needs to adjust well to your height and be a suitable weight for you can carry.
Not Setting the Machine Properly
This might seem obvious, but you will be surprised at how many experienced metal detecting hobbyists make the mistake of not setting their metal detector to the right setting. Thinking about what you want to find on your metal detecting trip before heading out will help you know how to set your metal detector.
Always read the user guide and never throw it away so that you can use it as a reference. This will help you tackle issues seamlessly along the way.
Detecting Everything Around You
Don’t be tempted to metal detect absolutely everything around you. This will waste time and distract you from the ultimate goal.
You should also think about what time you are going to go metal detecting before heading out. First thing in the morning is the best time to go metal detecting regardless of the location because fewer people will be around to distract you or interfere.
Not asking for permission
Any time you want to metal detect on private land, you must ask for the landowner’s permission before you do so. Ideally, you want to get written permission and arrange a set time that you are going to start and finish the metal detecting on their property. Some landowners will expect you to share anything you find with them, so make sure you have a good understanding of expectations before you start detecting.
Misunderstanding State Laws
Another big mistake is a misunderstanding or failing to research the state laws surrounding metal detecting where you live. Most states have a ‘finders keepers’ law when it comes to any treasure that you have found, but it is important to note that certain areas require you to hand in metal-detected items that are worth over $100 to the police.
Not Bringing the Right Digging Equipment
It is no good getting lots of hits on your metal detector if you can’t dig them up! Being well prepared with digging equipment doesn’t mean that you have to take lots of heavy tools with you on your trip; instead, you can purchase handheld digging tools that are perfect for taking on treasure hunting trips.
The best way to learn about metal detecting is by following experienced metal detectorists’ advice. This video is the ultimate guide for metal detecting on the beach that is packed full of advice, tips, and tricks for you to use.
Another guide I found useful is this video for new metal detectorists. It will help you remember the most important things to do in order to have a successful metal detecting trip.
I hope you found the information in this article useful. If you have any more tips and tricks that you want to share with budding metal detecting enthusiasts, please share them in the comments section below!
I just got a minellab metal detector 3030 I trying to find the best programming for gold and coins that helped me a lot