Whether you’re an experienced detectorist or just a beginner getting started, the beach is a great place to explore for jewelry, coins, and other hidden treasure, hunting opportunities are there for the taking!
Here are 5 beginner-friendly tips to get you starting.
1. Choose the right gear
To get started, you’ll need to gather the proper equipment, the most important pieces of equipment are the metal detector and a shovel or other digging tools. There are dozens of metal detectors on the market, and most will work fine for detecting coins and jewelry at the beach. However, if you’re serious about finding treasure, it’s important to choose the right detector.
There are a variety of metal detectors designed to be used on the beach, these detectors have been specifically designed to handle the sandy environment and often produce better results than standard detectors. Some detectors are specifically designed for hunting for coins and jewelry, while others are better for hunting objects like old nails or copper wire.
2. Know the basics
Make sure you know the basics of metal detecting – including how to use the detector, you can start by reading the manual that came with it. Practice before you go out to ensure you have a good understanding of how it works.
3. Use common sense
The most important thing to remember when metal detecting at the beach is to use common sense, pay attention to your detector and keep your eyes open, scan the beachfront continuously for potential targets – if you see something that looks interesting, stop and investigate!
Look for areas that have been exposed by the waves. This includes anything that has been washed up on the shoreline or is at the very edge of the sand.
When hunting for valuable jewelry or coins, use caution when digging. Digging too deep can damage or destroy the items you’re searching for.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help! Friends, family, and other beachgoers are often more than happy to offer a hand.
4. Keep your detector clean
Sand and other material will build up over time and can affect the performance of your detector, you must clean it often to keep it in good working condition. Use a damp cloth to clean your metal detector when you are finished detecting, stay away from polluted areas, if your metal detector isn’t water-proof keep it away from water!
5. Stay safe
Wear appropriate clothing when detecting at the beach. Be sure to wear sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses to protect your skin from the sun. Be aware of your surroundings and do not wander off course, make sure to stay within sight of others, make sure to keep an eye out for any cliffs, rocks, or other obstacles
Most of your finds aren’t always going to turn up treasure and will mostly consist of metal scrap, including pieces of metal pipes, nails, screws, and bolts. But don’t let this discourage you, patience is key when hunting for treasure at the beach – it can take a while to find anything valuable.