Metal Detecting -Treasure Hunting Florida’s Suncoast Beaches
Treasure hunting via metal detecting on Florida’s Suncoast beaches is a rewarding activity in many different ways. There are over 35 miles of beachfront here to enjoy making Pinellas County a great tourist destination.
Pier 60 at Clearwater Beach
Some of the more popular beaches are: Clearwater Beach, St Pete Beach, Maderia Beach, Indian Rocks Beach, and Redington Beach to name a few. There are also 3 beachfront county parks, Ft Desoto Park in south county, Sand Key Park mid county, and Fred Howard Park north county, all with great beaches to enjoy and explore. My home town of Dunedin in north Pinellas contains Honeymoon Island State Park which boasts 2 great beaches, Honeymoon and Caladesi. These magnificent gulf coast beaches are the draw for our many tourists, and with tourists comes treasure.
Some of the SRARC hunters, that’s me on the right.
Now let’s talk about treasure hunting.
Our many Pinellas County beaches are a treasure in themselves and create income and tax money for the residents and county. Treasure hunters, using metal detectors, seek the items lost both by tourists and residents as they enjoy our beaches. I have been enjoying my hobby of metal detecting (treasure hunting) for over 18 years and belong to the Suncoast Research and Recovery Club (SRARC). I enjoy hunting on the sandy beaches and in the water. Yes I am one of those older guys that people smile and laugh at when I pass by as they swim. With my metal detector and headphones on, large stainless steel scoop, sunglasses, hat, and either wetsuit (when cold) or long-sleeve sun protection clothing, I look at little out of place to tourists. Some younger people start beeping at me thinking they are imitating the sound my detector makes, while others are curious and start up a conversation (yes we can hear you talking when we have our headphones on so be careful when choosing your words). I have met some really nice people from all over our country and the world!
Now onto the treasure. We do find treasure, but not the treasure from Spanish ships as they may find on the other coast. Along with the trash we dig and properly dispose of, we find coins of all types, sunglasses, cell phones(even in the water), cameras, metal toys, jewelry of all types, and pull tabs (they sound like gold). Our primary target is the gold, platinum, and silver jewelry. How does the treasure we find get there? If you were to drop
a coin or your wedding band onto the fluffy white sand, it will immediately disappear. Some people take off their rings to put suntan lotion/oil on and place them in a shoe or on a towel forgetting this as they shake out the towel later in the day. That leaves a lot of possible treasure possibilities in the dry sand for the treasure hunter.
Hunting treasure in the water produces the best treasures. Picture a couple going for a swim on a hot summer day after placing lotion on themselves. The water is much cooler than the air causing their lotion lubricated finger to shrink. As they splash around or throw a ball the ring or rings may easily come off. Better yet watch the guys with their heavy gold chains dive head first into the surf and then realizing the clasp broke on the chain. Heavy surf conditions knock down swimmers also causing treasures to be lost, it always amazes me how many people will swim in these dangerous conditions. Gold being twice as dense as lead sinks quickly below the water and into the wet sand below where it disappears. Treasures we find in the water may have been lost many years ago! A gold ring will sink into the wet sand until it stops on shell base, stone or hard clay. Once it sinks below 10-12 inches in the wet sand our metal detectors can not find it. As the sand shifts it will either cover more items or expose items that have been buried for years.
Taylor lost his ring while filming a documentary for National Geographic.
If you lose an item at the beach in the sand or in the water, the treasure hunter you laughed at as he passed by will now be your salvation. We are not pirates, just treasure hunters enjoying the beach and will be glad to help you find your lost treasure. I have had many swimmers approach me and ask will that thing find rings. I personally return a
dozen or more wedding bands and engagement rings to their rightful owners each year which gives me great pleasure. The Suncoast Research and Recovery Club has a Ringfinders group which I belong to and returns an average of over 125 items each year.
Treasure hunting is my hobby, but helping folks buy and sell homes in Pinellas County is my passion.
Visit my website at www.MettsGroup.com to learn more about buying or selling a home in Pinellas County. You can also call me at 727 631-4191 to discuss your real estate needs or to learn more about treasure hunting on our beautiful beaches. You can also contact me for help in finding a lost treasure, our group will be happy to help.