Wreck diving is among the greatest of all underwater adventures available, and using a metal detector to find artifacts can take it to a whole new level. When treasure hunting is permitted by law, the right equipment can help you find items that may have been lost for centuries.
Before You Get Started
Before you get started with underwater treasure hunting, be sure that you possess the proper dive certification for wreck diving. In addition, be certain that there are no laws prohibiting treasure hunting, the removal of artifacts, or underwater metal detecting. Flouting such laws can result in imprisonment, the confiscation of your scuba gear, steep fines, and other punishments as defined by law.
Choosing an Underwater Metal Detector
There are different types of underwater metal detectors. Some are designed for use in freshwater only, while others have salt water modes. If you plan to hunt for treasure mainly in salt water, choose a Multi-Frequency or Pulse Induction metal detector, as these are capable of seeking for buried items in salt water, and as they are particularly sensitive to precious metals such as gold and silver. A Very Low Frequency (VLF) metal detector is best for finding coins, jewelry, and relics, and is very good at discriminating treasure from junk targets. If you do choose a VLF model, ensure it has a salt water mode unless you are sure that you will not be hunting in ocean environments.
Another consideration to keep in mind when selecting an underwater metal detector is depth rating. Consider your current abilities, but keep in mind that you may be able to visit deeper sites at some point in the future.
What Can You Recover When Hunting for Treasure Underwater?
You can hunt for treasure underwater even if you don’t hunt around wrecks. People lose jewelry at beaches and popular swimming sites with alarming frequency, and it is possible to find plenty of modern treasures in areas where people spend time in the water. Some of these spots are more productive than others, and it is important that you keep your best hunting spots to yourself unless you want to share space with lots of other underwater treasure hunters.
If you are looking for older items, you should be aware that sediment and minerals tend to surround old items, and silver coins and other metal items oxidize when exposed to water, causing them to look a lot like small rocks after many years of submersion. Don’t bypass an item your detector hits on just because it isn’t gleaming! Oxidizing iron has an orange color, and it looks even lumpier than many other items.
Gold is the exception to the “lumpy rock” rule. Because it is inert, gold is not subject to oxidization, and it never loses its beautiful gleam. Keep a sharp eye out as you go. Patience is one of the great keys to underwater treasure hunting success.
Specialty underwater metal detectors allow you to locate things that aren’t visible to the naked eye. Prices start at just a few hundred dollars and go up into the thousands. Shop carefully and look for the model that will best suit your needs. No matter what you hope to find, treasure hunting is certain to provide you with hours of fun – and perhaps a few shiny rewards.