Underwater Metal Detecting Guide
Dive Into Treasure Hunting
Complete guide to underwater and scuba metal detecting. Equipment requirements, dive planning, and techniques for finding submerged treasures.
- 1Equipment Requirements
- 2Snorkeling Detection
- 3Scuba Detecting
- 4Freshwater vs Saltwater
Underwater Detectors: - Must be fully submersible (not just water-resistant) - Depth rating matters (10ft vs 200ft) - Pulse Induction handles salt best
Top Underwater Detectors: 1. Minelab Excalibur II (200ft, legendary for diving) 2. Garrett Sea Hunter Mark II (200ft, PI) 3. Minelab Equinox 900 (16ft, multi-frequency) 4. Garrett AT Pro (10ft, versatile)
Pinpointers: - Garrett Pro-Pointer AT (20ft) - Minelab Pro-Find 40 (10ft) - Nokta PulseDive (200ft)
Snorkeling is the entry point to underwater detecting:
Equipment: - Waterproof detector (10ft+ rating) - Mask and snorkel - Fins - Weight belt (helps stay down) - Mesh finds bag - Stainless sand scoop
Best Locations: - Swimming beaches - Boat ramps - Fishing piers - Popular swimming holes
Technique: - Work parallel to shore - Grid overlapping swaths - Mark productive areas
Scuba opens deeper waters but adds complexity:
Detector Considerations: - 200ft+ rating for serious diving - PI technology for salt - Weight and buoyancy effects - Wireless headphones essential
Dive Planning: - Standard dive tables apply - Detector work increases air consumption - Plan shorter bottom times - Buddy diving recommended
Technique: - Secure detector to BCD when not in use - Fan sand gently to reveal targets - Work with current when possible
Freshwater: - VLF detectors work well - Standard discrimination effective - Less corrosion on finds - Often clearer visibility
Saltwater: - PI recommended for depth - Multi-frequency for versatility - Rinse equipment after every use - More valuable finds (gold sinks)
Detectors We'd Recommend After Reading This
Our current picks for the kind of hunting this guide covers, ranked on rating and review volume.
Garrett AT Pro
The AT Pro set the standard for waterproof VLF detectors with 10-foot submersion rating and 15 kHz frequency optimized for coins and jewelry. Pro Audio modes provide nuanced target information that experienced hunters appreciate. Manual ground balance handles beach mineralization that trips up preset-only machines.
Price may vary
Minelab X-Terra Pro
The X-Terra Pro delivers full IP68 waterproofing with Multi-IQ+ at a mid-range price. Pro-Switch audio lets you toggle between modes without menu diving, and both single and multi-frequency options give flexibility for different targets. Lightweight at 2.47 lbs, it swings easy during long sessions.
Price may vary
Garrett AT Max
The AT Max adds Z-Lynk wireless technology with just 17ms latency—fast enough that audio feels instantaneous. True All-Metal mode bypasses discrimination for maximum depth on deep targets. Enhanced ground balance tracking and backlit display make it the most capable AT series detector for challenging conditions.
Price may vary
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