How to Hunt & Dive

Find Treasure

Find gold coins on the Treasure Coast of Florida or lost jewelry, phones or just about anything at your favorite dock or swimming hole.

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The above video is a great example of a man with a passion and plenty of success. If this doesn't get "treasure fever" flowing try the video below about multiple finds from 11 sunken Spanish Galleons in 1715. Get out there and get after it, here's how:

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Best Methods & Gear:

Underwater:

• Do your research to find spots that might be productive.

• If you're searching for treasure and you find something, mark the location with a Safety Sausage and reel. Tie off to something nearby or dive with a stake or weight.

• Use a search grid to look for additional items in the area. Check out this Wiki detail on Underwater Searches

• What to look for:

  • Solid gold does not tarnish or corrode so if you find it, it will look pretty much like the day if was lost.​

  • Silver coins tarnish and build up a a layer of gunk that looks like an "Oreo" cookie.​

 

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A note about found treasure. I'm not a lawyer but my understanding is that in Florida, any treasure found at sea can be claimed by the country who it originally belonged to. For instance if you were to find Spanish gold coins, Spain will likely be able to sue you and take them from you. There are many wrecks found that have active salvage rights assigned to those who found it in conjunction with governments. Do your research and be sure not to dive on these sites as you will be held responsible for trespassing and theft if diving on them without permission. Note: If you find anything within the riparian (the area of low tide and high tide) or on the beach you can keep those Spanish gold coins. 

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Gear:​

• Big metal detector - Cover more area. Typically capable of multiple tones to denote the difference between ferrous and nonferrous metals.

• Hand held metal detector - Easier to carry but smaller search path. Likely no features to indicate ferrous vs nonferrous metals however they can detect gold and silver.

• Pin Pointer - Allows you to find the small coin, ring or other metal object rather than sift through 12" dia and 10" deep of material.

• Shovel/Sift: Allows you to move some earth/sand and sift out the fine stuff.

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Above Water: Magnet Fishing. Tie rope to magnet. Tie the other end of rope to something stationary. Not you. Throw magnet in water in areas where humans may have dropped or thrown something in the water. Pull in magnet. Repeat. Note: Gold and silver are not magnetic. It needs to be a ferrous metal.

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Cleaning treasure with electrolysis: See below info on how to clean both ferrous and nonferrous metals using DIY electrolysis.