Water Hunting on the TREASURE COAST
Water Hunting on the TREASURE COAST
Wabasso
beach near Sebastian inlet is the place to go if looking for 1715 Spanish
treasure. But everyone that reads any of the treasure books comes here looking
for treasure. I live only 4 miles from there. I never go there without seeing
someone else with a detector. So many "get rich quick" kind of people
show up with a brand new detector and shinny scoop. Only to be disappointed at
only finding 15 cents in change. We have a local club with over 50 members. A lot of
members are retired and hit those beaches everyday. You might find some recently
lost jewelry, but Spanish treasure is not likely. But it does happen, so by all means, come and
try. The only time anything good is found here anymore is after a good northeast
storm that we get in November, or a good close hurricane during the summer.
Make
sure you stay away from all National and State Parks in the area. Detecting is
illegal there. But you may detect in a state park on the beach ONLY, not inland.
But check with the park Rangers 1st. Do not get
caught digging the dunes or messing with sea turtle nests. You may work any beach from the low tide to the high
tide water line, including a state park with Ranger permission, but NOT the national seashore at
Canaveral. NO metal detecting of any kind is allowed there.
And
most of the Treasure Coast is covered under leases from the state and water
hunting is prohibited unless you are working with a lease from company, Queens
Jewels, LLC 1715 Fleet and the state of Florida. The Mel Fisher group no long
controls this part of Florida's salvage operations. The area extends from a few miles north of the
Sebastian inlet all the way south down to Ft Pierce.
A
lot of modern and common jewelry is found at Ft. Lauderdale, Delray, Pompano,
Boca Raton, Boynton, and Miami beaches too. You can water hunt in these places
without any trouble. Melbourne and Satellite beaches seem to be ok to. I
understand that Riviera
Beach in Palm Beach is now closed the metal detecting.
If
you’re looking for calm water, you’re on the wrong coast. A typical day at
the beach here is 1-2 ft waves. You might be able to stand up but it is easy to
loose the target, recovering it can be rough. Try the west coast, Tampa,
Clearwater, Sarasota, or even down to Ft Myers. It can be a lot calmer over
there.
Ever since the Hurricanes of
2004 they have dumped sand on every part of the Treasure Coast from
Melbourne Beach, thru Sebastian Inlet and Wabasso, all the way to Vero Beach. Not sure what’s going on down in the Ft Pierce
area but I know they have replaced the sand atleast 4 tines there since 2004.
This is curretly underway again (2017). This has made recovery of
anything very difficult. Anything old is now buried under tons of fill. Once again, we need a good storm the clear all this
sand off the beaches.
I
do hunt the public beaches in the Vero Beach area. But I only get my
ankles wet, no more. But I
would NOT use a mask, snorkel or scuba gear with a metal detector.
You will draw lots of attention. And if you are in a leased area, they WILL
come get you! While in Vero beach, beware of the RIO MAR wreck site area. And if you see a treasure boat working the area, just avoid the
trouble and move on.
Remember, you are ok HIGH tide to LOW tide on most beaches in Florida.
Do not take all of this as FACT, this is just my experience in the area.
UPDATE July 2018: Now thet Gov Scott signed HB 631 into law, some beach access is in questionable. Another land grab !
Here is a list of beaches in my area.....
Sebastian Inlet State Park
Beaches, Boat Ramp, Boat Tours, Full Camping, Concessions, Canoeing, Fishing,
Nature Trails, Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, Surfing, Swimming, and Wildlife Viewing
Amber Sands Beach Park
Located 4.4 miles north of Wabasso Bridge, on Highway A1A.
Treasure Shores Beach Park
Located 2.4 miles north of the Wabasso Bridge on Highway A1A. The park offers
the following facilities such as lifeguards, restrooms, picnic tables and
showers.
Golden Sands Beach Park
Located 1.4 miles north of Wabasso Bridge on Highway A1A. Lifeguards, restrooms,
picnic tables are available. F
Wabasso Beach Park
Located at the east of the Wabasso Bridge on Highway A1A. The park offers the
following facilities such as concessions, lifeguards, restrooms, picnic tables
and showers.
Sea Grape Beach Access
Located 1.5 miles south of the Wabasso Bridge on Highway A1A.
Turtle Trail Beach Access
Located at the north end of Indian River Shores, 2.3 miles south of Wabasso
Bridge on Highway A1A.
Tracking Station Beach
Located 1 mile north of Beachland Avenue, on Highway A1A in Indian River Shores.
There are lifeguards, restrooms, picnic tables, and showers available.
Jaycee Beach Park
Highway A1A at Mango Avenue in Vero Beach. There are facilities available such
as concessions, lifeguards, restrooms, picnic tables and showers.
Humiston Park
Ocean Drive at Easter Lily Lane, in Vero Beach. There are facilities available
such as concessions, lifeguards, restrooms, picnic tables and showers.
Rio Mar Access beach. 1/2 mile south on Humiston Park on Ocean Drive.
South Beach Park
South Ocean Drive and East Causeway Boulevard, in Vero Beach. Lifeguards,
restrooms, picnic tables and showers are available.
Round Island Park
Located at Highway A1A at the St. Lucie County Line. There are facilities
available such as restrooms, picnic tables, and showers.
Treasure Coast Shipwreck GPS locations
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