Swinging a metal detector over a sandy beach is how most people visualize metal detecting. While this is a big part of metal detecting, there are however, many other places where people can and do metal detect.
Other places to detect on land include in parks, around old house sites, at recreational fields, school yards, and many other places only limited by the imagination. Most start out in the hobby of metal detecting on land, and that is where the majority continue to detect.
One kind of metal detecting that many people are not aware of is detecting in the water. I always have people look at me incredulously when I tell them that I detect primarily in the water. Most don't realize that it can be done.
Here are a few "bullet" points comparing metal detecting on land with detecting in the water.
Generally, the cost of water metal detectors is higher due to their water proof construction. There are a greater variety of land metal detectors available, usually with more features than water metal detectors have.
When working in the water, you need a long handled scoop which has to be fairly rugged and is somewhat costly. It is also a bit more difficult to pin point your target in the water. Recovery of items on land is generally easier.
Detecting in the water can be cold and uncomfortable, which can limit when and how long you can detect. Detecting on land is not so limiting.
More older coins and relics are found on land than you will find in the water. On the other hand, many sites on land have already been detected and finding older items could be limited.
Though there may only be a few water detecting sites in your area, check out what beaches that are nearby as they tend to attract a lot of people on hot days. Gold and silver jewelry are replenished more quickly in the water.
You may not find as many older items in the water as you do on land, but in the water is where you'll tend to find the most valuable items such as gold, silver, and platinum jewelry.
Detecting in the water can be fatiguing, especially on your arms and shoulders because of water resistance in both swinging the coil and digging the target. Detecting on land less so.
Wind can kick up the waves and make the water a little murky, making detecting in water a bit difficult.
There are potential hazards in the water such as broken glass, rusted jagged metal, and dangerous critters that make it more difficult to detect in the water.
There are other differences between land metal detecting and water metal detecting, but in general, it is somewhat easier over all to detect on dry land than in the water. Most detectorists who detect in the water also detect on land, but only a small percentage of those who detect on land detect in the water. There is some cross over as many with land detectors will use them in shallow water since the coil is usually water proof. If you choose to try this, be careful not to drop your detector into the water or let water splash on to the detector housing. Repairs could cost you a lot of money and end your detecting season early.
To sum up, metal detecting on land is where you generally start to learn the hobby and it can be rewarding with finding relics and older coins. This is great for the hobbyist and collector. Metal detecting in the water is more difficult, but can be more financially rewarding considering recent high prices for silver, gold, and platinum.
Finally, if you'd like to learn more about metal detectors and metal detecting, you'll find lots of great information at Metal Detecting Resource.com.
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