How to Go Beach Combing

A pair of beach combers.

Beachcombing is the art or hobby of searching beaches for small treasures. These might include the perfect piece of driftwood, a beautiful shell, jewelry or coins. Beachcombers commonly carry metal detectors to help them unearth the treasures.

Things You'll Need

• Metal detector
• Mesh bag
• Good beach shoes
• Flashlight

Instructions

1. Read the owner's manual to learn to use your metal detector. You should be ready to use it when you get to the beach; also be sure that it is waterproof, at least at the head.

2. Show up at the beach in the early morning, preferably when the tide is at the lowest point. If you are there before dawn, you should also bring a flashlight to help you see the details on the beach.

3. When you find things, rinse them carefully in the sea and store them in your mesh bag if they are not at risk of breaking against other items in the bag.

4. Walk the edge of the beach (where the water meets the sand) and also the high tide line--where the seaweed and other debris collects--to find a range of items.

5. Use a collector's book or an appraiser to identify rare finds.