Ever dug up Florida’s sandy secrets? Discover the top clubs guiding treasure seekers like you!
Florida is one of the best places for metal detecting with beaches, state parks, and everything.
The weather is ideal for being outside and the whole area has records of having valuable metal-based artifacts.
I love being in Florida as a lot of my friends who are also into metal detecting live there.
There are a lot of clubs that anyone can sign up to connect with fellow detectors and to learn and know more about the best locations for detecting in Florida.
I’ve interviewed several metal detectorists in Florida and was able to gather lots of info about clubs.
So here are the Best metal detecting clubs in Florida,
- South Florida Treasure Hunter’s Club
- Historical Recovery Association Of North Florida
- Ocala Metal Detecting Club
- Suncoast Research & Recovery Club
- Central Florida Metal Detecting Club
- Gold Coast Treasure Club
- Dig & Find Coinshooters & Historical Club
- Treasure Coast Archeological Society
- Panhandle Research & Recovery Metal Detecting Club
Let me elaborate more on these clubs to give you a better understanding of what they are and what they do.
So it will be easy for you to choose a club to join.
Furthermore, I’ll answer some frequently asked questions as well.
Let’s dig in!
Best Metal Detecting Clubs In Florida
As metal detecting is becoming popular, new metal detecting clubs are also emerging.
This is a good thing because the members are active and supportive.
When a bunch of people get together, they share everything they know. This will add more value to the hobby.
I’m discussing some of the most popular clubs for metal detecting in Florida.
I’m a proud member of a few clubs and I thought of sharing with you so that you could become one too!
1. South Florida Treasure Hunter’s Club
The South Florida Treasure Hunter’s Club was first founded as a family-oriented club. Then it expanded as a group of metal-detecting enthusiasts based in the southern part of Florida.
It was founded in 1972 and has been active for almost 5 decades. It is one of the oldest metal-detecting clubs.
The club is open to anyone who is interested in metal detecting around Florida. Even the beginners can join.
The membership fees are $20 per person and $30 per family annually. All the members can take part in club activities such as meetings, hunting, competitions and workshops.
The club is also committed to teaching new members on current laws and regulations in metal detecting and the etiquettes.
The club is actively working on making metal detecting a family-oriented activity which is fun and interesting.
The club meets every month on the first Monday at 7 pm. If the first Monday becomes a holiday, it will be held on the second Monday of the month.
- The location of the club is:DAVID PARK, COMMUNITY CENTER, 108 NORTH 33 COURT, HOLLYWOOD, FL 33020
- And for further information, you can contact the president: Steve Hamedl (561-737-0805) ahamedl@bellsouth.net
Check out the Best Places to Metal Detect in Florida!
2. Historical Recovery Association Of North Florida
This club was founded in the 1980s based in Jacksonville, Florida.
The main objective of the club is to recover and preserve historically valuable artifacts of North Florida.
They have a wide range of metal detecting preferences such as relic hunt, coint shoot, jewelry hunt etc.
Their motto is ‘we search for those stories, one beep at a time’. Members of this club include historians, archeologists, artifact collectors and other experts.
Apart from the preservation of artifacts, this association is also engaged in educating people. They have presentations, workshops and even funful events for the public.
In order to support the association, they run raffle cash prizes, ‘monthly finds’ competition on every month.
The meetings will be held on the second Tuesday of every month from 6pm to 8pm.
- Location: Piccadilly Restaurant, 3216 University Blvd S, Jacksonville, Florida 32216
- For more information: Call them on: (904) 945-3190
- Website: https://hranf.net/
3. Ocala Metal Detecting Club
Ocala metal detecting club is a group of metal detectors based in Ocala, Florida.
The club was formed in 1984 and currently is one of the largest metal detecting clubs in the USA.
The club is committed to promoting correct metal detecting practices and preservation of metal artifacts.
This club also hosts annual treasure hunts, and other competitions that help to attract more people.
The events are concentrated on the weekends as everyone could take part in them. There are also opportunities to win prices and getting to know each other from the area.
For the members, the annual fees will be $25. And they will receive free access to all the events as well as discounts on supplies and equipment.
The meetings are usually held on the first Monday of each month.
- Location: Marion County Sheriff Sub-station, 9048 SW State Road 200, Ocala, FL 34481
- Contact: +1 352-812-3645
4. Suncoast Research & Recovery Club
This is a metal detecting club based in the Tampa Bay area, Florida. The club was formed in 1972.
The detections are based on coin shooting, relic hunting, beach and water hunting and even fossil hunting.
There are also several events throughout the year. Silver hunt, spring picnic and fun hunt, fall picnic and fun hunt are some of them.
They are mainly focused on recovering items that are lost and returning them back to their owners. They also hold workshops related to metal detecting and ethics for beginners.
The annual membership due is $35 per person. And it has to be paid by 1st of January every year.
The regular meetings of SRARC will be held on the fourth Monday of each month except in December. The sign in begins at 6.30 pm and the meeting will start at 7.00 pm.
- Location: Quaker Steak & Lube, 10400, 49th St N, Pinellas Park, FL 33782
- Contact: club.information@srarc.com
- Website: http://www.srarc.com/
5. Central Florida Metal Detecting Club
This is Florida’s oldest metal detecting club and also one of the largest. It was founded in 1972 with the efforts of Stuart Auerbach (Director), Ray Leist and Claude Rainey.
The main goals of this club is to preserve the history of Florida and return lost items as a community service. They also help the authorities to find evidence on missing persons.
They have a lot of hunting sessions as well as different get-togethers of the members throughout the year. It is a very active club.
The membership fee is $25 and this should be renewed annually.
The meetings of the club will be every 2nd Friday of each month. The meeting will start at 7.30 pm.
- Location: The Community United Methodist Church, 41 W Highbanks Rd, DeBary, FL 32713
- Contact: https://www.facebook.com/groups/163160060445073
- Website: https://thecfmdc.com/
6. Gold Coast Treasure Club
GCTC is a non-profit group that is devoted to hunting for coins, jewelry, relics and artifacts.
Gold Coast Treasure Club is located at West Palm Beach, Florida. The club was founded in 1973.
Their mission is to promote the enjoyment and excitement of metal detecting while contributing to preserving historical artifacts.
The club has monthly beach hunts as well as visits to the historical sites around the area.
Read to know the Best Beaches in Florida to Metal Detect!
Members of the club also actively reach out to the community and education through different events such as beach cleanups and donations.
The annual membership is $25. The members will get exclusive access to the club’s library, renting equipment or discounts when buying new equipment.
The meetings will be held every month on the second Thursday from 7 pm to 9 pm.
- Location: Cox Science Center, Annex Building, Dreher Park, 4800 Dreher Trail North, Florida
- Contact: Kevin (president)- 561-371-6911
- Website:http://goldcoasttreasureclub.com/index.htm
7. Dig & Find Coinshooters & Historical Club
This is a metal detecting club based in Daytona Beach, Florida. It was founded in 1971.
The club holds fun hunting events, group huntings, educational workshops, and even gatherings throughout the year.
The club also has annual open hunting, raffles, prizes, etc.
The club also supports the community by helping people to find lost metal items and return them. They even have sales where you can buy metal finds and if you can claim it’s yours, you can get it returned free of charge.
The annual membership fee is $25.
And there are extra payments that need to be done to participate in certain events and activities.
The meetings will be held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month.
- Location: 305 Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, Daytona Beach, FL 32114
- Contact: 386-383-6285
- Website:https://www.facebook.com/groups/digandfind/
8. Treasure Coast Archeological Society
TCAS is a nonprofit organization established in 1961. This club is centered in Sebastian, Florida.
This club is focused on the study and preservation of Florida’s prehistoric and historic heritage.
They hold monthly meetings to discuss the latest findings of the members and planning on field trips.
TCAS also hosts annual symposiums, lectures and archeological detections around the area.
The membership fee is $20 for an individual and $30 for a family annually. The cash will be accepted only at the club meetings.
The meetings will be held on every first Wednesday of each month from 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm.
- Location: American Legion Hall, 807 Louisiana Ave, Sebastian, FL 32958
- Contact: tcasfl@gmail.com
- Website: http://www.tcas.us/
9. Panhandle Research & Recovery Metal Detecting Club
This club is based in Panhandle, Florida. The club was established in 1996.
This brings together metal detecting enthusiasts who share a passion of exploring and discovering metal based artifacts.
The main goal of this club is to establish good metal detecting practices and ethical behaviors.
They conduct research on archeological sites, organize hunts, and provide new members space and opportunities to practice and improve their skills.
The membership fee is not mentioned. But you can contact them anytime with the details below.
The monthly meeting will be held every second Saturday at 7.00 pm.
- Location: Gulf Beach Baptist Church, 10620 Hutchison Boulevard, Panama City, FL 32407
- Contact: panhandleresearchandrecovery@gmail.com
- Website: https://panhandleresearchrecoverymetaldetecting.weebly.com/index.html
Joining a metal-detecting club is an excellent idea.
You will be able to gain more experience, learn new techniques, make friends and explore more sites.
Tips for Selecting Metal Detecting Club in Florida
If you are looking for a metal detecting club in Florida, use these tips to find one just like I did.
It became easy to find a metal detecting club from around the area with the help of my fellow detectors and their amazing tips.
Here are the steps I followed. I hope this will help you as well.
Search for a Potential Club
Do online research by searching in browsers and through social media platforms.
Find out about metal detectors around the area where you live in Florida.
Read about reviews and recent activities of the club. This will give you an idea of what kind of benefits it has to offer you.
Check on Clubs’ Focuses
Some detecting clubs focus on different areas and niches.
Decide on what type of metal detection interests you have and find a club that aligns well with them.
Consider the Skill Level
Different clubs cater to people with different experience levels. Some are for experienced detectors while others are for beginners.
Look for a club that matches your skill level.
Attend a Meeting
Go for a meeting or an event hosted by the club for outsiders or newbies.
This will let you meet the members and give you a chance to experience the culture of the club.
So you can decide whether it fits you or not.
Review the Rules
Make sure the club has clear guidelines on metal detecting activities, obtaining permission, etiquette, and safety precautions.
Membership
Membership fees differ from one club to another.
Choose one that will fit your budget and offer the most valuable experience for the membership.
These are the basic tips that I have followed when looking for a club to join around Florida.
By following these, you will also be able to select a specific metal detecting club in Florida that matches your interests and allows you to explore and discover more.
If you prefer seeking societies online, rather than physical clubs, read Best Metal Detecting Forums in Florida
Read to know, Best Metal Detecting Finds in Florida
Congrats folks! Now you know everything you need to know about the best metal detecting clubs in Florida with their contact information.
So, let’s answer some frequently asked questions.
FAQs
Why is Florida a popular location for metal detecting enthusiasts?
Florida offers a combination of great weather, beaches, state parks, and historical sites making it a hub for discovering valuable metal-based artifacts and treasured items.
How do I choose the best metal detecting club for me in Florida?
Determine your metal detection interests, skill level, and budget, then attend a potential club’s meeting or event to experience its culture before making a decision.
Are there metal detecting clubs in Florida suitable for beginners?
Yes, clubs like the South Florida Treasure Hunter’s Club are open to enthusiasts of all skill levels, including beginners, offering them guidance on current metal detecting laws, etiquettes, and techniques.
What benefits can one expect from joining a metal detecting club in Florida?
Members can participate in club activities, including meetings, hunts, competitions, workshops, and gain access to club-specific resources, tips, and possibly equipment discounts or rentals.
How long have some of these clubs been active in Florida?
Some clubs, like the South Florida Treasure Hunter’s Club and Suncoast Research & Recovery Club, have been active for almost five decades since they were founded in the early 1970s.
How do I contact a specific metal detecting club in Florida?
Each club generally has a point of contact, usually a president or a designated representative, and they often have email addresses, phone numbers, and sometimes official websites provided for communication.
What kind of fees can I expect when joining a metal detecting club in Florida?
Membership fees vary by club but typically range from $20 to $35 annually, with some offering family memberships at slightly higher rates.
Do any clubs in Florida offer services like helping find lost metal items for the community?
Yes, clubs like Dig & Find Coinshooters & Historical Club and Suncoast Research & Recovery Club emphasize helping the community by locating and returning lost metal items.
Did I cover all you wanted to know about: Best Metal Detecting Clubs in Florida
In this article, I’ve deeply explored the best metal detecting clubs in Florida. I’ve described the functions of each club, their membership fees, and what benefits you can get by joining them.
Best metal detecting clubs in Florida include the South Florida Treasure Hunter’s Club, Suncoast Research & Recovery Club, the Historical Recovery Association of North Florida, and the Treasure Coast Archeological Society. These clubs offer members events, guidance, and community service, and emphasize artifact preservation and discovery.
Furthermore, I’ve answered some frequently asked questions as well.
Hope you’ve gained good knowledge about the best metal-detecting clubs in Florida with this in-depth guide!
Now it’s for you to select the one that suits you the most and take your metal detecting skills to the next level. All the best!
