Deep-Water & Dive Metal Detectors (65 ft+)

These are true dive detectors, rated from 65 feet down to 200. The XP DEUS II covers snorkel and shallow scuba at 65 feet with full multi-frequency performance, and the Minelab Excalibur II, sealed to a full 200 feet, has been the wreck and deep-water standard for decades. If you search shipwrecks, deep lakes, or underwater recovery sites, this is the gear built for it. Most beach and river hunters are better served by the 16-foot tier, and their budgets will agree.

By water depth: Splash & Shallow (to 3 ft) | Fully Submersible (to 16 ft) | Deep Water (to 65 ft) | Dive (65 ft+) | All Waterproof Detectors

By top brands: XP | Fisher | Minelab | Quest | Garrett

Related: All Metal Detectors | Beach & Saltwater | Scoops & Diving Tools

Deep Waterproof Metal Detectors for Scuba & Salvage

Below the 16-foot mark, water hunting becomes a specialist's game. The detectors in this tier are rated from 65 feet to over 196 feet, pressure-sealed for true scuba depth, where ordinary "waterproof" machines would flood in minutes. Submersible multi-frequency machines like the Minelab Excalibur II, sealed to a full 200 feet, sit alongside pulse-induction units that hold depth and stability in salt water and black sand, all with housings, connectors, and headphone seals engineered for the pressure at depth. This is the gear for shipwreck salvage, deep-lake recovery, and underwater archaeology, not weekend beach hunting, but the real reach when the targets are deep and the water is unforgiving.

Reading a Deep-Water Depth Rating

At these depths the rating is everything: water pressure roughly doubles every 33 feet, so a machine rated to 65 feet and one rated to 200 feet are built to genuinely different pressure tolerances, not marketing tiers. Buy to the deepest water you'll actually dive, then leave a margin, exceeding a pressure rating doesn't just risk a leak, it can implode a seal. Confirm that every component you submerge, including the headphones and any connectors, carries the same rating as the control box. When the gap between two ratings is small in price, size up.

Complete the Deep-Dive Kit

Deep recovery demands the right support gear: a diving scoop or recovery tool rated for the bottom you're working, a depth-rated waterproof pinpointer for low-visibility targets, and submersible search coils matched to your machine. At depth, redundancy and rating matter more than features. Running an Excalibur? Follow our Excalibur maintenance guide to keep the seals honest.

Why Buy a Deep-Water Detector from Serious Detecting

At scuba depth, a depth rating has to be real, a failed seal at 100 feet is an expensive, unrecoverable loss. Serious Detecting is an authorized US dealer, so the pressure ratings here come with genuine manufacturer warranties behind them. Orders over $99 ship free out of Michigan, local pickup is open, and the staff hunts water. Tell us how deep you're diving and we'll make sure the machine, and every component on it, is rated for where you're taking it.

Customer Questions & Expert Answers

Get real answers from outdoor explorers and our product experts. Browse questions about performance, features, and setup —or ask your own to make sure this gear fits your next adventure.

What is the best underwater metal detector for dive detecting?

The XP DEUS II at 65 feet is the best-performing multi-frequency underwater metal detector for snorkeling and shallow scuba work - Fast Multi-Frequency performance, fully wireless audio rated to depth through the WS6 headphones, and effective target ID underwater. The Garrett Sea Hunter MkII at 200+ feet is the option for deeper scuba work using pulse induction technology built specifically for saltwater conditions. For most recreational dive detectorists, the DEUS II covers the range. See XP DEUS II.

Answered by Richard T. · April 2026

Can I use the XP DEUS II for scuba dive detecting?

Yes - the XP DEUS II is fully waterproof to 65 feet on every component: the remote, the coil, and the WS6 Master headphones. This covers recreational snorkeling depth and the majority of recreational scuba diving depth ranges. At 65 feet it is rated for serious dive work rather than just surf wading. For deep dive work beyond 65 feet, the Garrett Sea Hunter MkII at 200+ feet is the machine. The DEUS II is the right choice for dive detectorists who also want a fully capable land and beach detector in the same machine. See DEUS II details.

Answered by Dan P. · April 2026

Do I need a dive-rated metal detector for beach detecting?

No - for beach detecting including surf zone wading, 10-foot waterproofing is sufficient. Wave action in surf rarely submits a machine beyond 6-8 feet. Dive-rated machines (65+ feet) are for actual snorkeling and scuba detecting where the machine and hunter go fully underwater beyond wading depth. If you only wade in the surf zone and hunt the beach, a standard 10-foot waterproof machine like the Minelab Equinox 800, Nokta Legend, or Garrett AT Pro covers everything you need. See 10-16 foot machines.

Answered by John W. · April 2026

What accessories do I need for underwater metal detecting?

For dive detecting, every accessory needs to match the machine's waterproof rating. Use a dive-rated pinpointer - the Quest XPointer Scuba is one of the few purpose-built scuba pinpointers. A mesh recovery bag rated for underwater use keeps finds secure while diving. Dive detecting gloves protect hands during recovery in rocky or coralline environments. Standard sand scoops are functional underwater for loose sand recovery. The complete underwater kit: a dive-rated detector, dive-rated pinpointer, recovery bag, and appropriate dive equipment for the depth you are working.

Answered by Richard T. · April 2026