Underwater & Waterproof Metal Detectors

The Minelab Equinox 800 at 5 meters (16 feet) handles the widest range of waterproof detecting situations - beach surf, river hunting, and rain - while also delivering the simultaneous multi-frequency performance needed for salt beach work. The Garrett AT Pro at 10 feet is a proven and lower-cost alternative for all-terrain waterproof use. The Nokta Legend at 10 feet is the competitive alternative to the Equinox 800 at lower cost. See all waterproof metal detectors.

The XP DEUS II at 65 feet is the best performance multi-frequency underwater metal detector for shallow dive and snorkeling use. Full Fast Multi-Frequency capability, fully wireless audio with the WS6 headphones, and 65-foot waterproofing on every component. For deeper scuba work beyond 65 feet, the Garrett Sea Hunter MkII uses pulse induction for saltwater performance at 200+ feet. For most beach and river hunters who only wade, a 10-foot rated machine is sufficient. See dive-rated detectors.

A waterproof metal detector handles the physical water - it will not be damaged by saltwater submersion within its depth rating. Performance in saltwater, however, also depends on the detection technology: single-frequency VLF machines generate constant false signals in wet salt sand and surf zones due to salt conductivity. For beach and saltwater use, you need both full waterproofing and simultaneous multi-frequency technology. A fully waterproof single-frequency machine will survive saltwater but will not detect effectively in it. See beach metal detectors for machines that handle both.

A 10-foot waterproof rating means the full machine — control box and coil — can be submerged to 10 feet continuously without water damage. This covers surf wading (where the detector is briefly fully submerged in breaking waves), river hunting at normal wading depths, and detecting in heavy rain. It does not cover deeper snorkeling or scuba use. Some machines are rated at the coil only with a non-waterproof control box — these should not be submerged at all. Every machine in this collection has full machine waterproofing, not just waterproof coils.

The Minelab Equinox 800 at 5 meters is the most recommended - waterproof for surf wading, Multi-IQ simultaneous multi-frequency for salt beach performance, and effective across every terrain type from parks to rivers. The Nokta Legend at 10 feet is the lower-cost multi-frequency alternative. The Garrett AT Pro at 10 feet is the proven all-terrain choice for hunters who primarily river and rain hunt without the most demanding salt surf conditions. See all 10-16 foot waterproof detectors.

For the vast majority of beach detecting including surf zone wading - yes. Wave action in surf zones rarely submits a machine beyond 6-8 feet even in breaking waves. River hunting at typical wading depths is well within 10 feet. A 10-foot waterproof rating covers every practical beach and river hunting scenario short of actual snorkeling or scuba work. If you plan to dive detect, you need a machine rated to 65 feet or more. See dive-rated detectors.

Yes - the Garrett AT Pro is fully waterproof to 10 feet and handles surf zone wading effectively. The single-frequency VLF technology shows more salt-response noise in wet salt sand than simultaneous multi-frequency machines like the Minelab Equinox 800, but many experienced beach hunters use the AT Pro productively in the surf zone. For the most demanding salt beach conditions and competition beach hunting, a multi-frequency machine is a step up. For general beach wading and river hunting, the AT Pro is a proven and capable choice. See Garrett AT series.

No - this is an important distinction. Many machines have waterproof coils with non-submersible control boxes. The Garrett ACE series is an example: waterproof coils that handle rain and splashing, but the control box cannot be submerged. Full submersion waterproofing - where both the coil and control box are rated for underwater use - is a specific feature that machines in this collection all have. Always verify the full machine waterproof rating rather than assuming a waterproof coil means a fully waterproof machine. See all waterproof detectors.