Metal Detecting at Key West city beaches (Smathers Beach)
Monroe County · Keys · City/County beach
Last verified:
The rules
Key West code does not ban detectors, but all city land including submerged land is a designated archaeological area: anyone using a metal detector on city property must register any artifact found with the historic-district office within one business day (Sec. 110-29). Higgs Beach is a county park; Fort Zachary Taylor is a state park.
Permit: Not required
📞 Call ahead: 305-809-3945 (confirm the current rule before you go)
Why detect here
Smathers is the island's longest public sand beach on S. Roosevelt Blvd
Beach detecting here? You want a saltwater-capable machine and a long-handled sand scoop. The Nokta Legend 2 is the best value that handles wet salt sand. See the Nokta Legend 2 →
More spots nearby: South Florida & the Keys · See the full Florida metal detecting laws · federal rules · which detector to buy
Source: Key West Code of Ordinances Sec. 110-28/110-29 (Archaeological Resources). Verify against the managing authority before detecting.