Metal Detecting at Cooper River (SCIAA Hobby Diver License)
Berkeley / Charleston County · Midlands · River
Last verified:
The rules
Submerged artifacts and fossils on state bottomlands are declared property of the State (S.C. Code 54-7-630), so search and recovery requires a SCIAA Hobby License under the Underwater Antiquities Act (54-7-670). Licensees may hand-collect a reasonable number of naturally exposed items — no digging, dredging or mechanical tools — and must file quarterly reports to SCIAA. This governs the tidal Cooper River, South Carolina's premier hobby-dive fossil and Colonial-relic waters.
Permit: Required (SCIAA Hobby License)
📞 Call ahead: 803-576-6563 (confirm the current rule before you go)
Why detect here
The flagship SC hobby-dive scene — fossil shark teeth and Colonial/Revolutionary relics in the tidal river; SCIAA license mandatory
Digging restricted here? A waterproof pinpointer finds a target's exact spot so you can check surface finds without cutting turf. The Garrett Pro-Pointer AT is the standard. See the Garrett Pro-Pointer AT → Detectors & gear by budget →
More spots nearby: Midlands, Lakes & Rivers · See the full South Carolina metal detecting laws · federal rules · which detector to buy
Source: S.C. Code Title 54, Ch. 7 (Underwater Antiquities Act) + SCIAA Maritime Research Hobby License. Verify against the managing authority before detecting.