There are no private beaches in the State of Florida (other than the National Parks), and you are allowed to hunt the beaches from the Dune to the low tide line as you desire, and that includes the beaches adjacent to the 1715 fleet of Spanish shipwrecks. The rule on the beach is finders keepers, so don't let any beachside Condo owners or Hotel operators try to run you off, as they do not own the beach, the people of Florida own the beaches.
The beach at Washington Oaks is available to all who wish to MD there.
CappyZ
I am afraid that you are incorrect and are giving out bad information. Detecting on the beach in state parks in Florida is solely up to the park manager. It is better to check with each park manager before hunting the beach or could get your detector confiscated, face a fine, and charges.
Regarding Washington Oaks Gardens state park, metal detecting is no longer allowed on the beach. The same applies to Matanzas Fort National Park (beach ramp south). Each park is different and you will do yourself a service by checking with the park manager ahead of time!
V
Here are two excerpts of the law and rules in Florida.
Florida
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/parks
"Metal detectors are prohibited in the Florida State Parks, with the exception of the coastal (Atlantic and Gulf) State Parks. The reasons for this are to ensure any archaeological preservation and resource protection.
Under the Park Manager discretion, metal detecting is permitted ONLY in the coastal state parks on the sandy beach in the zone between the water line up until the toe of the dune.
Your best bet is to contact the coastal park of interest prior to arrival to determine if they have an area appropriate for metal detecting."
"The Florida Park Service has revised
its April 1, 1993 prohibition on recreational use of metal detectors
in state parks to allow limited use in beach parks between the
seaward toe of the dune and the ordinary water line.
While the revised policy does allow metal detectors in most
parks along saltwater beaches, some areas may be set aside as
designated archaeological sites where detectors are still prohibited
except for archaeological research projects authorized by the park
and the Department of State, Division of Historical Resources.
Park management staff say the decision to approve metal detector
use in a restricted zone along the beach is based on the core mission
of the State park system and a strong expression of support for metal
detector use by the public. The park system strives to protect
resources and provide outdoor recreational opportunities for the
public, which staff say requires careful balancing.
"We have reviewed the matter to determine if there is some measure
of compromise we could build into the policy," says Mark Glisson,
Chief of the Bureau of Natural and Cultural Resources.
"By allowing metal detector use in the high energy shoreline of the
beach, which is constantly being turned over by wave action, we are
providing the public a reasonable recreational opportunity and
minimizing the potential loss of historic resources,- Glisson said.
The park service's revised procedures presumes cooperation by the
public in reporting historic artifacts they find, and turning in
lost personal items so they may be recovered by the rightful
owners. The approval to use metal detectors is based largely on the
public's willingness to cooperate, say park service management.
Persons wanting more information on the park service's metal
detector procedures should contact a local state park or the
central office in Tallahassee at (904) 487-1559
RESTRICTIVE USE OF METAL DETECTORS IN PARKS
New language for the Division of Recreation and Parks, Operations Procedures
Manual is shown with underline symbols below.
CHAPTER VIII GENERAL PROCEDURES
7. LOST AND FOUND ITEMS
Each park shall have a designated secure location for storage of lost and found
items. when possible, this area will be located in, or convenient to, the ranger
station or park office. Procedures for disposition of personal property found in
public places can be found in DNR Administrative Directive 550.
Metal detectors may be used to recover personal items that are specifically
identified by their owner as being lost in a specific area of a nark. The owner
of lost property or his representative should contact the park manager who will
arrange time for the search to be conducted in the presence of a park staff
member. During these searches, only the item sought may be kept by the owner or
his representative.
CHAPTER XV RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
11. COLLECTING
Natural and cultural objects on park lands are protected and may not be removed
without written authorization. Refer to the Research/Collections Policy for
guidelines and procedures. Permits must be obtained from the Division and the
Department of State, Division of Historical Resources, for archaeological
research projects and may be required from other state or federal agencies, as
well.
Use of metal detectors, magnetometers, or other metal detecting devices is
prohibited on all state park managed lands including sovereign submerged lands
under lease by state Parks except for the following: (a) coastal parks, in a
zone between the water line and toe of the dune, as determined by the park
manager, except at archaeological sites within the zone designated by the
Department of State, Division of Historical Resources (DHR) or the park manager;
(b) archaeological research Projects authorized by DHR; and, (c) as provided for
in Chapter VIII, General Procedures, Paragraph 7., for the recovery of lost
personal items. Any hole dug associated with the use of a metal detector must be
refilled to the contour of pre-dig conditions using the excavated material. Any
excavations within designated archaeological sites require a permit from DHR and
approval from the Division. Objects found or recovered under the terms of a
permit issued by DHR, are property of the State of Florida, with title vested by
statute in DHR. Such objects are normally curated by the DHR and can be made
available by loan to the Division upon request..
Inquiries about collecting or archaeological investigations should be directed
to the appropriate district office."
nuff said . 
