The Caribbean core: storms, galleons, real finds
Florida’s Treasure Coast — between Sebastian and Fort Pierce, a 1715 hurricane wrecked 11 Spanish galleons laden with silver and gold. After strong storms, beaches sometimes “give back” coins and cargo fragments. Legal way: beachcombing above the high‑tide line without digging or devices; state waters and seabeds are off‑limits without permits, and some tracts are under private salvage rights. Peak storm “find” season: August–October. Jamaica, Port Royal — half the city slipped underwater after the 1692 earthquake. Artifacts in the sea are protected; the right way to experience it is via Fort Charles and museum collections. Plan for the dry season (December–April). Bahamas, Nassau — capital of the early‑18th‑century Pirate Republic. Treasures here are in the stories: interactive museums and forts provide context; island‑hopping delivers adventure. Skip detectors at historic sites to avoid fines.

Indian Ocean: pirate graves and Levasseur’s legend
Madagascar, Île Sainte‑Marie (Nosy Boraha) — atmospheric pirate base with a small cemetery of skull‑and‑crossbones headstones. No digging: it’s a memorial and protected archaeology. Instead, take bay cruises and guided history walks. Best seas May–October, plus humpback whales July–September. Seychelles and Réunion — linked to the Olivier Levasseur cryptogram myth. Searches are banned in parks and heritage zones; go for viewpoints, museums, and sea tours instead.

Mediterranean and the Barbary Coast: towers, forts, context
Algiers, Tunis, and Tripoli fielded corsair fleets for centuries. You won’t hunt coins but meaning: fortifications, casemates, Ottoman palaces, and signal towers. Malta counters piracy with watchtowers and Valletta’s forts; coastal hikes and official underwater trails offer immersion without extraction.

Atlantic and North America: wrecks and myths
Massachusetts, Cape Cod — the Whydah Gally (1717) is the only authenticated pirate shipwreck recovered; in West Yarmouth you’ll see cannon, coins, and crew artifacts. It’s a literal glimpse of “treasure,” safely and legally. Nova Scotia, Oak Island — the Money Pit legend since 1795. No confirmed treasure, but tours and exhibits showcase pumps, shafts, and the geology behind the tale. Golden rule: no DIY digging. Spanish silver fleets (1620s–1730s) left “silver beaches” across the Caribbean and Atlantic, but most lie within protected waters. Your path: museums, reenactments, and certified dive centers.

Asia and the Pacific: caves and straits
Hong Kong, Cheung Chau — Cheung Po Tsai Cave links to the famed early‑19th‑century “pirate admiral.” Expect sea views and a heritage walk, not treasure hunting. Strait of Malacca, Malaysia — the Maritime Museum and the Flor de la Mar replica explain why narrow waters swallowed ships and birthed treasure lore. Enjoy exhibits and colonial streetscapes. Cocos Island (Costa Rica) — draped in the Treasure of Lima legend; hunting is illegal in the national park, but shark‑filled dives deliver thrill and wonder.

Where you may actually find “something”: legally, gently
Post‑storm beachcombing on Florida’s Treasure Coast offers a real chance at a coin or fragment. Key rules: no digging, no devices near the water, avoid protected zones. UK beaches often allow detectors with landowner consent; under the Treasure Act 1996, valuable finds must be reported and assessed. Portside flea markets and antique shops can hide “paper treasures”: old charts, navigational tools, tokens, and coppers. Provenance and expert appraisal matter.

Law and ethics: don’t trade freedom for a myth
Underwater cultural heritage is protected in many jurisdictions; removing items without permits is illegal. Salvage rights may apply, and state waters can be entirely closed to amateur archaeology. A simple rule of thumb: if it’s historic, museum‑listed, or protected, don’t take or dig. “Take nothing but photos” keeps these routes open.

Practicalities: seasons, budget, gear
Seasons: Caribbean/Bahamas December–April (dry); storm‑curious August–October; Madagascar May–October; Mediterranean April–June and September–October; avoid monsoons in HK/Malaysia. Budget: museums 10–25 USD, licensed guide 30–80 USD/day, boat tours 40–150 USD, dive days 90–180 USD. Pack: dry bag, gloves, GPS track, and the pirate essentials — patience and respect.

7–10 day itineraries
Caribbean: Kingston (Port Royal, forts) — Nassau (museum, forts, island hop) — Florida (Treasure Coast beachcombing). Indian Ocean: Antananarivo — Sainte‑Marie (cemetery, bays, whales) — Réunion/Seychelles (Levasseur trails, sea tours). Atlantic: Boston — Cape Cod (Whydah museum) — Nova Scotia (Oak Island tours) — back via Halifax.
In the end, “hunting like a pirate” means reading landscapes, listening to guides, and honoring protected places. A coin in your palm is luck; the true treasure is the journey, the stories, and the sea’s old whisper.