FAQ
Common questions
Short answers about forecasts, membership, legal access, billing, and support.
Does TargetAtlas guarantee finds?
No. TargetAtlas helps you make better decisions with coastal data, but finds still depend on beach history, recent crowds, detector skill, access, sand movement, and luck.
What does the beach score measure?
The score combines signals such as tide timing, wind, wave energy, elevated water, local zone data, erosion or accretion context, and nourishment history where available.
Why does a beach score change?
Scores update from scheduled source snapshots. A beach can improve when tide windows, wind direction, wave energy, or erosion signals line up, and weaken when conditions flatten out or fresh sand buries older layers.
Are scores live or guaranteed accurate?
No. Scores are generated from cached source snapshots and include freshness/confidence signals where available. Use them as detecting guidance, then verify local surf, access, posted rules, and safety conditions before committing.
Is metal detecting legal on every beach listed?
No. Rules vary by town, state, park, season, and posted area. TargetAtlas is not legal advice. Always check local rules before detecting.
What beaches are supported?
Coverage is focused on East Coast beach regions and expands as reliable zones, NOAA stations, parking/access data, and coastal signals are added.
What does Pro include?
Pro is intended for full Hunt Brief reasoning, zone maps, reviewed local intel, parking details, storm-window planning context, multi-day planning, future supported regions, and priority support.
Can I cancel anytime?
Yes. Paid subscriptions are managed through Stripe. Signed-in Pro users can use My TargetAtlas to reach billing management when Stripe portal access is available.
Who do I contact for billing or account help?
Use the Contact page. Billing questions, duplicate charges, refund review, account access, and product issues all route to TargetAtlas support.
Still need help?
Send a note with the beach, account email, billing question, or bug details and we will take a look.