Looking for an exciting pastime while you cruise around your local area, the Great Loop, or The World? Look no further than Geocaching!
What is Geocaching?
Geocaching is an outdoor recreational activity that combines the excitement of treasure hunting with modern technology, specifically GPS devices or smartphone applications. Participants, known as “geocachers,” search for hidden containers called “geocaches,” which are located at specific points around the world. These caches can vary in size and complexity, typically containing a logbook for finders to sign, along with small trinkets or toys for trading. The activity attracts adventurers of all ages and encourages the exploration of nature, public spaces, and urban environments.
To begin, geocachers create an account on a geocaching website or app, which provides them with coordinates and clues for various cache locations. This activity offers an exciting way to explore new places while enjoying the outdoors, connecting with local communities, and nurturing a sense of adventure. Whether you’re hiking through a forest, exploring a city, or boating along a river, the search for hidden caches adds an extra layer of excitement to your journey.
While Geocaching is an excellent family activity, especially for families with young children, adventurers of all ages are active in the sport. When geocaching, you will frequently see people of all ages discreetly peeking into holes or clandestinely feeling under park benches. When this happens, it’s common to look at them and ask, “Geo?” If you get a blank stare in return, you’ll know they are not geocachers. (If pressed, say they look like your old classmate “George” or “Georgina”)
Geocaching.com
Geocaching.com is the leading website and platform for fans of the treasure-hunting activity known as geocaching. It serves as a comprehensive resource, allowing users to search for caches, log their finds, and connect with a vibrant community of fellow adventurers. The website features an intuitive interface where members can browse geocache listings by location, difficulty, and size, as well as read descriptions and hints provided by cache owners. The Geocaching mobile app complements the website by offering on-the-go access to thousands of caches worldwide. It includes GPS navigation, offline map functionality, and the ability to log finds and track statistics directly from smartphones.
Geocaching.com provides various account types. Users can start with a basic free account, which allows them to search for and log traditional caches. Alternatively, a premium membership is available, offering additional features such as access to premium caches, advanced search filters, and the ability to create and manage geocaches. The premium membership usually costs around $30 per year.
Types Of Caches & Travel Bugs
Geocaching offers a diverse array of cache types that enrich the hunting experience, ensuring there’s something for everyone. Traditional caches are the simplest format, where the coordinates provided lead directly to a hidden container. This straightforward approach is perfect for beginners and allows for quick and easy discoveries. Multi-caches, on the other hand, involve multiple stages where geocachers must visit various waypoints to gather clues or solve puzzles before arriving at the final cache location. This type adds a layer of complexity and engagement, often leading adventurers through beautiful and intriguing landscapes.
Caches come in various sizes, from micro to large. We’ve seen micro caches drilled into the end of a small bolt and large caches in a 55-gallon drum for a book exchange. Frequently, caches are disguised as common objects like bolts, sticks, pine cones, birdhouses, fence posts, irrigation sprinklers, or electrical boxes. The geocache listing will let you know what size cache you are looking for, and if the person who placed the cache is nice, they may even provide a hit!
Another interesting category is the EarthCache, which is designed to teach about geological features. Unlike traditional caches, EarthCaches do not contain physical containers but require finders to answer questions or complete tasks related to the specific geological location. Letterboxes incorporate elements of both geocaching and orienteering, where clues lead to a hidden box containing a logbook and a unique stamp for finders to use in their letterboxing logbook.
In addition to these cache types, geocaching enthusiasts can enhance their adventures with travel bugs and geocoins —trackable items that geocachers can place in caches with the goal of moving them from cache to cache. Each travel bug or geocoin has a unique tracking code, allowing its journey to be logged online. The aim is to see how far it can travel, often with specific goals, such as reaching a particular destination or completing challenges. Travel bugs not only add another layer of excitement to the hunt but also foster a sense of community as participants share their travels and experiences wherever the bugs may roam. These elements bring depth and variety to the geocaching experience, making it both an individual pursuit and a communal adventure.
We have several trackables that have logged over 40,000 miles of travel, and our most traveled trackable has logged over 60,000 miles!
What You Need to Get Started
Getting started with geocaching is an exciting adventure that requires just a few essential items to embark on your treasure-hunting journey. The most critical tool you’ll need is a reliable GPS device or a smartphone equipped with a geocaching app, such as the popular Geocaching app or Cachly. Many Garmin handheld GPS devices have Geocaching capability built into them.
These tools make it easy to locate the coordinates of hidden caches and often provide hints or descriptions from fellow geocachers. Next, having a notebook and pen on hand is essential, as it allows you to log your finds in the cache’s logbook and keep track of your adventures. Many caches also encourage trading, so bringing along a few “swag” items—small toys, trinkets, or stickers—can enhance the experience for both you and future finders.
In addition to these key items, good walking shoes are crucial for comfort and safety as you navigate through various terrains, whether you’re hiking in the woods or exploring urban landscapes. A flashlight is also beneficial for exploring dark areas or for those spontaneous twilight searches, ensuring you’re prepared for any circumstance. Additionally, be mindful of “muggles” or non-geocachers who may be unaware of your treasure hunt. It’s important to be discreet and respectful when searching for caches, particularly in busy public areas, to avoid attracting unwanted attention and ensuring the cache remains hidden for future adventurers.
You also need a mix of stubbornness and humility. Stubbornness to stick with looking for that cache just a little while longer, and the Humility to admit defeat and log a DNF (Did Not Find). Caches DO go missing either from muggles (non-geocachers taking them), unknowing maintenance crews raking them up, or weather washing or blowing them away. It’s important to log these as if there are a string of them, it lets the owner know the cache may have gone missing. Also, if the cache is in poor condition (wet, broken container, missing lid, full log book), let the owner know in your log entry so they can take care of it.
We know of a cache that was washed away in flooding in Manchester, NH, 65 miles upriver from the coast. It was found several years later washed up on a beach in Virginia!
Lastly, having a keen sense of adventure, often humorously referred to as your “Geosense,” is an invaluable asset. This heightened awareness and thinking like a geocacher will help you stay alert to your surroundings, spot camouflaged caches, and enjoy the thrill of the hunt to its fullest. With these essentials in hand, you’ll be ready to dive into the world of geocaching and uncover hidden treasures in your local area and beyond!
Here is our list of the Top 10 Must-Have Items
- Smart Phone or GPS device and extra batteries or a charger
- SWAG (Stuff We All Get) – Small trinkets for trading in caches. These are typically small toys or stickers you give out at kid’s birthday parties.
- A pen. Preferably one that writes well on damp paper when making your log entries.
- Extra logbooks and golf pencils. Great to help a cache owner if their log is full or the pencil is missing. We also carry some 1-quart plastic zipper bags to help protect logbooks that are getting damp in a poorly sealed cache container.
- Snacks and Water. Geocaching can make you hungry and thirsty. We’ve gone out for a “short” geocaching hike and returned hours later!
- Sunscreen and Bug Spray if you will be traipsing around in the woods.
- Rain Gear. Check the weather before you leave and go out prepared. Umbrellas also make great sunshades!
- Tools of the Trade. A small flashlight, a mirror on a stick, a strong magnet, a pair of gloves (disposable rubber is fine), tweezers, and a pocket knife. All of these have come in handy from time to time.
- Wet wipes. Searching for a cache by turning over rocks or rummaging in dusty holes can be dirty work.
- First Aid Kit. While geocaching is a safe sport, bumps and scrapes can happen so make sure that you’re prepared.
- BONUS ITEM: Bring an extra pen! You’ll lose the first one at some point!
We have a small zippered over-the-shoulder pouch that we keep our supplies in so that they’re easy to grab when we go out caching. However, don’t think you must “prepare” to go geocaching. Many of our finds have been made while we have been walking around sightseeing and suddenly think, “Wow! This place is neat. I’ll bet there is a Geocache around here.” So we whip out the phone, and nine times out of ten, there is a cache nearby.
Geocaching While Cruising
Combining geocaching with boating opens up a world of adventure that many outdoor enthusiasts may not have previously considered. This unique pairing allows geocachers to explore waterways and hidden spots that are often unreachable by car, allowing for more unique finds. Imagine gliding through pristine lakes, winding rivers, or coastal shores while searching for cleverly hidden caches tucked away in scenic spots. Boating not only broadens the potential for discovering new geocaches but also creates opportunities to bond with family and friends over shared adventures as you navigate the beauty of the waterways.
To enjoy geocaching while boating, planning your trip around Geocaching is not essential. You’ll find geocaches just about everywhere! Because of the number of visitors, marinas and the surrounding towns are popular spots. Walking trails and bike paths are other geocaching hot spots. Start by researching locations you plan to visit by looking them up on Geocaching.com. Whenever we arrive at a marina, one of the first things Brenda does after whipping up a batch of Docking Cookies is to see if there are any caches in the area.
Additionally, consider the varied types of caches found in aquatic settings, from traditional containers hidden on small islands to multi-caches that require solving clues across multiple waypoints. There are even caches specifically placed for divers or attached to buoys accessible only from the water. With proper preparation and an adventurous spirit, geocaching while boating can offer a refreshing way to explore new landscapes and uncover hidden treasures in the great outdoors.
There are over 3 million Geocaches worldwide and over 1 million in the US alone. There’s bound to be one near you!
Best Practices for Geocaching While On A Boat
While there are some on-the and in-the-water Geocaches, most of your geocaching while boating will involve boating to a destination, typically a marina or dock, then exploring the area on land. Adhering to best practices is crucial for a safe and respectful geocaching experience. First and foremost, always prioritize safety by staying aware of your surroundings as you navigate both on the water and on land. Keep an eye out for other vessels, obstacles, and wildlife, and be prepared to react quickly to any unexpected situations. Wear gloves when reaching into dark, damp holes or poke with a stick first to make sure that there are no creepy crawlies in residence. Pay close attention to weather changes; conditions can shift rapidly, so be ready to adjust your plans if needed.
Respecting nature is equally important during your adventures. When searching for geocaches, stay on established paths to protect sensitive habitats and minimize your ecological impact. By avoiding trampling vegetation or disturbing wildlife, you can help preserve the natural beauty of the areas you explore, ensuring these treasures remain untouched for future generations of adventurers. Another foundation of the geocaching culture is the “Cache In-Trash Out” environmental program that asks all Geocachers to pick up trash they find along the way. By following these best practices, you can enhance your geocaching experience while enjoying the beauty of the great outdoors responsibly.
Our Geocaching History
Brenda and I started Geocaching in 2005, back when you still had to use a stand-alone hand-held GPS! We now have over 510 cache finds, have placed 9 caches of our own, and have 52 travel bugs out in the wild! We’ve found caches in 9 countries and 28 of the 50 states.
When we cruise, we like to look for caches around the marinas and towns we visit. We find it a great way to discover unique locations that we otherwise would never have found and to learn interesting history by reading the cache details.
We have introduced several of our fellow boater friends to the fun world of Geocaching and try to be ambassadors of the Sport whenever possible.
During our second Great Loop trip, we found our 500th cache at LuLu’s in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
Try It! It’s Fun!
Geocaching while boating presents a unique opportunity to merge the thrill of treasure hunting with the exploration of the waterways, allowing you to discover hidden gems that may not be accessible by land. The adventure not only enhances your boating experience but also encourages a deeper connection with nature as you uncover caches in beautiful settings. So why not set sail on your next outing with geocaching in mind? Whether it’s a nearby lake, river, or coastal area, there’s a world of caches waiting to be discovered. Start planning your adventure today, gather your gear, and prepare for an exhilarating journey that combines the excitement of geocaching with the joys of boating!
Are you a Geocacher?
What was your favorite find?
Let us know in the comments below! 
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