The collecting of seashells rightfully earns a verb in American English: shelling is serious business on the US East Coast. It houses some of the top shelling beaches in the world. From Florida to Virginia, these are six of the best beaches to hunt for a variety of amazing seashells.

---

Tips for the best shelling

Winter shelling & storms

During winter, more seashells wash up on the beach because of stronger ocean currents. Especially after a winter storm, the beach can be covered in beautiful shells. These storms frequently wash up one specific type of shell in abundance, often with the dead snail still inside.

Less is more

Upon arriving at a beach for shelling, we’ve learned to push through initial disappointment and keep walking. The first mile or so is searched through by many people, from casual dog walkers to avid shell hunters. But keep on walking and you’ll find stretches of beach free of any footsteps. This is even more true in winter, when few brave Mid-Atlantic temperatures for a stroll on the beach.

Time around the tide

Shelling is best around low tide, after the receding tide is finished washing up fresh treasures. The prime scenario is when low tide falls in early morning, before beachgoers set up.

Know your shells

Searching through miles of shells is more effective when you know what you are looking for. Aside from the region, there is a variety of natural factors that determine what shells typically wash up on a beach. Knowing in advance what are considered special finds makes it easier to recognize them buried in the sand.

#1- Shackleford Banks, North Carolina

Shackleford Banks is a small island off the North Carolina coast, part of Cape Lookout National Seashore. Wild horses roam the pristine beaches, which are scattered with stunning seashells. As you can only arrive by boat, visitors are limited and shells there for the taking.

Shelling directions

There are two different ferries that disembark at opposite ends of Shackleford Banks. The ferry from Beaufort sails to the west end of the island, while the ferry from Harkers Island takes you to the east end. We took both ferries on different days, making our way to the center of the island from each side. In return for 30,000 steps a day, we reached parts of the beach that were untouched for days or even weeks. Not surprisingly, there are unique finds up for grabs on these remote stretches.

Types of shells

The number one find is an intact Queen Helmet, but the giant knobbed whelks in striking colors are a great consolation prize. We also found channeled whelks, lightning whelks, olives and shark eyes, all in abundance. Our bags were getting so heavy we actually had to make a though selection on the beach.

#2- Ocracoke Island, North Carolina

Ocracoke Island is the most remote island of the Outer Banks. Just like Shackleford Banks, it’s only reachable by boat: ferries depart from different points on the mainland, as well as Hatteras on the Outer Banks. The latter is a vehicle ferry completely free of charge. Aside from great shelling, the Outer Banks offer a year-round paradise for camping and beach lovers. My guide to Outer Banks rounds up the best activities and camping spots.

Shelling directions

The best shelling is on the Atlantic side of the island. The beaches close to the Hatteras Ferry Terminal on the east end receive little visitors, promising weeks of accumulated shells in winter. The stretch accessed from the Ocracoke Campground has good shelling too, but shells are shared with more beachgoers.

Types of shells

We went shelling on Ocracoke Island twice, in spring and winter. On our winter escape, we found over 30 intact scotch bonnets, North Carolina’s prized state shell. In addition, we collected olives, knobbed, pear and channeled whelks, sundial shells, scallop shells in a range of beautiful colors, shark eyes, moon snails, and even a king’s crown.

#3- Ten Thousand Islands, Florida

The ten thousand islands are an archipelago in southwest Florida. With the exception of Marco Island (see #5), these tiny islands can only be accessed by boat. Renting a kayak allows you to roam the islands at your own pace. The closest gateway to the islands is Caxambas Park & Marina. It’s currently closed to commercial activity, so you’ll need to rent a kayak outside the marina and bring it in on your own vehicle. We rented a kayak at Naples Outfitters: they load it up and supply soft racks for your car if needed.

Shelling directions

From Caxambas Marina, we paddled out to Kice Island. Not only is it one of the best spots for shelling, it is also the easiest to reach. From the marina to the northern tip of Kice Island is a two-mile paddle, but the ocean currents can make it feel a lot longer. We left our kayaks at the north end and started walking south along the Gulf of Mexico-side up to Blind Pass. The entire coastline was scattered with shells, without another soul in sight.

Types of shells

Florida’s prized shell is the Junonia, but we didn’t come across one. We did find an abundance of banded tulips, lightning whelks, pear whelks, murex shells, some alphabet cones, a nutmeg and small horse conch, Florida’s state shell.

#4- Sanibel Island, Florida

Sanibel Island doesn’t need an introduction, often ranked the number one spot for shelling in the USA (and possibly the world). The island even got the Sanibel Stoop named after it, the bend-over position that gives away shell collectors on the beach. The island is connected to the mainland by the Sanibel Causeway toll bridge.

Shelling directions

All the beaches on Sanibel are good for shelling, thanks to its unique moon-shaped perpendicular position. It acts like a dustpan for shells to be pulled in by the currents, covering the beaches in a thick layer of shells. Our favorite beaches were Bowman’s Beach, Tarpon Bay Beach and Blind Pass Beach.

Types of shells

There are said to be over 250 types of shells on Sanibel, but be prepared to share: the beaches are searched by thousands of avid collectors daily and no stretch is left untouched. We prefer the unspoiled island-feeling of the other locations that are harder to reach.

#5- Marco Island, Florida

Marco Island is the largest and only developed island of the Ten Thousand Islands, connected to the mainland by two bridges. The beaches are wide and beautiful.

Shelling directions

Like Sanibel Island, Marco Island is easily accessible and therefore very popular. We parked at the Tigertail Beach Park and walked north on the outer sandbar, to the northern tip of the island. Further north, there are less beachgoers and more treasures waiting to be found.

Types of shells

Shells are less abundant compared to Sanibel or Kice Island, but there are still many great finds: sand dollars, Florida cones, alphabet cones, lightning whelks, horse conches and many more.

#6- False Cape State Park, Virginia

False Cape State Park covers a mile-wide barrier in southeast Virginia. This unique location results in six miles of pristine Atlantic beaches, only accessible by foot, bike or boat. Primitive campsites on the beach let you wake up with sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean, if you are prepared for a strenuous four-mile hike in.

Shelling directions

Access is through the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, the furthest cars can go. From here, you can head straight to the beach and start walking south. After leaving a handful of people behind, there is usually no soul on the horizon. Shells start to appear only about a mile in, so don’t turn back too quickly.

Types of shells

We found that shelling on False Cape is entirely dependent on the elements. While living in nearby Norfolk, we took many walks with mixed success. On good days, we found giant knobbed whelks, channeled whelks, moon snails, sand dollars and starfish. But on other days, we returned practically empty handed.

---

Related Posts