How to Find Sand Dollars at the Beach

The sand dollar (phylum Echinodermata, class Echinoidea) is related to the starfish and sea urchin. It lives slightly buried in the sand in shallow coastal waters but will wash up on the beach when it dies, momentarilty exposed for the eagle-eyed collector.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Liquid Bleach
• White Glues
• Foam Brushes
• Butter Bowls
• Paper Towels
• Paper Towels
• Buckets
• Paper towels

Where to Look

1. Check on any rules about beachcombing before your begin your quest.

2. Obtain a tide schedule from a beach store or look in the local newspaper for the times of the low tide.

3. Take a small bowl, such as a butter bowl lined with a paper towel, to lay the smaller sand dollars in. They break easily until they are preserved.

4. Start your search at low tide - the lower the tide, the better chances you have of finding perfect sand dollars.

5. Search after a storm. Be sure to look around in the debris at the high-tide area.

6. Watch at the edge of the water as it recedes. The sand will wash away from the buried shells. You will need to be quick to get the sand dollar before the next wave washes it away or buries it.

7. Collect only dead sand dollars. They will be about 1 to 4 inches in diameter and look like a large, white coin. Live sand dollars are brown and fuzzy - sort of like refrigerator leftovers.

8. Watch for the very small dollars to make beautiful earrings. See "Make Sand Dollar Jewelry," under Related eHows.

Preserve Your Finds

9. Soak your sand dollar in fresh water.

10. Change the water frequently, as it will turn brown and start to smell. Continue until the water stays clear.

11. Mix a solution of 2/3 fresh water and 1/3 bleach and let the sand dollars soak for about 10 to 15 minutes.

12. Rinse with fresh water and let dry.

13. Mix water and white glue in equal portions.

14. Use a foam brush to cover the sand dollars completely with the glue mixture.

15. Let the sand dollars dry completely before using in jewelry or displaying.

Tips & Warnings

• If you find several in one area, search that same area every low tide. There could be a bed located close by.
• Do not pick up shells in prohibited areas.

on 8/8/2006 If you go out to about knee-high water and dig into the sand with your toes, you will probably find a hard, smooth surface. If you do, that is a sand dollar. But don't forget to check if it's alive or dead.

on 8/8/2006 If you go into the ocean about 100 yards (or right after a sand bar) you might step on a hard surface. That is a sand dollar. You may even find a starfish! Make sure it is alive or dead, and then check with the beach workers to make sure it is OK to leave with a live animal.

on 7/26/2006 While you are soaking your sand dollars in bleach, be sure to take a toothpick and clean out the mouth (hole in the middle at the bottom) of any remaining hairs. Place them in the bleach and water solution with the bottom facing up. Push them from side to side to get all the air out of them, which is when the bubbles stop coming out. This way you bleach the inside of the sand dollar as well as you do the outside.

on 3/8/2006 If you find several sand dollars, and want to carry them in a bag, it's better to place them on their sides; like slices of bread in a loaf. That way, they won't break as easily from the weight of the other wet sand dollars.

on 11/22/2005 If you expect to find sand dollars in the high tide, or from the shore line where the waves rarely touch, you will only find broken ones.