How to Find the Best Seashells

Check out jetties and other protected areas.

Part of the fun of beachcombing is the element of surprise — you may stroll for hours before you find the perfect shell to add to your collection. However, it's this element that can also make it a very frustrating experience. If you want to ensure that you'll have the best pick of Mother Nature's offerings, use these general guidelines to plan your shell-collecting trips.

Things You'll Need

• Bucket or bag to collect shells

Instructions

1. Go where the action is. Some places are so famous for their abundance of seashells that you can't go wrong. Research your vacation spot and check out beachcombing forums and other resources. There are entire books about shell-collecting on Florida's beaches, for example. Contact the local tourism board to see if any tour companies offer shell-collecting excursions.

2. Look at low tide. This is the best time of day to beachcomb. Check the tide schedule and plan your seashell excursion accordingly. Don't forget to check under the sand after the tide has gone out, as the most delicate shells can be found this way.

3. Go seashell hunting right after a storm. The heavy surf and tides uncover shells and practically toss them up on the beach for you to retrieve.

4. Get up early. Mollusks come out at night and collect on the beach by morning. Also, you will beat everyone else to the good shells if you are the first one to the shore.

5. Search in places that have a natural barrier like a reef or rocks. Look for anything that creates a natural shell-catching outlet in the shape of a curve or the letter V.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure that the shell is not occupied before you take it home, especially if you're searching in tide pool areas. Help protect ocean life.

• Never take a live seashell out of the ocean.

• Only take the amount of seashells that you know you're going to use. Seashells provide habitat for a range of creatures, even if the shell has been abandoned.

References

• "Florida's Seashells: A Beachcomber's Guide"; Blair Witherington and Dawn Witherington