Beachcombing is like a treasure hunt where the beach is your map and the tide your guide. It’s an activity that combines the thrill of discovery with the serenity of a seaside stroll. From the rugged shores of the Pacific Northwest to the sun-kissed beaches of Florida, the United States possesses a wealth of coastal areas perfect for beachcombers.
Whether you’re searching for seashells, sea glass, or other marine curiosities, these 25 beaches promise rich pickings and unforgettable experiences.
Sanibel Island, Florida
Often called the ‘Shell Capital of the World,’ Sanibel Island is a beachcomber’s paradise. Its east-west orientation acts like a giant scoop, catching shells from the Caribbean and other southern seas.
Glass Beach, Fort Bragg, California
Once a dumping ground, nature has transformed this beach into a wonderland of sea glass. The shoreline sparkles with smooth, colorful glass pebbles—a testament to the ocean’s ability to turn trash into treasure.
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Ocracoke Island, North Carolina
Part of the Outer Banks, Ocracoke’s remote location means less competition for prime beachcombing finds. Keep an eye out for whelks, Scotch bonnets (the state shell), and the occasional message in a bottle.
Shipwreck Beach, Lanai, Hawaii
True to its name, this beach is known for fragments of shipwrecks that wash ashore. While collecting is prohibited, the beach offers a unique opportunity to see how the ocean reclaims man-made objects.
Drakes Beach, Point Reyes National Seashore, California
Famous for its white sandstone cliffs, Drakes Beach is also a hotspot for sand dollars and moonsnail collars. After winter storms, lucky beachcombers might even find fossils eroded from the cliffs.
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Dauphin Island, Alabama
This barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico is a shell-seeker’s dream. The east end of the island, in particular, is known for its abundance of olive shells, angel wings, and even the occasional lightning whelk.
Eleuthera Island, Bahamas
While not technically in the U.S., this Caribbean island is worth mentioning for its pink sand beaches and excellent shelling. The beach sand gets its rosy hue from crushed coral, making even a handful of sand a worthy souvenir.
Lincoln City, Oregon
Each year, local artists hide hand-blown glass floats along this 7-mile stretch of beach. It’s like an ever-changing, community-driven art installation with the Pacific as its gallery.
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Calvert Cliffs State Park, Maryland
Step back in time at this unique Chesapeake Bay beach, where 15 million-year-old fossils regularly wash ashore. Shark teeth, ray plates, and ancient shells make for prehistoric prizes.
Bandon, Oregon
Known for its dramatic sea stacks and wild beauty, Bandon’s beaches offer an array of agates, jasper, and petrified wood. It’s a rockhound’s paradise set against a stunning coastal backdrop.
Cumberland Island, Georgia
This undeveloped barrier island is not only home to wild horses but also a wealth of shells and shark teeth. The lack of development means pristine beaches and abundant finds.
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Tunnels Beach, Kauai, Hawaii
While Hawaii prohibits removing natural materials from beaches, Tunnels offers incredible beachcombing for viewing and photographing. Look for cowries, sunrise shells, and vibrant sea urchin tests.
Folly Beach, South Carolina
Nicknamed the ‘Edge of America,’ Folly Beach is known for its diverse array of shells and fossil finds. The Morris Island Lighthouse, visible from the beach, adds a picturesque backdrop to your beachcombing adventure.
Presque Isle State Park, Pennsylvania
This Lake Erie peninsula proves that great beachcombing isn’t limited to the coasts. Beach glass in rare colors like red and orange is a prized find here, thanks to the area’s industrial past.
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Padre Island National Seashore, Texas
As the world’s longest undeveloped barrier island, Padre Island offers 70 miles of pristine beachcombing. From colorful coquinas to lightning whelks, the possibilities are as endless as the shoreline.
Peacock Beach, Washington
Part of the Olympic Peninsula, this remote beach is known for its peacock-colored rocks, courtesy of copper deposits. It’s a geological wonderland where even the pebbles are works of art.
Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island, Georgia
As the name suggests, this beach is a haven for driftwood collectors. The weathered trees create a hauntingly beautiful landscape that’s as much a photographer’s dream as a beachcomber’s.
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Moonstone Beach, California
Named for the semi-precious stones found on its shores, Moonstone Beach is a gem hunter’s paradise. The translucent, rainbow-hued moonstones are like little captured pieces of magic.
Cocoa Beach, Florida
More than just a surf town, Cocoa Beach offers excellent shelling, especially after storms. Keep an eye out for Florida fighting conch shells and sand dollars.
Homer Spit, Alaska
Beachcombing takes on a whole new dimension in the Land of the Midnight Sun. This 4.5-mile-long glacial moraine offers up everything from agate to driftwood under the glow of extended summer days.
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Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan
The Great Lakes are a beachcomber’s best-kept secret, and Sleeping Bear Dunes is the crown jewel. Petoskey stones—fossilized coral unique to Michigan—are the ultimate prize.
Assateague Island, Maryland/Virginia
Famous for its wild ponies, Assateague also offers excellent beachcombing. The ever-changing shoreline reveals new treasures with each tide, from whelks to moon snail collars.
Jalama Beach, California
Off the beaten path, Jalama Beach rewards intrepid beachcombers with a variety of finds. Agates, petrified whale bones, and even fossilized shark teeth can be found along this rugged stretch of coastline.
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Oahu’s North Shore, Hawaii
While collecting isn’t allowed, the North Shore’s beaches offer visual beachcombing at its finest. After big winter swells, the beaches are strewn with colorful seashells, sea glass, and driftwood—a natural art installation courtesy of the Pacific.
Pawleys Island, South Carolina
This barrier island is not only rich in Low Country charm but also in beachcombing opportunities. From lettered olive shells to sand dollars, the beaches here offer a diverse array of coastal treasures.
Happy Beachcombing
As you plan your beachcombing adventures, remember to check local regulations—some areas restrict or prohibit collection to preserve the natural environment. Always follow the beachcomber’s golden rule: take only photographs and leave only footprints in ecologically sensitive areas.
So grab a bucket, put on some sunscreen, and let the tides guide you. Who knows what treasures await just around the next bend?
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