Breezy Point Public Beach, located in Calvert County, Maryland, is one of the best shelling beaches on the East Coast. I mean, tides vary in intensity every day, so it is important to check tide tables before planning your trip. This entertaining ocean attraction is a huge reason why Ocean City is among the most popular beaches in Maryland. Might be more on Assateague, don't know for sure. Grant Park Beach is at the south end of Grant Park, accessed via Grant Park Drive or E Oak Creek Parkway. 7206 National Seashore Lane, Berlin, Maryland; 757-336-6122. Good luck! Maybe they are worried about people keeping live shells?? Types of seashells found on Blind Pass Beach: Conch, Junonia, Lightning Whelk, Cockle, Scallops, Murex, Tulip, Olive and Coquina 2. And I will definitely have to look into both the purse and the sifter for our next trip! You'll find a variety of seashells, including whelk, olive, and moon snail in . Summer is the most popular time to visit this town on Maryland's Eastern Shore thanks to daily highs hovering in the 70s and 80s. The island has miles of isolated beaches making for a great shelling adventure. Whether you stick close to shore or venture out into deeper waters which can be done safely due to shallow depths there are endless possibilities for finding unique shells that range from common varieties like hermit crabs to rare finds like conchs or whelks. I can't wait to share it with you so you can plan the perfect adventure! The Oak Island Lighthouse sits on Caswell Beach and is a fun spot to take pictures. Deacon Ritterbush, known as Dr. I wish I could be back at the beach shelling too! You can explore the island by golf cart, bicycle, or foot. Because industrial-age, glass-using humans have lived on Maryland's shores for a long time, the amount of castaway glass in its waters is proportionally much higher than it is on other coasts. Thats right. Search Hotels.com for the best places to stay on Ocracoke Island.Search VRBO.com for the best places to stay on Ocracoke Island. The southern end of the island, South Point, is also a good place to look for shells as scotch bonnets and sand dollars can wash up on the shore. She spends her time chasing around a curious 4-year-old and going on coffee-fueled adventures throughout Maryland. If youre looking for an abundance of seashell-lined beaches, then the Florida Gulf Coast is the region for you. Tubbs Inlet is located between Ocean Isle Beach and Sunset Beach. The tranquil waters of the Chesapeake Bay make for perfect conditions for finding interesting seashells. Located west of the Mississippi Delta, the beaches are constantly replenished by the Mississippi Rivers southeast tidal flow, which carries rich deposits of driftwood and a wide variety of shells. Not only is the fort one of the coolest things to see in the area, but the shelling is also great. Just south of Ocracoke Island is Portsmouth Island. It is about 48 minutes away from Washington, D.C, making it the nearest beach spot on this list. Search Hotels.com for the best places to stay near Masonboro Island. Meanwhile, Darryl Carrison has a close encounter with a great white shark. To find shells, people suggest visiting at low tide and walking into the water a few feet deep to hunt for shells. Required fields are marked *. Knobbed whelks, bay scallops, Scotch bonnets, and other types of shells can be found washed up on these shorestry to comb the beach early in the morning, at low tide, after a storm, or during times of lower visitation such as the winter months for the best yield. When it comes to finding shells on this beach, youll want to keep an eye out for tiny green crabs, horseshoe crabs, moon snails and much more! You found quite the collection! And on cold days, its a good idea to limit your combing for a half hour or so then warm up in a tent, a car, a cabin, etc. These Florida Keys resorts are ideal for family getaways and romantic retreats. Assateague Island National Seashore is 37 miles long. Take your time. I love shelling! For many who live in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia, the Maryland beaches are easiest to get to and full of activities to enjoy. Negative low tide is the best time for beachcombing. We have so many fun places to go shelling to along the NC coast. best shelling beaches in maryland. This stretch of beach, too pebbly and steep for sunning and often too windy for comfort, delivers a nice walking workout with your beachcombing. As autumn is in full swing and winter hovers on the horizon, beachcombing season beings in earnest. Topsail Islandhas always been one of my familys favorite beaches in North Carolina because of the calm waters and uncrowded beaches. Meander to different areas on the beach. Find the best travel insurance for you with these U.S. News ratings, which factor in expert and consumer recommendations. Ill never forget the trip I took to Sand Dollar Island with my daughter a few years ago. Lighthouse Beach is often listed as one of the best shelling beaches on Sanibel Island. We visited Pea Island in January a few years ago. Youll find a variety of seashells, including whelk, olive, and moon snail in a wide array of colors. UPC: 832972481. Like other beach spots in the state, Matapeake Beach is an excellent place for tons of activities. Best Beaches in Maryland Ocean City, MD Assateague Island Calvert Cliffs State Park Gunpowder Falls State Park Sandy Point State Park Kent Island North Beach View 14 Photos Belongs on List?. A Kubota carries 4 people (6 seaters are also available), has plenty of storage, and will allow you to explore the beach at your own leisure. Ocracoke Island is known to be one of the best shelling beaches in the U.S. partly because of its uncrowded beaches that take a 4WD vehicle to explore. Posted by ; modelo del ciclo basado en el cliente; Search Hotels.com for the best places to stay on Holden Beach.Search VRBO.com for the best places to stay on Holden Beach. But seeing the falls and wading in the waters make the trip worth it in the end. He is author of eight books, including Its So Good: 100 Real Food Recipes for Kids, Red Truck Bakery Cookbook: Gold-Standard Recipes from Americas Favorite Rural Bakery, and the small-press smash Looking for Calvin and Hobbes: The Unconventional Story of Bill Watterson and His Revolutionary Comic Strip. I am channeling my inner artist looking at I love exploring nature, quaint towns, fantastic restaurants, and unique travel destinations. In 1918 the SS Princess Sophia mysteriously sank near Juneau, Alaska. An archipelago on the Caribbean shore of Panama, the San Blas islands are some of the most beautiful, remote beaches in the world, with coral reefs and lots of shells. This spot has earned its nickname as the "shelling capital of the world!" In fact, shell hunting here is so iconic that there's even a posture named after the island. 4 Bed 3 Bath Sunset Beach HouseJust Steps From Kindred Spirit Mailbox. Search Hotels.com for the best places to stay near The Point on Oak Island.Search VRBO.com for the best places to stay near The Point on Oak Island. We chose Brownie Beach, near Chesapeake Beach in northern Calvert County, which is renowned for the fossilized shark teeth found on its shores. Located in Historic Yorktown, Yorktown Beach offers guests both a relaxing day on the water and an energetic night at Riverwalk Landing, a popular dining and shopping experience for beachgoers. Matoaka Beach: A Maryland Beach Full Of Seashells And Fossils Posted in Maryland Nature, On The Water March 25, 2021 by Jamie Alvarenga This Hidden Beach Along The Maryland Coast Is The Best Place To Find Seashells And Fossils When it comes to beaches, Maryland is mostly known for its most touristy spot, Ocean City, Maryland. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content. While you can find them year-round, some claim winter seems to be the best time to find seashells of all shapes, sizes, and colors. Search Hotels.com for the best places to stay near Shark Tooth Island. This beach offers some of the best shelling opportunities on the Lee County coast. When it comes to beaches, Maryland is mostly known for its most touristy spot, Ocean City, Maryland. Hart-Miller is accessible only via personal boat and has a 3,000-foot sandy beach for you to enjoy. If there is ice on the beach, bring along a thermos of hot water to dislodge objects in ice. Any place closer to OC to do it? Heading to the shore for a day, a weekend or even a week is a fun, relaxing option for travelers of all ages. Caswell Beach is one of the few beaches in the world where you can watch the sun rise and set without moving (because of its east-west orientation). All rights reserved. One of the best places to look for shells in the area is Sea Shell Beach Pocket Park. Search Hotels.com to find the best places to stay on Carova.Search VRBO.com to find the best places to stay on Carova. It was really fun researching to find the unknown or lesser-known spots like Bird Island and Masonboro Island. Move slowly. You'll have the highest chances of uncovering shark teeth, oyster shells, and Chesapecten scallops. I hope you get to spend some more time on NC Beaches. It is a popular destination in the beach town of Delaware, with many fun options to keep your family together. The Raneys rescue some inexperienced homesteaders in Alabama. Id just relocated home to Annapolis after twenty-five years living in Hawaii and the South Pacific. Huntington Beach State Park (in Murrells Inlet) is another good spot for shelling and beachcombing. An excellent spot for a quick daytrip from Baltimore or other northern Maryland towns, Gunpowder Falls State Park features many amenities and activities for beachgoers to enjoy. There are gorgeous white sand beaches, and some of the best beaches for shelling on Sanibel are still-undiscovered gems. Deep Creek Lake is the largest lake thats inland in the state. Time your excursions a few hours before low tide to a few hours after low tide. The chilly, snow-less morning arrived with a thick, heavy, gray cloud cover. Besides peaceful strolls, you can also go stand-up paddleboarding, jet skiing, tubing, and more on the lake. It is a gated beach which requires an $8 fee to enter. The net around its large swimming area keeps out unwanted sea creatures like jellyfish. Click HERE to read my full post about how to find seashells on Ocean Isle Beach. Betterton Beach is a 5.2-acre landscaped waterfront park. Frisco Beach on Hatteras Island is unique for its south-facing beach. Make sure to explore the seafood restaurants in Kent Island. Let me emphasize one more time that you really need a 4WD to even get to Carova Beach. We havent ever been shelling but my kids do love those shell bags for finding fun stuff on the trails. With fewer crowds and more extreme weather patterns, beachcombing from fall through spring is actually the best time to hunt for treasures in the sand. Enjoy strolling along the tiny sandy beach just below the massive cliffs inside the state park. Even during peak season visitors can find themselves with plenty of space and time to hunt for their favourite types of shells without interruption. I would love to come to the West Coast to go shelling. You can find shells on the sound side or ocean side of Shackleford Banks. See Also:5 Best Beaches for Toddlers in Florida. If you cant find what youre looking for, visit the Jeffreys Bay Shell Museum, which houses more than 600 species from around the world. All you really need is a bag or bucket to put the shells ina separate bag for the more fragile shells is helpfuland, unless you are an expert, a good shell identification guide is a must. Low tide exposes more of sand, mud, rocks, etc so you can walk further out to explore more of the area you want to comb. It is awash with numerous snails, clams, and all kinds of cool and fancy shells.. When you work up an appetite, head to a bayfront eatery to savor delicious seafood like Maryland crabcakes. You have been to some pretty cool places in the world. As the new abalone season begins a new crew are on the hunt for valuable abalone. Staurolite crystallizes at 60 or 90 degree angles making the stone's cross-like or "x" shape. Family Destinations Guide is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. There can be biting midges on this island, so bring bug spray, or wear long sleeves and pants. What are your favorite beaches? Alternatively, you may use, Holiday Inn & Suites Ocean City, an IHG Hotel, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Ocean City - Northside, an IHG Hotel. In fact, the island is only accessible when the tide is low, which is why it usually doesnt show up on a map. The beach offers plenty of room to explore and even some picnic tables if you want to take a break from your shell hunting while enjoying the beautiful scenery. I hope you get to visit. While youre in the state park, make sure to visit the historic Turkey Point Light located in the south part of Elk Neck Peninsula. The water is warmer on Frisco Beach than on east-facing beaches on the Outer Banks, and there are even times during the year you will have an oceanfront sunset. I still think that getting to the OC beach early and collecting shells is the way to go. Caladesi and Honeymoon Islands. The sandy beach here is small, but visitors have access to a playground and 13 miles of hiking trails. It even has picnic areas for when you need a break. When My family has been there, the ferry dropped us off on the sound side, and we walked around to the ocean side, where we were able to find large shells by wading in the water a bit. Sanibel's beaches, protected by a . 10-50. The beautiful scenery and natural wildlife provide an even more enjoyable experience as you wander along its sandy shores. Get ready for your own castaway-like adventure. Just check local rules and regulations. One of the best beaches in the Bahamas for shelling is Somerset Creek Beach, on Andros Island, although you'll need to wear sandals or shoes to keep from cutting your feet. Point Lookout is among the best when it comes to mixing history with recreation. Mike tracks down a rare '91 Alfa Romeo 164L. Bowman's Beach. Other things to do on Bald Head Island include climbing the Bald Head Lighthouse (which can be seen in the movie Weekend at Bernies), exploring the beautiful trails, or taking a historic tour and learning about the islands interesting history. It also has gently sloping shorelines that help delicate shells to wash ashore in one piece. The best time, in general, is at low tide especially when the tides are low early in the morning. 3. You found some amazing shells.. But when Marty is forced to quarantine, Matt and Misty make a golden discovery. Its the best place to go if you want to find sand dollars. Unfortunately, the engine needs some serious work. There are many different species of shells that can be found on these sandy shores, making for a great day at the beach for children and adults alike. Nevin Martell is a parenting, food, and travel writer whose work has appeared in the Washington Post, New York Times, Saveur, Mens Journal, Fortune, Travel + Leisure, Runners World, and many other publications. And since youre in the bay, you can even swim in the significantly calm waters. Im so glad you got to go shelling at Ocracoke. Coastal HighwayOcean City, MD 21842(410) 250-0125. 2023 Discovery Networks International. If you visit on a weekday morning, by a private boat shuttle or eco-tour experience, you will likely have at least a mile of pristine beach to yourself. When it comes to activities, travelers can mini-golf or head to the boardwalk to shop, play games and enjoy amusement rides. Shelling in NC must be really fun! Sandy Point State Park is a top choice for the safest beach for kids in the state. You can do this when youre feeling hungry after a lovely day out on the beaches. THE BEST SHELLING BEACHES ON THE EAST COAST Ocracoke Island is a shelling paradise. Lovers Key is a 2.5-mile stretch of beautiful beach along the Gulf of Mexico. Sanibel island has 15 miles of beaches, 22 miles of bike paths, abundant wildlife and the largest undeveloped mangrove ecosystem in the country. 10540 H. G. Trueman Rd., Lusby, Maryland; 301-743-7613. The beach is open from sunrise to sunset each day and provides visitors with access to nearly eight miles of shoreline along the Chesapeake Bay. Wow, this is an awesome post! Generally, it is best to plan for low tide to enable a much wider area of the beach to be accessible and visible, exposing more of the beachs hard-packed sand and making shell collecting easier. Dont forget to walk on the citys 3-mile boardwalk and check out the incredible local restaurants. See a Map of the Maryland Eastern Shore Visit in the Spring or Summer to see live Coquina Clams come up to the surface briefly before burying themselves in the sand. Boil for about 3 minutes. Those coquina shells are so colorful! Its now on my travel bucket list, along with Coquina Beach. Oak Island has two great places to hunt for shells Caswell Beach and The Point. Bay side would be good as well. It is probably the best beach spot for swimming in Maryland. Squat or use grippers or long-handled scoops to retrieve things of interest in the sand. Bundle up and head out to explore the shore. Signup for our newsletter to get notified about our next ride. Sandy Point State Park Maryland. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Hampton Inn Salisbury, 1100 E College ParkwayAnnapolis, MD 21409(410) 974-2149. A top beach to go to in Maryland is Ocean Citys massive and accessible public waterfront. Hunting during the winter will also increase your chances of finding shells as there are fewer people then. A fun fact about this island? Looking for somewhere to go canoeing or other water activities? And its less crowded than other beaches on the island. Swimming is allowed but at your own risk. This restored waterfront town looks stunning because of its architecture and incredible landscape. North Beach makes for an easy getaway from Washington or northern Virginia: It's situated in Calvert County along the Chesapeake Bay. You can even see those phosphorescent plankton that you only see in pictures. The beach is a mile long, studded with coconut trees and paved with millions of tiny shells in all the colors of a Bahamian sunset. Yorktown Beach, Yorktown, VA. Marco Island, Florida. Or that the plain, chalky while shells found on some beaches are actually 10 million year old fossils. Scotch bonnets are prized discoveries in these parts, so keep your eye out for the yellow, orange, or brown mottled shells, which are two to four inches long. best shelling beaches in marylandasbury park press classifieds. Check tides before you go at saltwatertides.com. Elms Beach Park 25 Beaches Parks By ECAC322 Miniaturization of our well-known 19 X 27 poster, reproduced faithfully in amazing detail Set of 6, 5 x 7 cards, blank inside, with envelopes Cards and envelopes made from recycled and recyclable paper Species caption and artist bio on back UPC barcode (7 40620 90050 1) and Bookland EAN ISBN (978-1-893770-50-8) barcode . Im glad you found it useful. Im glad you pointed out that shelling can be mentally healthy. They tend to belong to the same type, like big clams, but they come in many different sizes, colors, and shapes. Thank you! And every artifact has an interesting story to tell. Get more stories delivered right to your email. Your email address will not be published. There's much to discover beyond theme parks in this Southeastern state. Live, love, love this post! Alameda, Los Olivos, Pacifica, CA, TX, Los Gatos, TN, Toronto, Greensboro -- You are reading "15 Best Shelling Beaches in Florida this Weekend" Back to Top. Its unique geography means that there are around 250 different species of shells to discover. Like Sand Dollar Island, there are great shallow tidal pools to play in. Contact a location near you for products or services. Ive never seen some of the ones in this post! Blind Pass Beach. But from the research Ive done online, the views make it worth it. Address: 14770 Captiva Drive, Captiva. Another great place for shelling in Florida is at Marco Island, which is the largest and only developed island that forms part of Florida's Ten Thousand Islands. The entire island is about 32 miles long, but the west end tends to be the best for beachcombing. Wondering how to beat the winter blues, especially if budgets are tight? A secret government facility in the wilderness may be hiding an extra-terrestrial pyramid. This is a Florida shell identification guide that was provided near Sanibel Island shelling beaches.Stop by the Sanibel Island visitor center to get your own Florida shell identification guide that you can carry with you to the beach! Located approximately 20 miles east of Annapolis, about 40 miles southeast of Baltimore and roughly 50 miles east of Washington, Kent Island boasts a few top-notch beach areas. If you want fossils, head to Calvert Cliffs, which boast 30 miles of the most productive coastal fossil grounds in the entire United States. Kent Island is the largest island in the Chesapeake Bay. Its hard to find them all, but they are out there! Besides being among the clear water beaches in Maryland, this island is known for its beautiful salt marshes, forests, and wildlife population. Contact: jalvarenga@onlyinyourstate.com, 7 Little Known Swimming Spots In Maryland That Will Make Your Summer Awesome, The Sunrises At This Beach In Maryland Are Worth Waking Up Early For, The Hidden Beach In Maryland Thats Off The Beaten Path, Marylands Most Refreshing Hike Will Lead You Straight To A Beautiful Swimming Hole, Youll Love This Secluded Maryland Beach With Miles And Miles Of White Sand, Assateague Island Is A Fascinating Spot in Maryland Thats Straight Out Of A Fairy Tale, Head To Woodlake Tree Farm In Maryland For Your Autumn, Winter, And Home Decor Needs, These 10 Lakes In Maryland Are Picture-Perfect For An Autumn Day Trip, 9 Little Known Beaches In Maryland Thatll Make Your Summer Even Better. Cherry Beach is perfect for boating and fishing, thanks to its boat ramp and pier. But practice caution and stay with a buddy. Pea Island is secluded because there are no homes or hotels on the island. The closest place to stay near Fort Macon State Park is Atlantic Beach, which is also a wonderful place to go shelling. But, one small fix becomes a big problem for Ant as the entire engine has to be Mike finds a true unicorn of the car world: a '95 Volvo 850 T-5R, a station wagon with a racing pedigree. If you want to kayak to Masonboro Island or nearby Zekes Island, you can find a kayak tour HERE. It will take you to the Cape Lookout Lighthouse. Youll find the greatest abundance after a large storm, in the shallow pools. In NC, youll be able to find scotch bonnets (the NC State shell), conches, whelks, periwinkles, sundials, olive shells, and so many more shells. 2022 Chesapeake Family Life. That's right. #2 Shelling Tip- Look at the moon phase. Its optimal for shelling because you can only access it with 4WD, meaning fewer people to compete with to find those shell treasures. I was surprised to see people taking the live sand dollars with them. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. However, if you wish to stay closer to home, there are plenty of options on the inland shores. the best beaches for shelling on Sanibel . Tigertail Beach, Marco Island As intriguing as the name of this beach may sound, the Tigertail Beach is one of the best places to find seashells in Florida for more reasons than one. So, my best shelling tip I can give you if you're on Isle of Palms is to head to the beach access on 42nd Ave. That's where we've had all of our wonderful shell hauls and it's kept us busy for hours. Shelling is one of my meditation in motion activities when beaching it. Caladesi Island State Park. Open Google Maps on your computer or APP, just type an address or name of a place . Other reportedly good places to search are North Beach, Oxford Beach -- home of the town's now-submerged original landfill -- and the shore at Sandy Point State Park. You can also go on a guided shelling trip HERE. And you can even swim in the ocean (provided you stay near a lifeguard). Let the water come to a boil slowly. 9 Breezy Point Beach. Pro-tip: Park in the parking lot at the north end of the island (right before the Bonner Bridge) and take the path to the beach. You may be surprised to learn that certain pieces of broken rock, for instance, may in fact be flakes of stone chipped from the forging of arrowheads and spear tips by American Indians thousands of years ago. Aside from going on a boat trip, Tiger Tail beach is probably the best place for shelling on Marco Island. #3 Shelling Tip - If it is possible, stay at a hotel or inn close to the beach. Its super exciting to find shells. Here, there have been reports of a variety of shells including oyster, cockle and scallop varieties being found over the years. Thank you! Whether youre looking for rare or common shells such as scallops, oysters and clams, Breezy Point has something to offer everyone. With 10 miles of lifeguard-patrolled sands overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, ample bars and restaurants, and plenty of rental condos, beach houses and hotels for accommodations, Ocean City makes for an excellent getaway. Fill a pot halfway with shells and add enough water to cover. Distance of Restriction Beyond Marina. Wow. Gorgeous! You can get there by renting a kayak from Pleasure Island Rentals. My daughter loves hunting for treasures on the beach. Beachcombing is a far more expansive activity in terms of locale and artifact selection that you might think. Smith Island Photograph by Amanda Whiting. Interested in even more beaches in Maryland? Sea glass is so cool to find. 4 North Beach and Chesapeake Beach. The sandy beach is perfect for finding different kinds of shells and other treasures from the Bays waters. I never knew! Also, wade out into the water a few feet to look for shells. I heard its best at low tide, but I was there in the afternoon and easily found shells, says Christabel Lobo, a freelance writer and designer born and raised in Dubai. Anything is better than this. When it comes to waterways and coastlines, Maryland is the state to visit. When we arrived, my husband and oldest son secured the tent in the hardened sand as my daughter, my toddler and I moved to the waters edge to comb through piles of shells searching for shark teeth. Copyright Family Destinations Guide 2023. What a great resource for finding sea shells in North Carolina. Marty creates viable access through dense terrain, while Misty builds an underground garden. What a great resource for knowing which beaches are best for finding shells! Many folks think Sanibel is the best place to find seashells, but shell hunters know better.