At the age of 12 I started collecting seashells and have been growing my collection ever since. Every time we travel to a beach destination…you’ll find me out walking the beach looking for new treasures to add to my collection. I have over 250+ seashells (currently) and its constantly growing. This doesn’t include the boxes upon boxes of shells that I collect & use in my crafting projects.
When heading to the beach you’ll need a few basic things: lingerie or mesh-netted bags and a small sand shovel. Some shells will easily be found tossed up onto the beach and other’s you’ll find by digging around in low tide pools, around rocky jetty’s and so forth. Different species live in different environments and can be found during different times of the day.
The photographs that I’m sharing in my post today were taken in October 2018 while hubby and I were down at the beach in Wildwood, New Jersey. It’s one of our favorite places to visit! The beach walk shown in the photos occurred right before sunset (hence the darkness) and during low tide.
During this particular jaunt we were looking specifically for larger sized whelks and conch shells. The majority of the time we find them in low tide pools after the tide has gone out. You will need to check the tide charts for the area that you’re visiting for their local high and low tide schedules.
Sometimes you’ll find the larger ones just laying around in the low tide pools, but often times you’ll have to dig around for them. We only go into low tide pools that are less than 2 feet deep and where we can clearly see the sandy bottom. Even so, you’ll want to be careful if you’re wading or digging around in the low tide pools when you’re out shelling.
On this particular venture we found 4 large Knobby Whelks, 1 medium sized Channel Whelk and I collected the shells from 4 deceased Horseshoe Crabs. I don’t collect Horseshoe Crab shells but I do use them in various craft projects that I make.
When it comes to collecting seashells you ONLY want to collect the shells from deceased animals. If you come across an occupied shell with a living animal inside…please return it back into the water or where you found it. Our Marine eco-systems are very fragile, so please don’t kill any animals when it comes to collecting shells!
Once collected you need to rinse them with running water from the tap or from a garden hose. Rinse away the sand, debris and saltwater. Let them air dry. For the trip home you can protect them by wrapping them in pillowcases, beach towels, placing them in socks, wrapping in paper towels, etc. You NEVER want to wrap them with newspaper because the ink can & will rub off onto your pretty treasures!
Well…there you have it! I thought it would be fun to show you a few photographs of me out collecting seashells with my husband. It’s something that we enjoy doing together!
I think I would enjoy collecting some shells to use in craft projects, especially ones I have found on this blog.
Thanks for the helpful hints. I don’t collect shells but love to go out at low tide to explore and beach walks are the best. Thank you for cautioning folks to not take an occupied shell. We really need to respect our beaches and ecosystems.
I also collect shells. However, I don’t have anywhere near the great collection you do (250+); I am jealous. Thank you for pointing out that only shells with deceased animals should be taken and shells with live animals must be returned.
I have a slew of them! If there are any specific ones that you need for your collection, I can see if I have them and send them to you (free). Just let me know 🙂
I loved looking at these wonderful pictures makes me miss the ocean it sure has been way too long since I have been there. I so love conch shells I used to collect them too.
I would enjoy this a whole lot. The closest we come to shells here is fossils (does that count?) I love the ocean altho we are not near one. I would likely be out there all the time collecting shells.
My husbands family lived in Spain when they were stationed there and his Mom collected shells. They were stored at his Grandmothers an when she passed we found them- she had had them shipped from Spain! I kept only one as it hadn’t broke or deteraited, the rest I used in te front for a landscaping project. The shells were quite old from the 1970s Neighborhood kids would come up to them and be amazed. They do break down :/ There is not much left of them anymore I do know the plants thrived when they were there.