Last Updated on October 2, 2023
Beachcombing is a fun activity that lets you connect with nature and find unique treasures.
The United States has many beaches perfect for beachcombing, from California to Hawaii.
Below, a list of some of the best beaches for beachcombing in the US, where you can find everything from colorful seashells, sand dollars and polished sea glass to unique driftwood and fascinating marine artifact.
California
Glass Beach, Fort Bragg
This beach is made up of millions of pieces of sea glass, which were created when a former dumpsite was filled with bottles and other glass.
Today, it’s a popular spot for beachcombers looking for colorful treasures.
You can find a wide variety of sea glass in different colors, shapes, and sizes.
Drakes Beach, Point Reyes National Seashore
This beach is known for its abundance of seashells, including whelks, sand dollars, and abalones. It’s also a good place to find fossils, such as shark teeth and whale bones.
Beachcombers often discover beautiful seashells, fossilized shark teeth, and remnants of marine life.
Cabrillo National Monument, San Diego
This park is home to a variety of beachcombing finds, including seashells, fossils, and even shipwrecks. Visitors can also enjoy stunning views of the Pacific Ocean from the park’s bluffs.
You can search for seashells, explore tide pools with fascinating marine life, and even stumble upon relics from shipwrecks.
Pigeon Point Lighthouse State Beach, Pescadero
This beach is known for its beautiful scenery and its abundance of sea glass. It’s also a popular spot for whale watching, as gray whales migrate past the beach each winter.
While beachcombing, you can find a variety of sea glass pieces worn smooth by the ocean waves.
Florida
The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel Island
These beaches are known for their abundance of seashells, including whelks, sand dollars, and angel wings.
Sanibel Island is particularly known for its shelling and is often called the “Shelling Capital of the World.”
You can find an array of seashells, including delicate angel wings, intricate sand dollars, and beautiful whelks.
Siesta Key Beach, Sarasota
This beach is known for its soft, white sand and its clear, blue water. It’s also a good place to find seashells, including coquinas, sand dollars, and moon shells.
While beachcombing, you may come across colorful coquinas, smooth sand dollars, and unique moon shells.
Clearwater Beach, Clearwater
This beach is known for its beautiful white sand and its clear, blue water. It’s also a good place to find seashells, including whelks, sand dollars, and Scotch bonnets.
Beachcombers often discover seashells like whelks, sand dollars, and the occasional prized Scotch bonnet.
Naples Beach, Naples
This beach is known for its soft, white sand and its clear, blue water. It’s also a good place to find seashells, including whelks, sand dollars, and coquinas.
While beachcombing, keep an eye out for beautiful whelks, delicate sand dollars, and tiny coquinas.
Oregon
Lincoln City
This beach is known for its abundance of sea glass, as well as its other beachcombing finds, such as driftwood, fossils, and even geodes.
Along with sea glass, you can find driftwood, fossils, and occasionally, geodes that have washed ashore.
Neskowin Beach
This beach is known for its beautiful scenery and its abundance of seashells. It’s also a popular spot for surfing, as the waves here are some of the best in Oregon.
Beachcombers often collect a variety of seashells, including scallops, clams, and small agates.
Cannon Beach
This beach is known for its iconic Haystack Rock, which is a popular spot for tide pooling and rockhounding.
Visitors can also find a variety of seashells on this beach, including sand dollars, agates, and jasper.
You can find sand dollars, agates, jasper, and other seashells while exploring the tide pools and rock formations.
Coos Bay
This beach is known for its abundance of seashells, including clamshells, cockles, and winkles. It’s also a good place to find driftwood, fossils, and even geodes.
Beachcombers can find a wide variety of seashells, including clamshells, cockles, and small winkles. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for driftwood, fossils, and the occasional geode.
North Carolina
Ocracoke Island
This island is home to a variety of shells, including whelks, sand dollars, and Scotch bonnets. It’s also a good place to find fossils, such as shark teeth and whale bones.
While beachcombing, you can find a wide range of shells, including whelks, sand dollars, and the sought-after Scotch bonnets.
Keep an eye out for shark teeth and fossilized whale bones as well.
Hatteras Island
This island is known for its pristine beaches and its abundance of seashells.
You can also find other treasures on this beach, such as shark teeth, fossils, and driftwood.
Beachcombers often come across seashells like whelks and sand dollars, as well as shark teeth, fossils, and interesting pieces of driftwood.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore
This park is home to over 70 miles of undeveloped beach, making it a great place to find seashells, shark teeth, and other treasures.
Visitors can also enjoy stunning views of the Outer Banks from the park’s sandy shores.
Explore the untouched shoreline to find a variety of seashells, search for shark teeth, and discover hidden treasures along the beach.
South Carolina
Hunting Island State Park
This park is known for its beautiful beaches and its abundance of seashells. It’s also a great place to spot wildlife, including dolphins and sea turtles.
Beachcombers can collect a variety of seashells, including conchs, cockles, and augers. Keep an eye out for dolphins and sea turtles while enjoying the shoreline.
Myrtle Beach
This popular vacation destination offers miles of sandy beaches and plenty of seashells to discover.
Visitors can also enjoy a variety of water activities, such as swimming, surfing, and paddleboarding.
While beachcombing at Myrtle Beach, you can find a wide array of seashells, including scallops, whelks, and cockles.
Keep an eye out for sand dollars and starfish as well.
Hawaii
Lanikai Beach, Oahu
This beach is known for its powdery white sand and its clear, turquoise water. It’s also a great place to find seashells, including cowries, cone shells, and olivella shells.
While beachcombing at Lanikai Beach, you may come across beautiful cowrie shells, intricately patterned cone shells, and tiny olivella shells.
Papohaku Beach, Molokai
This beach is one of the largest white sand beaches in Hawaii, offering miles of pristine shoreline.
It’s also a good spot for beachcombing, with the possibility of finding seashells, coral fragments, and driftwood.
Beachcombers at Papohaku Beach can discover a variety of seashells, coral fragments, and unique pieces of driftwood washed ashore.
Waimea Bay Beach, Oahu
This beach is known for its large waves, making it a popular spot for surfing.
It’s also a good place to find seashells and other beach treasures, especially during low tide.
While beachcombing at Waimea Bay Beach, keep an eye out for seashells like cowries and cone shells. You may also find interesting pieces of driftwood and coral.
Alaska
Kenai Beach, Kenai Peninsula
This beach offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and the opportunity to find unique beachcombing treasures.
Visitors may discover seashells, driftwood, and even the occasional piece of sea glass.
While exploring Kenai Beach, beachcombers can find seashells of various sizes and shapes, weathered driftwood, and the occasional smooth piece of sea glass.
Homer Spit Beach, Homer
This beach is located on a narrow strip of land that extends into Kachemak Bay, offering panoramic views of the water and the mountains.
It’s a great place to find seashells, driftwood, and other marine debris.
Beachcombers at Homer Spit Beach can discover an assortment of seashells, unique pieces of driftwood, and various types of marine debris washed ashore.
Read also: White & Black Sand Beaches in USA
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