If you are vacationing at the beach, then one of the best activities is searching for seashells and shark teeth. They make wonderful, free souvenirs. It may seem that finding them in pristine condition is random, but there are times you can search for a better chance of finding them intact. Read Garden City Realty’s Beachgoers’ Guide to Finding Seashells and Shark Teeth to find out when to stroll the beach for shells.
WHERE IS THE BEST PLACE TO LOOK FOR SHELLS?
At the least crowded beaches. Finding seashells varies from beach to beach. Luckily there are a few lesser visited beaches in the Grand Strand. Garden City Beach and Surfside Beach are not as populated as Myrtle Beach. This makes it easier for shell collectors to find shells in great condition. If you are willing to drive a few minutes, then you might want to check Pawleys Island Beach for shells. These beaches are mostly populated by locals, so vacationers may be the only ones searching for shells.
Finding shark teeth in Myrtle Beach is a little different. The best place to find shark teeth is in Central Myrtle Beach, where the teeth seem to deposit the heaviest. The City of Myrtle Beach suggests searching between 50th Avenue North and 10th Avenue South.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO LOOK FOR SHELLS AND SHARKS TEETH?
Experts agree that the best time to look for shells and shark teeth is at low tide. For the best chance at finding shells, try to arrive before the tide starts to go out. As the water flows in and out it will deposit shells on the shore. If you arrive before the tide starts to come in, you will have the first pick of all the new shells that are left on the sand. If you happen to be on vacation and at the beach when it storms, you may find even more shells. The stormy weather pushes the waves on the shore, and even more beach debris washes up.
Looking for shark teeth at the beach is the opposite of looking for shells. You will want to visit the beach during high tide to find shark teeth. Get to the beach as the tide begins to rise, that way you can find the shark teeth being carried in by the waves. The water rushing in and out pulls back layers of sand to reveal the shiny black teeth.
WHAT KINDS OF SHELLS CAN YOU FIND IN MYRTLE BEACH?
There are many kinds of shells that wash up on South Carolina’s shores. However, there are some more common shells that Myrtle Beach goers may come across. The state shell, the lettered olive, is one of the most common. There are also turkey-wing shells – a type of clamshell – and the Atlantic moon shell which belongs to a large type of sea snail. There are also sand dollars, sea glass, and shark teeth that wash up on the sand. Check out this shell identification guide before you go shell-hunting.
WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH THE SEASHELLS AND SHARK TEETH?
Once you have gathered your beach treasures you might want to find creative ways to display them. There are many ways to incorporate your souvenirs into gifts, jewelry, or decorations.
You might consider painting the shells and making them into jewelry. Smaller shells make the perfect set of earrings, and shark tooth necklaces are popular beach souvenirs. Read this guide on how to make seashell jewelry for more instructions and ideas.
Seashells and shark teeth make excellent decorations. You can make a shadow box to display your shark teeth and shells. A shadow box will protect your seashells and make a beautiful wall decoration. You can even build your own shadow box with this tutorial from Better Homes and Gardens Magazine.
Turn your seashells into ornaments. Forget spending money on expensive souvenirs for your friends and family. If you have ever visited a coastal city before you know that painted seashell ornaments are very popular. Why not make your own Christmas decorations this year, and some gifts for your friends while you are at it?
If you have an empty spot on a decorative shelf, DIY seashell mason jar decorations are another cute way to add some seafaring décor to your home. Whether you want to decorate the outside of the jar with painted shells or make a mini beachscape inside the jar with sand and seashells, there is no shortage of DIY project ideas out there.
If you gather only a few shells or bring back an entire bucket full of beach souvenirs, there is a craft for you. Seashell crafts will help you get creative and save money on pricey souvenirs. Plus, if you do it yourself, you will get a customized decoration or piece of jewelry for free. This makes your seashell crafts excellent gifts. So next time you visit the Garden City Beach area, be sure to take some time to stroll the beach and look for shells.
Written by Katie Robison, Blog Contributor for Garden City Realty
