Why now is best time to go shelling in Myrtle Beach area. Where are top spots for shells
Thousands of tourists pour into the Myrtle Beach area each summer to bask in the warm weather and enjoy its miles of sandy beaches.
However, when the temperatures drop and the crowds leave, the area becomes an off-season retreat, especially for those who love to shell.
The Carolina coast from North Myrtle Beach, to Pawleys Island, to neighboring North Carolina, offers shellers an abundance of seashells, including some that can only be found in the area.
Even popular shellers on social media platforms such as YouTube have made their way to the area to gather sea biscuits, found only in Holden Beach, North Carolina, and South Carolina’s state shell, lettered olives.
If you’re new to the area, or just visiting, here are some things you should know about shelling from fall to spring, and some of the best spots for your treasure hunt.
What’s the weather?
The Carolinas are in hurricane season through November. So it’s not unsual for the Myrtle Beach area to be impacted by severe storms, some that can develop into a hurricane.
However, it should be said that shelling after storms some times produce better opportunities to find more shells as the ocean is churned and waves roll those beauties onto the beach.
A good place to find shells is the rack line. This is the highest spot where the tide has come in and deposited shells and other debris before going back out.
While the water may be too cold to get in, the temperatures stay mild year round. The temperatures can be in the 70s to 80s in the fall and then hover in the 60s from December through April. But there can be some cold days as well, so plan to bundle up if you do hit the beach. The winds are a lot chillier closer to the ocean.
Pay attention to the tides
The tide schedules shift during the winter and spring. Low tides are mostly in the early morning hours of 2 to 4 a.m. and high tides are during the day. So plan accordingly.
There is some debate among shellers about whether it’s best to shell during low or high tide. But whatever your preference, paying attention to the tide charts will make your beach trip more pleasant.
Best spots to shell
Most shellers have their favorite spots to hunt. And many of them don’t like to share.
A good place to get connected with other shellers are the Facebook groups Carolina Seashellers and Grand Strand Shell Club, whose members often share tips and ideas for shelling.
While you can find shells at most of the beaches along the Grand Strand, South Strand and in North Carolina, there are some that offer better results.
Holden Beach, North Carolina. This island, just over an hour drive from Myrtle Beach, offers shellers the prized sea biscuit. Yes, there are other beauties to be found here, such as whelks, lettered olives and banded tulips, but the real reason to come is to snag this sought after fossil. The sea biscuits found in the Carolinas are fossils of extinct echinoderms. The rounded domes look like a version of their relative, the sand dollar, but they no longer live in the Carolinas. The ones on Holden Beach are believed to be 34 to 55 million years old. They are plentiful now because of dredging of the sea floor that happened in 2022. They can usually be found readily on the beach.
Huntington Beach State Park. This oceanfront park in Murrells Inlet is a great spot for finding shells, including whelks, lettered olives and moon snails. You can also find sand dollars and a number of shark’s teeth here. The park offers three miles of undeveloped beach that is perfect for shelling. And during the off season, you sometimes are the only one there.
Pawleys Island. This island is just a short distance from Murrells Inlet and is a low-key, quiet spot for those not into crowds. It is great for finding whelks, scallops, lettered olives, moon snails, jingle shells and what is known as the Pawleys shell (a Venus clam shell), which local legend says can only be found on the island.
Litchfield Beach. Next door to Pawleys Island, this beach is also a quiet spot and a favorite among shellers. It too was dredged about two years ago and offers some great shells.
Myrtle Beach State Park. This state park is nestled along the coastline, just a short distance from the busy downtown city of Myrtle Beach. It may not be as quiet as some of the other beaches as its a favorite for both locals and tourists year round. However, it is not as crowded during the off season and is a good place to shell. It’s also a great place to find shark’s teeth, especially near the pier.
Cherry Grove Point in North Myrtle Beach. This section of beach, which is further away from the touristy downtown, tends to provide opportunities for shells, including sand dollars. During low tide, beachcombers are greeted with several tidal pools and a wide area of exposed beach in which to search.
2nd Avenue Pier in Myrtle Beach. The area around the 2nd Avenue Pier tends to bring a good selection of shells. It’s also a hot spot for different shark’s teeth. Areas around piers, including Apache Pier, are generally a good spot to shell.
