Shelling in North Carolina Tips | Where & What to Look For

Found on North Carolina’s coast, Sunset Beach is known for being home to a number of activities to enjoy on or near the water. From trying your hand at surfing to fishing with a local charter to going for a sunset stroll, the possibilities are endless. An easy activity to enjoy is searching for shells on the shore near your Sunset Vacations rental. To help you be as successful as possible, we’ve put together a guide of tips for shelling in North Carolina.

When to Go Looking

While you can certainly go beachcombing any time of day, certain times and conditions are better than others. For example, the hour before and after low tide is prime time for finding shells washed ashore. Consult a Sunset Beach tide chart to see when low tide is happening every day. Exploring after a storm is also a great idea, as these conditions churn up shells from deeper water.

What to Bring with You

Shelling is an activity that doesn’t require much gear. All you really need is something to put your treasures in, like a mesh bag. For help unearthing shells, things like a sand sifter and digging tools are useful but not a necessity. 

Where to Go Shelling

There are plenty of places to search for North Carolina shells near your Sunset Beach rental. A popular option is Bird Island, a large nature preserve known for sand dollars and knobbed whelks. Head to the east side of Sunset Beach to Tubb’s Inlet and see what the active surf and shifting sands have uncovered. In general, the shoreline in Sunset Beach is known for being a treasure trove for olive shells, sand dollars, cockle shells, and even horseshoe crab remains. We recommend buying or downloading some type of shell guide to help you know what you’re looking for.

Enjoy a Coastal Escape to Sunset Beach

Make going shelling on your vacation to Sunset Beach in North Carolina a breeze by booking a vacation rental near the beach. At Sunset Vacations, we have a number of vacation homes on or near the shoreline in Sunset Beach. This means you can spend more time searching for shells and sea glass and less time getting to the perfect spot. 

Whether reserving one of our North Carolina beach vacation rentals or something a bit more inland, rest easy knowing you have a well-appointed place to call home. Browse our inventory to find the Sunset Beach rental that meets all your wants and needs. Because we have homes in an array of sizes, styles, and budgets, we have something for everyone. Call 800-331-6428 to speak with a reservationist about which place is right for you. Be sure to ask about our vacation specials for ways to save!