Hunting the beach for shells is one of my favorite activities. I relaxes me, eases my mind and releases my stress. It reminds me of what is important in life. So here is a guide to help you get the most out of your hunting.
What will you need?
1. Wear comfortable clothing or bathing suit. Nothing worse than being uncomfortable in the water or have things fall out.
2. Bring a bag or a small bucket. Mesh bags with small holes work good. But I usually just use a plastic bag.
3. Bring water
4. Shell hunting can be done with kids or your friends or by yourself.
5. Some people bring sand sifters. I usually don't I like to pack light.
Conditions have a big effect on hunting. However there are so many variables and factors that can contribute to a successful day finding sea shells. Storms, tides, swell, wind, and season can impact your success. I try to go out before and after a a big storm. But mostly I just go when I feel like it.
Picking your beach is also important. Ask your friends and other locals of the area where they suggest looking. Usually they know the best spots. I have found my spots by exploring. Sometimes places I never expect or usually don't find them will end up giving me a big harvest.
Try not to look for certain shells, but for shells in general. If you go out only looking for conch shells you will miss some beautiful things that you over looked.
If you find yourself among other shell hunters, be considerate. If I see someone looking for shells near me that might not be having the best luck, I try to be kind and give them a few of mine that I may have a lot of. There's nothing better than a stranger giving you a pretty sea shell. If someone try's to give you a shell, always take it. Don't just walk by other beach goers and ignore them. Smile make eye contact and introduce yourself. I've best some of the best people on the beach. Beach people are a community.
Safety. Always check the flags, be aware of dangerous currents or riptide a and check to see if there has been an abundance of sea life that could be harmful around. Always watch where you step and where you are going.
When you are on the beach looking for shells two of the best places to look is the tide lines and where the water breaks on shore. These will be in most cases where you will find them.
Watch the currents, and how the water moves. You will be able to learn how to judge the movements over time and the more experience you have.
You cannot get every shell you see. You must have patients, and great hand eye coordination. In most cases once you see a shell you want you have to get it at that moment or it will be gone. Everyone in a while you get a second chance to grab it, but the tide will move it quickly.
Some people will stay in the same spot and wait for them to come, some will walk back and forth, some will just go in one direction. I personally like to take a long walk and then walk back quickly scanning the ground I've already covered. It never stays the same anyways, but I get bored standing around waiting for the shells to find their way to me.
Don't forget to look up and take in the horizon, you might see a dolphin!!!! If you walk around with your head down, you will miss something!
Don't dismiss the broken shells, sometimes a fractured shell can be the most beautiful one you will ever find.
Don't get jealous if you see someone else finding more shells or prettier shells or bigger shells. Be happy for them, maybe they really needs that good luck to lift their spirits, maybe the ocean is giving them a little hope. You can always go back again the next day and start new.
The truth is though, you can try and follow all these directions, and all these rules , but more than likely you will get frustrated and just do whatever works for you. That's even better.
The more rules and restrictions we put on our selves and on our lives , the less enjoyable it will be. If we focus only on the steps, we forget about the journey, and we will never get to the place in which we started walking to.
I hope you find the experience as enjoyable as I do.
