Shell Seekers D

What is it that draws young and old, tourists and locals alike to spend hours searching for the perfect seashell? Is it the thrill of the hunt, the quest for unique treasure, or simply an excuse to wander beaches aimlessly for hours? No matter the reason, South Carolina provides numerous beaches perfect for avid shell seekers.

ShellSeekersBy Julie Thompson Adolf

www.DiscoverSouthCarolina.com One of the most pleasurable pas- While not as rustic as Hunting 4,000 years ago by Edistow Indians, times when visiting South Carolina’s Island, Isle of Palms, located approxi- Edisto Island is one of the oldest settle- coast is beachcombing. While it may mately 11 miles from historic downtown ments in South Carolina. Visitors can seem a simple activity that is easily Charleston, will delight beachcombers find clues to the early inhabitants enjoyed by the entire family, there are a with the abundance of sea stars and today, with a shell mound on the few hints that will make your shell seek- sand dollars found on the shore. In beach believed to have been used as a ing more pleasurable. 1898, visitors to Isle of Palms arrived burial ground or ceremonial site. by water or a single railroad bridge. Edisto is considered to be one of Today, Isle of Palms includes the gated the best shelling beaches in South Car- best beaches community of Wild Dunes Resort, a olina, with beachcombers likely to popular tourist area, as well as numer- find prehistoric fossils such as sharks’ Most importantly, however, when ous residential and vacation homes. teeth. One of the best areas to locate beginning your shell search is location You may wish to search for shells away fossils is at the north end of the beach and timing. While you’re certain to from the crowds, but remember in Edisto Beach State Park, a 1,255-acre find shells along all of the South Car- to look up occasionally—you may see park where camping is available. olina beaches, the quality and quantity dolphins at play off the shore. For a more remote shell seeking of shells vary from beach to beach. Only a few minutes from Isle of experience, Bulls Island offers day- Hunting Island State Park, located near Palms is Sullivans Island. Charlestoni- trips that allow visitors to collect shells historic Beaufort, provides an excel- ans began building summer cottages on the deserted beach. Part of the lent opportunity for shelling. The park is on Sullivans Island in the early 19th 60,000-acre Cape Romain National one of the few South Carolina barrier century. One of its most famous resi- Wildlife Refuge, a ferry takes islands that is still much the same as dents was Edgar Allen Poe, who visitors to the island in the before the Europeans arrived in Amer- researched “The Gold Bug,” a tale of morning, ica. The island was used as a hunting buried pirate treasure, on the island. reserve, and it was only accessible by Visitors to Sullivans Island will find boat until the 1940s. Today, you’ll find less crowds than on Isle of Palms and 5,000 acres that include four miles of even more sand dollars and sea stars, beaches where you can discover as well as angel wings, whelks, scallop seashells, sand dollars and sea horses. shells, and ark shells. The most common shells found at Located approximately one hour Hunting Island State Park include south of Charleston, Edisto Island pro- clam-shells, Atlantic cockles, and vides a historical flavor for shell angelwings. hunters. Believed to have been inhabited

www.DiscoverSouthCarolina.com returning them to Moore’s Landing in Myrtle Beach Area and The Grand the afternoon. Here, beachcombers Strand. Beachcombers often find col- may find mermaid necklaces—long spi- lections of sharks’ teeth along the south rals made up of cases containing tiny, end of Pawleys Island, along with a perfectly formed baby whelks. Addi- variety of other shells. tionally, periwinkle, scallop, conch, cockle and coquina shells abound, as do kitten’s paws. timing thetools “Arrogantly shabby” Pawleys Island, located just south of Myrtle Beach, Regardless of the beach, there are Before you head off on your expedi- offers shell seekers a laid back atmos- particular times that are better than tion, arm yourself with a bucket or bag phere. Famous for its hammocks, the others for finding truly unique shells. to collect your treasures. Too many four-mile-long island was once a refuge After a storm, collectors may find spec- shell hunters forget this necessary for families of Colonial rice planters tacular shells, as the shells are pulled step, resulting in the need to juggle who sought escape from malaria. from their ocean floor fossil beds and dozens of shells in one hand while Today, Pawleys Island provides a washed ashore. Additionally, during a trying to collect more shells with the relaxed atmosphere for visitors to the new moon or a full moon, the rise and other. A child’s plastic sand bucket fall of the tides increases, producing makes shell collecting much easier. more shells on the beach. However, Another useful tool that will keep the throughout the year, shells are found on children entertained for hours is a plastic sand sieve. The kids can all South Carolina beaches. Don’t for- search for small shells and sharks’ get to search through seaweed found on teeth by pouring sand in the sieve the beach—often shells are entangled in and rinsing with ocean water, keep- the seaweed, and small but perfect shell ing them entertained while Mom and specimens can be found within the Dad nap in the sun. leaves.

www.DiscoverSouthCarolina.com the collection environmental howtopreserve Most of the shells found on the responsibility seashells beach are fairly young. Occasionally, though, an older ecto-skelton from No matter what treasures you find, You’ve found the perfect specimens please remember the most important from your beach visit. Now, how do the late Pleistocene era may be found you ensure that your souvenirs sur- on the shore—approximately 10,000 rule during your beachcombing— vive the trip home, as well as avoid years old. How can you determine the leave live creatures on the beach. Too adding that “funky beach smell” to age of your treasure? Color is a key often, in their quest for the perfect your collection? factor—a dark gray shade may indi- sand dollar or sea star, visitors collect Shells found on the beach need to be thoroughly examined to ensure cate a rare or old specimen. living specimens. To ensure that your there is no creature living within. If shell collection is environmentally A true treasure you may find during the shell is empty, soak the shell for your shell searching is the lettered friendly, please look carefully at the several days in a solution of half olive shell. This shiny little shell specimens. If it moves, place it back in water and half bleach. Rinse well with resembles an olive and was first docu- the ocean. You can tell the difference fresh water and dry the shell in the mented by Edmund Ravenel, a 19th- between live and dead sand dollars by sun. If algae is present, it can be their appearance. Live sand dollars removed by gently rubbing the shell century naturalist who donated a in fresh water after bleaching. To add collection of shells to the Charleston will be dull white or gray, with spiny more luster to your shell, polish the Museum that is still on exhibit today. hairs on the underside. Dead sand shell with mineral oil. If you find this shell, you’ll have a spe- dollars are bright white and have little Sand dollars can be preserved by cial momento from your visit to South or no hair. These souvenirs are placing them in fresh water. The water may turn brownish in color— Carolina—the lettered olive is also perfectly fine to collect. By carefully change the water until the water analyzing the potential additions to the state’s official shell. remains clear. Replace half the water your shell collection, you can help with bleach and leave the sand dollar conserve the beach and its inhabi- immersed for 15 minutes to bleach the tants for future generations. sand dollar white. Do not use too Wherever your travels lead you, much bleach or leave in the solution you’re certain to find the perfect for too long, as the bleach will cause the sand dollar to crumble. Rinse the souvenir on South Carolina beaches. sand dollar well with fresh water to remove the bleach, and allow it to dry in the sun.

If your collection includes sea horses or sea stars, you’ll need to carefully preserve them, as their odor can become quite foul. Soak the sea horse or sea star in 70-percent rubbing alco- hol for one or two nights. Allow to dry on a paper towel in the sun. With sea stars, you’ll need to flatten the arms with a small weight while drying or they may curl. With a little effort, you’ll have a beautiful, long lasting collection to remind you of your visit to South Carolina!