A Guide to Shelling on the Outer Banks

The Outer Banks’ beaches offer more than just fun in the sun and crashing waves. Beachcombing offers treasures for those that are willing to hunt! Shelling on the Outer Banks delivers fun for the whole family but can also act as a peaceful way to enjoy some time to yourself. Many members of the staff here at Twiddy & Company are avid seashell hunters and we wanted to share our knowledge, tips and finds with you!

While Whelks are the biggest shells you are likely to find, there are many other smaller shells you can hunt for while on the Outer Banks! The more shells you discover, the more you will realize that no two shells look the same: the coloring, the weathering, the size, etc. That means every shell you find will be unique and can be a wonderful keepsake from your vacation.

Let’s continue our shell education with smaller shells and a few rare ones!

Before we dive into our shelling tips and advice, let’s finish our shell education with a few fun ones: sea stars, fulgurite, and sea glass.

If you can find all of these while on your vacation, then you are an all-star beachcomber!

Now that you know what to look for, we will offer our tips and tricks on seashell hunting. What’s the best time of the day? Do the tides affect my treasure hunt? Where on the Outer Banks beaches would I find a whelk? We’ve got you covered!

When is the best time to go shelling?

The best time of the day to comb the beaches is at sunrise because you will beat everyone else out there and the ocean has shifted the shell beds all night. Another thing to consider is the tide; low tide provides the widest beach and reveals the shell deposits that were hidden during high tide. Check the tide chart to know when these times are each day. Time of the year can also play a factor in shell hunting. Typically, fall and winter are the best times to find the rare shells due to more storm activity and less people.

Where is the best place to hunt for shells?

The incredible coastline of the Outer Banks spans roughly 200 miles from Corolla to Ocracoke providing you with plenty of places to go shelling. When searching on the beach, focus on looking under seaweed clumps, in tidal pools and right by the water. Remember that many just look on the surface; sometimes you need to dig down a little to find the good stuff! All of the shells mentioned above can be found on any of the OBX beaches, but you may have better luck at finding certain ones with our advice.

4×4 Beaches of Carova

Whelks, Calico Scallops, Sea Glass, Sand Dollars

4 wheel drive allows you to find shell beds on the go!

Wide and uncrowded beaches

Corolla and Duck

Whelks, Calico Scallops, Sea Glass, Sea Stars

While Whelks may be common, try finding one that is perfectly intact – rare!

Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head

Whelks, Coquina Clams, Calico Scallops, Sea Glass, Fulgurite, Sea Stars

There is even a beach named after the Coquina Clams in South Nags Head called Coquina Beach!

Ocracoke

Scotch Bonnets, Whelks, Calico Scallops, Sea Glass, Sea Stars, Sand Dollars

Take a day trip to Ocracoke to find a Scotch Bonnet!

Good luck on your OBX shelling treasure hunt!

We’d love to see your finds! Tag us in your OBX shelling Facebook and Instagram posts.