Discover South Carolina Seashells
South Carolina is a beautiful place to plan a vacation any time of year and if you’re someone who loves to hunt for local treasures when you roam somewhere new, places like Kiawah Island are designed by nature just for you. In total, the coastal waters of South Carolina host over 700 species of shellfish, and subsequently, beach hoppers will find places like Kiawah Island are terrific for shelling adventures. Whether you set out to search for South Carolina seashells independently or book a tour with a focus on shelling fun, you’re sure to come across unexpected finds that thrill!
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Incredible Finds Await
South Carolina seashells have long fascinated beachcombers with good reason. The sheer diversity of shells you can potentially come across as you walk along the shorelines here is inspiring to visitors of all ages. To make the most of your time and find as many unique shells as possible during your Kiawah Island visit, you’ll want to be sure to walk slowly, observe your surroundings carefully, and focus on the water’s edge, where the majority of shells are deposited by the tide. Any time you add shelling to your itinerary in South Carolina, there’s a good chance you’ll find shells ranging from coquina and cockles to pen shells, angel wings, and olive shells too. Sand dollars, sea urchins, and starfish are also possible to find alongside lima clams, scallop shells, and horse conch, to name a few of many.
Guided Outings to Consider Booking
Spending time searching for South Carolina seashells on your own is always a treat, but if you want to work alongside the professionals and likely increase your finds, there are guided outings you can participate in as well. The team at Coastal Expeditions on Kiawah Island does a Bull Island Beach Drop for shelling enthusiasts once a month in tandem with the right tide levels that’s sure to delight. You’ll also find you can sign up for shelling expeditions at Kiawah Island Resort as early as April each year. These outings are typically led by a naturalist and provide participants with access to barrier islands that might otherwise get overlooked. Here, you’ll learn more about the importance of shells within the greater ecosystem and gain insight into techniques for finding as many as possible.
Looking forward to shelling on your own? Kiawah Island Beachwalker Park offers a great access point to the beach as well as parking.
Identifying Shells Native to South Carolina Coastlines
When you focus your shelling adventures around Kiawah Island, you’ll find it’s a great place to pinpoint shells that are native to South Carolina coastlines. That’s because Kiawah Island typically has an abundance of lightning whelk, olive shells, coquina shells, and slipper shells, too. Lightning whelk can be identified by their prominent ridges, while olive shells come in a wide variety of hues and patterns that swirl together to create eye-catching patterns on the shoreline. Where coquina shells resemble mini clamshells, slipper shells have a unique asymmetrical appearance and elongated form that makes them distinct to spot in the sand.
Booking Your Shelling Adventure to Kiawah Island Today
Make more of every moment on Kiawah Island in luxury and style when you book vacation accommodations at Andell Inn the next time you’re here. Reach out today to learn more about our options and start turning those travel plans into a reality soon.
