Sanddollars - What to Expect on the Emerald Coast

1. Sand-dollars here are small - The complete sand-dollars you find will range from 1/4 inch in diameter to silver-dollar sized. 

2. Okaloosa Island is the place to go - Hands down you will find more sand-dollars on Okaloosa island from the shore than you will in Navarre. You might not find much else, but you can find sand-dollars. That's not to say you can't find any in Navarre. I've gone out to a sandbar in Navarre and snorkeled for sand-dollars with success. Here's a video as proof. https://youtu.be/VnrG7fo6sS8 - I've just had more luck walking the shoreline on the Island. 

3. Go early - Other people know about this sand-dollar phenomenon. If you want to find a bunch of sand-dollars, suck it up and get there as early as you can.

4. Get in the water - You don't have to snorkel, but getting in the water can give you a different angle of view.

5. Shell havens - Find areas where the water breaks at the shore. In areas where there are more broken shells and debris, this is where more sand-dollars will be hiding.

6. Trust your eyes. - Your eyes can naturally pick out the anomaly of a circle. Don't strain, trust your eyes to tell you what's waiting under the water.

7. Baseline - I average about 20 sand-dollars on a regular day with one to two hours of walking and looking. Just think with just five good days you can have a hefty collection.

8. Travel - The hardest part about collecting sand-dollars is getting them home in one piece. Place them in a hard box, like an empty Altoids container or an empty Styrofoam cup and handle with care. Be prepared that some may still break. My husband always says it's okay when a sand-dollar breaks, it reminds us that life is fragile.

9. Cleaning - Sand-dollars are brittle as long as they are wet. When you get home soak the sand-dollars in a week bleach solution for up to an hour then place on a paper towel to dry. You can brush the dried sand-dollars in a 50/50 solution of basic white glue and water to seal and add some additional strength if you like.

10. Relax and enjoy - When I find a sanddollar I feel very blessed. What's more is I have the sand, sun and water to enjoy while I'm sand-dollar hunting. 

7 Tips for Shell Collecting on the Emerald Coast

I love shell collecting. Its such a relaxing experience to listen to the waves, breathe the salt air, feel the sand in your toes, all while finding surprises on the shoreline. Shell collecting can be one of the most relaxing, enjoyable activities here on the Emerald Coast. But if you are seeking unique finds its good to know when to go and how to look. I encourage you to try different areas. Explore from Navarre to Okaloosa Island, to Destin and beyond. Get to know what each location can bring. There are plenty of shells for the taking. Here are some of my top tips for having great shell collecting days:

1. Go early, go often, preferably during low tide.
1. Google "Tides" and the corresponding zip code and you will get a glimpse of when high and low tides in our area occur. At low tide shells are revealed in areas you might need to snorkel at a different time of day.
2. It is true that the early bird get the worm. You are not the only shell collector on the coast. Sure, there is plenty for the taking, but early shell goers have the advantage of scooping up the truly unique shells. Try getting to the beach just before sunrise. Not only will you have a chance and some unexpected treasures you will also get to enjoy the amazing one on one experience with our areas' beautiful sunrises. I love going shell collecting early because I can watch nature get started with its day, i.e. I love seeing the dolphins, the Pelicans and plenty of other beach birds as they get moving and feeding.  
3. Keep in mind that some days just don't have shells in them, but there is plenty to enjoy at the beach, especially if you go early. The area I live in is so touristy that I prefer to shell in the fall  and winter because it doesn't seem like I can get there early enough to get ahead of all the early risers here in the summer.
2. Visit the beach the next few mornings after a strong storm.
1. I have tested this method with excellent results. Storms kick up and bring in new waves of shells to the shore. 
3. On your first pass look in the sand where the waves were, not where they are now.
1. There is a lot of sand to cover when you consider high and low tide areas. If you are visiting the beach at low tide then look in the sand where the waves left a mark at high tide. It could be 20 to 50 feet from where the shore is at the moment. 
4. On your return check in the water where waves break just before the shore.
1. getting in the water is one my favorite things about shell collecting. If you look right where the waves break on the shore and create a shelf area sometimes you can find pockets filled with shells. I have had the most success finding sandollars this way. If the water is flat and shallow walk in a bit further and observe the sand. Take it all in, enjoy your walk back and you just might find something truly unique. Be careful though some beaches don't allow for this method. Navarre has a particularly steep coastline and the waves break too hard some days for my taste.  
5. When you can, go snorkeling
1. Sometimes the fun shells are waiting for you just beyond the shore. Get some exercise in and go snorkeling. Just keep in mind that shells with living creatures in them should be left where they are.  
6. Relax and trust your eyes to find the unique shells.
1. Sometimes I can get a headache trying to focus in on a specific area or look deeper in to the water. Your brain is smart. it can tell a circle from a crowd of edges. If you have a particular shell in mind that you are targeting, just relax and let your brain do the work. I do this with sandollars and jingle shells. I know my brain will pick out the smooth roud sanddollar from any group of shells. Jingle shells sparkle/shine differently from the rest, so I know my brain will give me a nudge when I see one.
7. Never take live shells, it’s illegal. 
1. In our area this would apply mainly to lettered olives and coquinas. If you swim out to a sandbar to collect shells then much more would apply. Coquinas are those cute little shells that wiggle back into the sand as waves retreat. They come in beautiful colors and I have known people that say they have collected and eaten them. But it sure seems like a lot of work to make that a meal and coquinas provide valuable nutrients for shore birds. Make sure you don't see a creature hiding in its shell before you decide to take them home. 
2. Consider planning a weekend trip to St Joe's Bayou during scallop season or St. George Island during Oyster season if you are interested in a different, live shell adventure. 

Links: 

Florida Wildlife Commission - Bay Scallops
Florida Wildlife Commsion - Oysters and Clams




Happy Shelling!