Where's the best seashell hunting in Palm Beach County? When is the best time to look?

Lianna Norman, Palm Beach Post
·2 min read

National Seashell Day may be over, but you can enjoy combing the beach for shells and shark teeth any day — every day, if you'd like. Just leave some behind for the other shell hunters.

The Palm Beaches isn't a bucket list destination for seashell collectors. And Palm Beach County may not be the seashell capital of the world, like Sanibel Island on the west coast, but don't let that discourage you from looking for treasures in your own back yard.

Where to find sea shells in Palm Beach County

Largely because of dredging and beach restoration projects that have taken place throughout some of Palm Beach County's popular beach spots, there are plenty of treasure troves for the average shell hunter.

If you're on a quest for a crazy find, like a rare junonia snail shell, you're in the wrong place. Around 95% of the junonia shells found on Florida beaches are discovered along the west coast. Although, a beachcomber from North Palm Beach discovered one of the rarest shells in the world — in perfect condition — on the shore in Juno Beach two years ago.

Here are some beaches in Palm Beach County where you have the best chance of finding shells and shark teeth:

  • Jupiter Island

  • Juno Beach

  • Palm Beach Island

  • Singer Island

  • Peanut Island

  • Red Reef Park, Boca Raton

Looking for shark teeth? These five beaches in Palm Beach County are known statewide for shark tooth hunting

When is the best time to go shelling?

Kristen Moretti of West Palm Beach crouches amongst thousands of sea shells washed up on the beach at Carlin Park in Jupiter, looking for shark teeth, Monday, October 5, 2020. [JOSEPH FORZANO/palmbeachpost.com]
Kristen Moretti of West Palm Beach crouches amongst thousands of sea shells washed up on the beach at Carlin Park in Jupiter, looking for shark teeth, Monday, October 5, 2020. [JOSEPH FORZANO/palmbeachpost.com]

The best time to go shelling is at low tide. The morning low tide typically produces more shells than low tide in the evening, because mollusks feed at night, leaving more shells behind on the shore in the morning.

Test your shelling knowledge: Hey shell lovers, can you name these 7 shells?

You'll find more shells after a storm or close to a full moon

Because of the dramatic shift in tides when the moon is new or full, more shells wash up on shore in the days surrounding a full or new moon. Similarly, stronger currents and tides from storms bring more shells to shore as well.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Best beaches for seashell hunting in Palm Beach County