The beach at sunrise takes on a different personality, with quiet, peaceful sounds, beachcombers searching for the perfect shells, the warming sun shining on small traces of sea glass and shells rolling in the surf just waiting to be found. If you time the tide right - you can find beautiful shells and sea treasures. Spending the morning walking through the cool, wet sand and listening to the faint bird chirps through the roar of the ocean to some, seems like a fantasy. For the lucky vacationers to the Crystal Coast or our permanent residents that call our beaches home - this is part of their morning routine. The towns along Bogue Banks, knows for their shells, all offer pristine beaches and lush coastline for those early birds looking to hit the beach before the island wakens. Beach-goers that will be joining you in the early morning hours are usually those hunting for shells!

What are the best spots to hunt for shells? Collectors say that Hammocks Beach State Park and Cape Lookout National Seashore are two of the top shelling beaches in our area! If hitting the beach at low tide is not your style, you can visit the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, NC, where they have over 1,000 seashells on display.