DIY Seashell Guide: What You’re Likely to Find on Our Shores
If you’ve ever wandered down the sugar-white sands of Alabama’s Gulf Coast with the salty breeze in your hair and the sun warming your back, you’ve likely bent down to pluck a seashell or two from the shore. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned beachcomber, there’s something magical about stumbling across the perfect shell. Here’s your DIY seashell guide—Southern hospitality wrapped up in salty know-how.
- Scallop Shells – Pretty as a Peach
These fan-shaped beauties are one of the most common shells you’ll spot, and honey, they’re as pretty as a peach. Scallop shells come in soft pastels and sometimes deep oranges or purples. Their ridged texture makes them easy to spot, especially after a good low tide or summer storm.
Tip: Look for them along the tide line in the early morning—before all the beach traffic starts scooting around.
- Cockle Shells – Heart of Dixie
Cockle shells are shaped like a heart when looked at from the top, and that just feels right for a beach along the Heart of Dixie. These shells are sturdy and often come in pale pinks or sandy browns. Kids love them because they’re easy to collect, and perfect for crafting or displaying in a jar on your kitchen windowsill.
- Olive Shells – Slick as a Whistle
You’ll know an olive shell when you see one—they’re shiny, smooth, and shaped like a little torpedo. Alabama’s state shell, the lettered olive, is especially prized for the fine brown markings that seem to spell out tiny letters. They’re usually found just under the surface in the wet sand, so don’t be afraid to get your toes a little dirty.
Tip: If you see one wiggling, be kind and let it be. We believe in good manners—even when it comes to mollusks.
- Whelks and Conchs – The Showstoppers
Whelks and conchs are the belles of the beach ball. These big, spiraled shells are what most folks imagine when they dream about finding “the one.” You’ll often find lightning whelks or pear whelks along the Alabama shore. Make sure they’re not home to a little critter before you scoop one up.
- Coquina Shells – Tiny but Mighty
These dainty, colorful shells often wash up in clusters. They look like butterfly wings when paired up, and their rainbow of pinks, purples, yellows, and blues makes them a joy to collect. Coquinas are often still alive when you find them—they like to wiggle and burrow in the sand—so teach the little ones to admire them and let them be.
Tip: The live ones help filter the water and feed the shorebirds, so they’re more than just a pretty face.
- Auger Shells – Like Granny’s Ice Cream Cone
Augers are long, slender, and twisty, kind of like a soft serve from that walk-up stand down in Gulf Shores. These shells are small but mighty and great for any collection. Just be mindful—they’re brittle like a biscuit in July, so handle with care.
- Sand Dollars – A Southern Treasure
Finding a sand dollar on the beach is like catching lightning in a bottle. They’re delicate, white, and perfectly round with a little star pattern on top. You might find a few washed up in Fort Morgan, especially after a storm.
Tip: If it’s brown and fuzzy or has little spines moving, it’s still alive. Let that one stay put.
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Southern Tips for Seashell Huntin’
- Timing is everything. Early mornings right after high tide (or after a storm) are your best bet. The beach is quiet, the tide has done most of the work for you, and the shells haven’t been snatched up yet. Fort Morgan tends to be the most peaceful—less traffic, more treasures.
- Mind your manners. If a shell’s occupied, let it be. We all deserve a peaceful home, even if it’s shaped like a spiral.
- Bring a mesh bag. Buckets are great, but mesh lets the sand sift out and keeps your treasures from getting waterlogged.
- Don’t turn your nose up at the broken ones. Sometimes a jagged edge or weathered piece is more beautiful than perfection. Kind of like people, right?
- Snap a photo. Some of the best finds don’t need to come home with you. Take a picture and leave it for the next beachcomber.
From Our Shore to Yours
Shell hunting along Alabama’s Gulf Coast is more than just a beach activity—it’s a chance to slow down and soak up the beauty in life’s little treasures. Whether you’re walking the sands of Orange Beach, spotting gulls in Gulf Shores, or enjoying the quiet of Fort Morgan, there’s wonder waiting beneath your flip-flops.
When you’re ready to plan your next beach escape, BEACHBALL PROPERTIES has just the place to rest your sandy feet—whether it’s a cozy condo or a porch with a sunset view. Y’all come see us, and don’t forget to share your shell stories. Each one has a tale to tell.
Come Have A Ball At The Beach!
– Ginger & Hunter Harrelson
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