Beachcombing on Amelia Island

Amelia Island is amazing for beach combing. I wish our waters were a little more emerald blue but our treasures of seashells, shark teeth, and the occasional sea glass make up for it.

Often after a storm is the best time to go out shelling!
There's often nothing I'd rather be doing than taking a walk on the beach looking for treasures. If I'm not doing that, I'm probably working on signs about finding beach treasures…..or cleaning my house and running my kids around!

Tell me your favorite beach finds and hit that button to follow along in my coastal journey. If you need some signs to go with your finds, you know I've got you covered!

Why Amelia Island is One of the Best Beachcombing Spots on the East Coast

Amelia Island sits at the northern tip of Florida where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Amelia River, and that geography is exactly what makes it such a treasure hunter's paradise. The tidal shifts, storm activity, and proximity to ancient fossil beds mean the beach is constantly turning up new finds, including shark teeth, whelks, lightning whelks, olive shells, sand dollars, and the occasional piece of sea glass.

What to Look For When Beachcombing on Amelia Island

Shark teeth are the holy grail for most beachcombers here. Look for shiny black triangles in the shell line at low tide. They're fossilized, which is why they're dark rather than white. The smaller ones are easy to miss until your eye gets trained, and then you'll start seeing them everywhere. After a storm is always the best time to go out, as the wave action stirs up the sand and brings new treasures to the surface.

Beyond shark teeth, keep an eye out for whole whelk shells, coquina clumps, and if you're lucky, a piece of coral or a fossilized bone. The north end of the island near Fort Clinch State Park tends to have the best shelling.