North Carolina Seashells

North Carolina has some of the best beaches for finding shells, year round.    After an early spring storm or during hurricane season are some of the best times for shelling.  The Outer Banks offers miles of shoreline to explore with hidden beaches that are relatively untouched.  Beachcombers may come across a freshly washed up whelk, Scotch Bonnet, clam or scallop shell.  The key to shelling is to never stop looking!

The North Carolina Shell Club allows people of all levels of expertise, ranging from beginner to professional, to meet and share information about the fascinating world of shells.  Many members transform their collected shells to beautiful art.  The Club meets four weekends per year in different locations, occasionally out of state.  Meetings include a program, speaker and the opportunity to collect shells.  Guests are invited to join the meetings.

To learn more about the NC Shell Club and membership please visit:  http://ncshellclub.com/index.htm

Ms. Karen Clay-Respass, a member of the NC Shell Club, donated many of the shells on display.  She enjoys combing the beaches along Portsmouth and Pea Islands for olives, whelks, clams and amazing finds like this seahorse.

Seashell Guide:

• Scotch Bonnet- This creamy white-colored conical shell has yellowish brown squares and spiral grooves on the body. The NC State Shell usually ranges from 1.5-4 inches.
• Whelk- This grayish-white conical shell features purple brown streaks and is recognized by its left handed spiral. Ranges in size from 4-16 inches.
• Olive- This conical shell resembles long, pointed tubes with shades of pink or dark purple. Ranges from 2-3 inches in length.

A shell’s coloring is affected by age and the environment it came from.  Shells submerged in ocean bottoms with tar will develop sections that are much darker and almost black.  Many of the darker shells on display were found by Ms. Clay-Respass on Portsmouth Island and were affected by oil leakage from submerged vessels dating back to the early 1800s.

Shelling in NC

• Ocracoke
• Portsmouth Island
• Pea Island
• Cape Hatteras National Seashore
• Shackleford Banks
• Cape Lookout National Seashore