Fantastic Low Tide Shelling at Holden Beach

Today we're getting out to Holden beach at night again. It's super early in the morning and low tide, so in theory pretty good shelling conditions!

[@babs629]

I had so much fun watching this video! Thank You so much from Idaho.

[@shellstories]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@destinysimplyme3011]

Thank you - how soothing to listen to the sea while you share your finds.

[@shellstories]

Thank you. And agreed :)

[@brendagroff8478]

I need longer and more Shell Stories 😊

[@saraclark8611]

Awesome beach walk! So many beautiful shells! The eastern murex, the whelks, I love olives I could go on and on and to finish with an imperial Venus 🎉👍 what a morning!

[@shellstories]

Thank you! It really was quite awesome. Those murexes are so hard to find and I got lucky for sure. I've never seen so many olives in one area like I did at Holden, it's pretty spectacular!

[@nancycross2228]

I love early morning shelling. Beautiful sunrise photos !! I need to explore the East coast !! Thank you !

[@debbiegillespie4454]

4 in the morning? I guess that does beat everyone else

[@FloridaBeachWalks]

Wow those biscuits were amazing!!! I’ve never found one of those before! I need to venture north! Thank you 😍

[@shellstories]

Thank you so much! The sea biscuits are really unique, and there is no other place like Holden!

[@FloridaBeachWalks]

@@shellstories I have wanted to check that place out…one day 🙏🏼 it’s on my list 👍🏼

[@kristibruns6111]

What an awesome beach walk!

[@shellstories]

Thank you so much!

[@amandaclark2340]

I just realized that must where the horse got its name sea Biscuit. Thank you for sharing this. I wonder what u do w the shells? I would make a wind chime I think. Thank you 💛💫💚

[@kathyjund7212]

Oh my gosh what an awesome adventure that was.. easten murex babys ears olives and augers galore! Geeze all you need is a helmet to top it off.. thank you for shelling before dawn and taking us too!❤

[@shellstories]

Thank you so much! It really was a fantastic day. I was very happy with the murex. Helmets have got to be one of the rarest shells in this area. Pre sunrise shelling is the best!

[@wandadorsey8895]

The large gray bittersweet is fossilised like the sea biscuits. The black scallops are that way also. Thanks for sharing. I’ve shelled there many times during daylight, but would love to shell before sunrise. Blessings

[@shellstories]

Pre sunrise shelling is the best. I think the bitterswet is just discolored from being buried in the sand, to me it doesn't quite give the "chalky" look of a fossilized shell. Many shells on the east coast are like this. Thank you so much for watching and commenting!

[@sharonsnyder1500]

I was at Holden a couple of years ago. Loved it.

[@shellstories]

It's pretty awesome!

[@LindaMoganOsborne-dm9cc]

Enjoyed the shell adventure

[@shellstories]

Thank you!

[@user-kr7ii7sc3y]

Awsome find I wish our beaches here in california would be full of shells like that

[@shellstories]

I've heard there's a few areas in California that do have shells, but seem to be very hard to come by. Thank you for watching!

[@jenniferdevinney541]

Its so strange I live in Raleigh and visited Holden Beach for a week every day year from 0-18 and though i didnt look tot hard as a kid i never found a single shell worth taking home and definitely never saw a sea biscuit! For over a decade now I spend at least 2 weeks a year shelling in Sanibel Florida where there are tons of shells. It amazes me there are shells at Holden!

[@shellstories]

That's a very interesting observation. The offshore dredging that took place two years ago must have helped tremendously with the shelling. Thank you for commenting! :)

[@brendagroff8478]

Gorgeous Imperial Venus clam.

[@shellstories]

I was ecstatic!

[@andouille9950]

Those whelks were begging to be adopted...

[@shellstories]

That big one is probably one of the nicest sizable one's I've ever found!

[@christinamoore2790]

awesome murex still wanting to find one myself.....but still waiting for you to realize you probably walked over soooooo many sharks teeth.....those shell beds are the BEST to look for sharks teeth

[@shellstories]

Oh, I'm well aware. However, I was mostly just after shells and it is hard to look for both efficiently.

[@fredamoore1743]

Love the night shelling at Holden. Was this before turtle season? What kind of light did you use. What light do you use during turtle season. You know I have been trying to get to Holden for months. Finally suppose to go during Memorial Day wkend. I would love to do night shelling. All your shells are awesome. The Eastern Murex was amazing. I actually love those large Bittersweet. I can't wait!!!!

[@shellstories]

Yes, this was before turtle season, it won't start til May in NC. I've never shelled during the season, so I can't really give a recommendation but I'm sure any fairly strong red light will do the job. I would just go an hour before sunrise when first light starts if that's an issue. Good luck on your trip! I'm sure you'll have a great time, and don't forget to stop by the pier for the best shells! Thank you for watching and commenting :)

[@clairedaisle5829]

What section of Holden Beach do you find the most fruitful? Any landmarks or cross streets? Will be stopping by there next week. Love your videos.

[@shellstories]

Thank you so much! I've had the most luck around the pier. It's in the center of the island and can be seen from anywhere on the beach. Right at the pier it can get pretty busy, but once you walk away either direction you will find good stuff!

[@brendagroff8478]

When shells get discolored because of the elements in the sand does the color fade back to normal. I have two northern moon snails that were black when I got them but now they're not so dark. Has that happened to you? Love your videos. Thank you.

[@shellstories]

I'm not an expert and I don't know if the reactions that take place have more long lasting effects on the color of the shells, but there very well could be. Could also be from the shells drying out if they were beach found. I don't think I've noticed any of my discolored shells change color but I'll be on the lookout now!