SHELLS upon SHELLS found on a beautiful Caribbean beach!

On this adventure, we will trek deeper into Puerto Rico - Playa El Cocal in Yabucoa, PR! Take in the wonderful coastal scenery while we find tons of shell goodies including, Helmet shells, Cones, and Top shells, just to name a few!
There have been a few people who have asked me what gear I use to film my adventures, so I will start including that in the descriptions of my content:
LG V60 Smartphone: Primary POV filming tool
Sharp Aquos R6 Smartphone: Primary POV filming tool ​
Panasonic GH5 + Panasonic 8-18mm: occasional B-Roll camera + lens
Gopro Hero 8: used primarily in underwater footage
DJI Mavic Air: aerial drone shots
DJI Osmo Mobile 3: Smartphone Gimbal
MOVI Freefly Cinema Robot Gimbal

[@katherinesills3852]

One more thing, thank you for including the names of the sea shelling in your videos!! That is excellent. Keep shelling!

[@sherrytraveny8803]

Nice shells you found so cool

[@Sea-cucumber1151]

9.24 you past the brain looking coral on your right, pretty cool!

[@doctordoctor7813]

The foraminifera all over these shells & rocks looks like red paint splashed everywhere ❤️❤️❤️

[@solaceinshelling6552]

So many molluscs in PR had foraminifera on them!

[@fatherandsonsfishing]

Wow! Helmet City! So cool to have that place to yourself -- great finds!

[@solaceinshelling6552]

Thanks for watching!

[@thatgardeninggirl2864]

I'm 42 been to the beach maybe six times in my life my two sons and I just got back from Hilton Head-Coligny Beach Park 3 weeks ago I FEEL IN LOVE man o man what I wouldn't give to live closer to the beach ANY beach I tried my hand at shelling brought back a few but the best thing was I found and saved a live sand dollar

[@pamelaklemp5615]

I've always enjoyed seeing all the beautiful and different shells 🐚. More and more I find myself interested in shell hunting as a new hobby to start in 2024. Love the beach and the beach towns so it would be a great fit for additional fun while visiting more of our country's many and diverse beaches. Glad I found your channel.

[@solaceinshelling6552]

So happy to hear that you are beginning your shell journey - my philosophy is to get out and explore and have the best time doing it! Thank you for watching!

[@laurajames8071]

Your videos have been my solace this week.

[@janetknight9978]

What great finds!

[@rebeccafoster3570]

Love your treasures!!!!

[@billygraham8662]

Thank you for showing the little guys in there shells.

[@dianerichmond7105]

Catching up on all your great videos! Was happy to see you had a shell bag in this one! WOW, those helmets!!!!!!

[@koreanature]

Wow, My best friend, Wonderful video dear. I enjoyed watching. Hope to see you soon...

[@carolledger8047]

I love this episode! Very fun! Thank you! Safe travels! I'm so happy that you're taking us with you. 😃

[@gaylescovel7308]

Wowzers!!! I cant get over how many helmets you found! That dark one especially. Will be rewatching this episode tonite, 🥰

[@solaceinshelling6552]

Hi Gayle, thanks for watching - and here's to watching again(and again)! 😀

[@emaannayyer9026]

Beautiful helmets beautiful beach🩵🩵🩵

[@laurascherle930]

Lovely, thanks for taking us all.

[@katherinesills3852]

I really like your shelling adventures. Thank you so much for taking us along with you. I hope to visit all these wonderful places. I noticed that another sheller that I watch is watching your videos. How cool is that! Keep shelling and I will keep looking forward to your videos.🐚🦀

[@lorindadaugherty9210]

I so enjoy your shelling videos. Beautiful beach and some amazing shells! Thanks so much for sharing; esp nice for those of us unable to get to the beach at this time! 🥰

[@solaceinshelling6552]

Thank you so much for watching, I appreciate your viewership!

[@57sunflower]

I love to watch your beach adventures. Great day shelling! Thanks for taking us along.

[@solaceinshelling6552]

Hi Cheryl, thanks so much for watching the content!

[@nellyjune9828]

They are big and pretty😍 I wish my place also has big seashells like them

[@chinchujoseph9982]

The shells u found today were incredibly beautiful. You are so lucky to be able to go shelling to such beautiful beaches. So happy for you. And thankyou so much for these beautiful videos. 🤗

[@solaceinshelling6552]

Thank you my friend. I realize it's difficult for some to get to a beach to take it all in - I always keep this in mind when making content!

[@jmo2104]

Oh I love your videos

[@broganmacdonald7838]

oho yeah, I can tell i'm gonna like this channel a lot.

[@juliamaul7334]

Love that helmet.

[@Julianne955]

Wow! You take us to the most beautiful places and show us shells we've never seen before! Amazing finds! Thank you for sharing another great adventure! So much beauty!

[@solaceinshelling6552]

Thank you for the great feedback, and for watching my content!

[@sandyhairston3943]

Great video had my morn coffee to it

[@solaceinshelling6552]

☕ & 🐚

[@lisasparkman2924]

What a beautiful beach that was! It's mind-blowing to me that you were the only one there. Seems like nobody seems to go to the beach at these exotic locations you go. All the better for you though. Those shells were just outstanding. I love the music too my foot was tapping and I was kind of humming along and smiling at all the shelves it was very enjoyable.

[@solaceinshelling6552]

Hi friend! I am glad you liked the music - that's great feedback! When I do make a trip, I try my best to plan out my locations ahead of time and avoid crowded areas(of course that's not always possible). Many times it's trial and error however - I'll have to release an episode just of all the outtakes from searching for great places, equipments failing etc. haha! Thanks so much for watching!

[@lisasparkman2924]

@@solaceinshelling6552 that would make a great video too!

[@tinaharbit1806]

I’m intrigued by the splash of vibrant red color on the shells.

[@solaceinshelling6552]

Hello, I believe these are either "Forams" or "Coraline Algae" - very common to see in the Caribbean. Thanks for watching!

[@Sea-cucumber1151]

Yay you noticed the limpet!

[@leslyeschoenhuth1107]

* You should have a small plastic tub to keep your fragile finds from being damaged by your heavier finds.. Love the sea glass.. really nice..

[@graciehood2308]

Beautiful adventure with wonderful shells and sea glass love the sounds accompanied with music very calming

[@nadenabond3307]

Nice shells

[@m3rm4iiddeniiise5]

🥰 I’m from ponce Puerto Rico living in Florida i love 💕 your videos ✌🏼🧜🏻‍♀️🌊

[@solaceinshelling6552]

Thanks for watching - more coming from PR!

[@nenishere24]

Incredible finds! How beautiful that whole place is!

[@solaceinshelling6552]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@bobbilebo6519]

Thank you so very much for sharing your wonderful adventures with us 🙏🙏

[@SWFBeachLife]

Now all I want to do is go to PR and look for shells! Nice video as always 🐚

[@solaceinshelling6552]

Thanks so much for coming along! I always love seeing your comments!

[@helenfritzie]

Love all the beautiful shells! Those helmet shells are my new favorite, although I just really love them all! Some of those videos from Maine are so cool also with those Neptune shells! I especially love those with ridges and bumps or kind of frilly like the Murex shells! Just curious about some of these beaches in the Caribbean!? There is a lot of reddish spots on rocks and shells and was wondering what that may be!? Thanks for all the beautiful places you visit! Mother Nature is so awesome! Blessings!

[@solaceinshelling6552]

Hello! I believe the red blotches are organisms called coral forams - they seem to be present on many of the shells in the Caribbean, particularly in PR! Thanks for watching!

[@lindsayschilling8707]

I just discovered you & sub'd., and I am a crazed shell lover! The beaches you go to are beautiful as are the shells you find. You keep hunting and I'll keep watching. Many thanks, Sacramento, California.

[@solaceinshelling6552]

Thanks so much for watching, friend!

[@indyfan2056]

Love love love! The beautiful water, the shells!, and the music was just beautiful too. But the smile at the end really says it all

[@solaceinshelling6552]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@trudymcewen9801]

Hello from PA, USA. I love your seashell videos. I am a collector of seashells rare ones and all over the world but I have to buy them. I enjoy seeing where my seashells come from. I have quite an inventory with pictures for all of them. Keep the videos coming. I only found seashells in Galveston, TX and NC Outer Banks. Thank you. Trudy

[@solaceinshelling6552]

Hi Trudy! A seashell is a seashell, and I am sure you adore the treasures you have! I went to Galveston once when I was a child - the Texas coast is a beautiful place. I have also heard you can find some great treasures there! Thanks for watching!

[@nubybautista9814]

You even found found seaglass?!? Awesome

[@kathyjund7212]

The queen helmets were so exciting to see..and the reticulated both the good one and not..... shelltastic finds! Thank you!!!

[@solaceinshelling6552]

Thank you very much for watching! Someone actually pointed out that these are King Helmet shells, which makes sense since they are more endemic to the Caribbean region. Though I will say, a Helmet is a Helmet and they are all beautiful!

[@nancycross2228]

Beautiful beach ! Great shell pieces ! Thank you for sharing this wonderful trip !

[@solaceinshelling6552]

Thank you so much for watching Nancy!

[@joannechludzinski1805]

Such a relaxing video!

[@solaceinshelling6552]

Thank you so much for watching, friend!

[@patifagan6774]

Awesome

[@Sea-cucumber1151]

15:31 was another whole limpet! Wish I was there! Actually I see two now there…

[@chrisrinker9671]

crazy finds!!! i think the helmets you found might be king helmets

[@solaceinshelling6552]

I think you are absolutely correct! Not sure why I had it in my head that these were Queens. Thanks so much for watching my content!

[@dixiebrumagin6502]

what a wonderful selection of shells.

[@helenaxavier9356]

Eu amei

[@ChieColors]

Nice finds... Beautiful shells 🐚 🐚..I like shells🥰

[@diannpowell1077]

Just discovered and subscribed to your channel. I love that you post what each shell is! No one else seems to do that. So thank you so much for showing us.

[@solaceinshelling6552]

Hello friend! I have always tried to include nomenclature in the content since the beginning of my channel, but I have also seen some other similar channels begin to do this as well! 😀 Thanks for watching and for noticing the little things!

[@felixzapata1402]

WOW! Are these videos for real? I never knew there were so many names for these shells!...I don't know if it's the music or the scenery ... I watch...mesmerized ...

[@solaceinshelling6552]

Everything is real! Thank you for watching!

[@felixzapata1402]

@@solaceinshelling6552 Did not think you would reply; Thank You! Live along the southern OR coast and if you ever want to come shelling, you have a place to stay! Love the videos!

[@Sea-cucumber1151]

11: 11 you picked up the cockle right next to it was a limpet, I love them. A lot of people eat them, hard to get off rocks if alive. I just look for the shells!

[@MrsFazz68]

Absolutely stunning and that background music is sooooo relaxing, thank you xx

[@solaceinshelling6552]

I am glad you enjoyed the experience and thanks for watching!

[@debrakitson292]

Thank you for another beautiful video!!

[@peecesstamz4946]

thank you so much for your calming beach shelling videos! they are so fun to watch.

[@solaceinshelling6552]

Thank you for watching!

[@kathycox6420]

Beautiful beach, beautiful shells, but mostly how beautiful was that solitude! What an awesome shelling trip!

[@solaceinshelling6552]

Hello! Thanks so much for watching and glad you enjoyed!

[@janetpullen5210]

Oh, the beauty of the place, the gorgeous shells, the wonderful music. I would love to explore that beach. They r so plentiful aah you all do such a great job

[@solaceinshelling6552]

Thank you for watching!

[@cinthiakyser7463]

Your video s are so cool. Thanks for taking me places I could only dream of going.

[@solaceinshelling6552]

Thank you so much for watching, friend!

[@jmo2104]

What are the red dots everywhere that look like blood droplets? I like that you pick up even broken shells and see the beauty in them.

[@dianebirky5914]

Wow Thank you…Awesome finds, Beautiful!!!

[@solaceinshelling6552]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@Little.Joyful.Thingz]

Amazing finds!!! Such gorgeous shelling adventure this was! You missed another helmet I believe at 14:39 by the rock on the right. I hope you picked it up! Thank you for sharing your shelling videos and I just wanted to tell you that my 5 year old also loves watching your shelling videos. He gets amazed, as much as me! 🤗

[@solaceinshelling6552]

Hello! I actually did pick that Helmet up! I put some of the first Helmets I found back because I found others that were in much better condition. I love that your young one enjoys watching as well - my love for the ocean started when my parents took me to the beach at a young age! It's a wonderful thing!

[@Little.Joyful.Thingz]

@@solaceinshelling6552 Hello friend, I am glad to know you were introduced to the ocean and its wonders at a young age. I am trying to do the same for my baby. Its a bliss to stay connected with nature and its offerings. Thank you once again for taking us along on your shelling journey. Looking forward to your next shelling video! :)

[@Sea-cucumber1151]

14:50 looked like an old helmet maybe by the rocks. Some of the really olds can be fossils.

[@brobella2165]

Nice finds

[@solaceinshelling6552]

Hello! thank you for watching! 😂

[@nancycross2228]

Absolutely Stunning shells ! Looks like I watched this a Year ago ! Still just an amazing trip. Have you visited Australia ? I bought home shells..cuz they were pretty ! Way before the shelling bug bit ! Love these videos ! Thank you !!

[@solaceinshelling6552]

Hello friend! It's so much fun, you had to watch again, haha! I have not visited Australia...yet(that's a huge trip). I do hope to get to over to the Indo-Pacific region someday soon - just have to plan ahead for that trip! Thanks for watching(again) 😊

[@ivicxii]

I’ve got a orange and white helmet

[@carrieh22]

Your videos are so relaxing yet exciting and informative! Thank you! Also, do you mind sharing what zippered shell bag do you use? It look sturdy! Thanks again for sharing!

[@solaceinshelling6552]

Hi, thank you so much for the great feedback! The bag was a gift from a close friend of mine - I'll be sharing some info on the bag and the person who makes them in an upcoming video! 😀

[@carrieh22]

@@solaceinshelling6552 Oh how nice! Love that and would love to support someone making them! Look forward to the video and future shelling! I’m binging your channel as we speak 😊

[@rajannischal7091]

I’m a fan too, thanks for bringing the shells and beaches to us. Thanks for sharing what equipment you use. Haven’t been able to go to the beach for a year now. Looking forward to our trip in a couple weeks. Would you mind sharing what bag you use, please? Or details on where to buy one from your source? I couldn’t find the video you reference. Thanks again…..

[@douglasstemke2444]

Nice video. Not to be too nerdy about this but @2:52 Not a Yellow Cowrie, a Grey Cowrie, Cypraea (Luria) cinerea and I believe your 'Queen Hemets' are actually King Helmets, Cassis tuberosa

[@solaceinshelling6552]

Hello friend, thank you for the valuable feedback! Someone else mentioned about the King Helmets as well a few days ago. I am not sure why I thought they were Queen helmets, as I believe Queens aren't native to tropical regions? I sometimes get the small cowries confused because they tend to look awful similar when there is some wear on them. If you have any tips here, I'd very much appreciate! Thanks for watching!

[@douglasstemke2444]

@@solaceinshelling6552 Hi again from the home of cowrie geek-dom. Heavily eroded cowries can be hard to id. Cypraea (Erosaria) acicularis is a flatter cowrie with usually pretty thick margins whereas the Grey cowrie is more uniformly inflated and more generally oval and obviously in nice specimens is usually grey. Love the videos; wish I could be out there as well instead of grading biology exams!

[@charlottechagnon9896]

Thank you for sharing your incredible shelling adventures! Love each and every one. This is a lovely beach. Makes the Pieces in me yearn for the sea. Is your dod an Akita?

[@solaceinshelling6552]

Hi friend! Yes my dog is an Akita :) Thanks so much for watching and hope you'll continue to watch in the future!

[@carolcheatle1955]

I wish I would have gone to a beach a few years ago when I was on a cruise. Would have loved to find any shells. Going on a cruise in December hoping to find some. I'm land locked in Pa.

[@solaceinshelling6552]

Hello friend, thank you very much for watching. I wish you the best of luck on your future shelling journey!

[@Sea-cucumber1151]

17:08 was a purple urchin with its thingies still on it! Lol can’t remember what it’s called.

[@Sea-cucumber1151]

Always be slow to pick up the crown cones, I found one once in the ocean in Hawaii, and picked up slowly; thankfully it was empty. They are venomous and can kill a human!

[@thedrunkenmermaid1829]

Great video. Have you ever thought about going live during any of your trips?

[@solaceinshelling6552]

Hello! I have thought about this before - I'd love to do it sometime in the near future!

[@joycejudge8942]

Gorgeous!! Do you clean your shells with acid?

[@solaceinshelling6552]

Hi friend! I do sometimes yes! I will actually be featuring a video soon where I will go through some of my Caribbean shells to ID them and clean them up with some acid - stay tuned!

[@bagel4944]

7:35 aww missed a bubble

[@solaceinshelling6552]

Hello friend! I went back to watch - you are indeed correct! haha

[@lynnmonk7326]

What are your favorite beach/shelling shoes??

[@suelamkin3004]

What is the source of the red spots seen on the shells found here? It’s a beautiful place.

[@solaceinshelling6552]

Hello, I believe this spots are some type of algae, possibly coralline algae! Thanks for watching!

[@ginahorton7105]

Wish they had shells like that in Australia :(😎😎😎😎

[@solaceinshelling6552]

Hi friend! I think they have some pretty awesome(and different) shells down under! @shellcadeshellingdownunder might be able to show you some adventures where's they're from! Thanks for watching my content!

[@gaylescovel7308]

Got a question Mr Solace. All those stones with the holes are coral? I have recently learned about hag stones n i swear i kept seeing them, lol. Also, what are the red splotches i have seen on some of the shells? Especially on the turbins. Are they attached sea life (cant think of the name atm)?

[@solaceinshelling6552]

I am not entirely sure on the porous stones - though I would presume most are bits or coral or limestone. The red splotches on the shells and rocks are called "Forams" - they are single celled organisms that attach themselves to shells and rocks and can be found commonly throughout the Caribbean.

[@gaylescovel7308]

@@solaceinshelling6552 , forams is new to me, lol. N i still cant think of the word i' missing. Thankyou answering ❣

[@bigreenize]

The red blotches certainly caught my eye. Looked like a crime scene and I was wondering if that’s why nobody else was there! 😂

[@gaylescovel7308]

@@bigreenize , too funny, 😆

[@dianeburton9969]

A little CLR on those helmets and they will be a totally different shell.

[@solaceinshelling6552]

Hi Diane, stay tuned - I will be doing a second "clean up" video for some of the shells I have collected this past year! Thanks for watching!

[@tinaprins244]

Any issues taking shells from PR? I know Anguilla and St Martin have some rules.

[@solaceinshelling6552]

I can only speak to my experience, but I have never had an issue bringing a few shells back in my suitcase. With that said, I always check into the local laws and regulations if I am traveling abroad and plan to shell! Thanks so much for watching!

[@loki967]

are you allowed to take home the shells?

[@solaceinshelling6552]

Yes! Did not have any problem at all taking them home in suitcase!

[@bethwarden4144]

Whew, the photography got me a little dizzy.

[@ivicxii]

i don’t know if it’s a juvenile one or not

[@jeanettewestgarth8271]

I'm new to the site and am finding it very enjoyable but there are a lot of shells that you are not naming

[@solaceinshelling6552]

Hi Jeanette! I try to provide the names for all individual species found, but may not provide name if the shell appears already once in the episode - thanks for the good feedback though!

[@helgavoorneveld1530]

Why don't we see Yuri at the beach with you? He's so handsome 🥰

[@solaceinshelling6552]

Hello friend! Yuki lives with me in NYC, so I wasn't able to take her here to Puerto Rico. I do take her along as often as I can, when possible! Thanks for watching!

[@cathyscism1817]

Could you please find me a queen helmet? I will be very much great ful?

[@lisaloy2011]

You don't go into the water much

[@pamdennis1007]

My thing is, leave no shell behind. Just saying.

[@a.j.dickey5167]

Please if you show the ocean please don't play music. The ocean sound is better and that is half the reason you go to the beach.