Where to Find Shells and Sea Glass in Virginia Beach

Hoping to go shelling while in Virginia Beach? You’re in luck; many of our lesser-known shorelines are prime locations for picking. Spot shells and sea glass, sand dollars and shark teeth as you stroll along some of the best beaches in Virginia Beach.

To have your best shot at finding these ocean treasures, ditch the Virginia Beach Oceanfront and venture to the quieter parts of town. There, the sand is less disturbed, leaving treasures to sit upon the golden shoreline rather than sinking below.

Types of Shells to Find in Virginia Beach

Whelks

If you spot a larger shell in Virginia Beach, there’s a good chance it’s a whelk. There are a few different types of whelks in town, like knobbed, channeled and lightning whelks, each spiraled and stunning in its own right.

Olive Shells

Olive shells are cute little elongated spirals, and there are primarily two kinds of olive shells you may spot. First, there’s the lettered olive. These can be as large as two or three inches, but they generally like warmer water than Virginia Beach can provide. You can still find them occasionally, but odds are, you’ll find its smaller variant, the dwarf olive. Just as charming in its ½-inch size, these little shells can be spotted in Sandbridge.

Moon Snail Shells

If you’re shelling in Virginia Beach after a storm, there’s a good chance you’ll find some moon snail shells. When alive, these swirling mollusks dive a few inches below the sand’s surface to find food, so they’re near impossible to find without digging when conditions are calm. But when a big storm arrives, the left-behind shells – and the live creatures – get dragged up to the surface.

Sand Dollars

Sand dollars are rare, but not impossible to find in Virginia Beach. But be sure to only pick up white sand dollars, not purple or brown-ish ones. White sand dollars are actually the dead endoskeleton of a type of sea urchin. The purple and brown ones are sand dollars that are still alive – you might even see the little cilia (the little hairs) moving around. Let those ones be.

Shark Teeth

Like sand dollars, shark teeth aren’t technically shells, but they’re just as fun to find when beachcombing. There are both newer, white shark teeth, as well as black shark teeth that are so old that they’re technically fossils. No matter the color, the teeth are roughly triangular and often have a root at the base of the tooth that’s a slightly different color and texture from the rest of it.

When to Go Beachcombing and Shelling in Virginia Beach

By far, the best time to go beachcombing in Virginia Beach is after a storm. More shells than usual are pulled in by the waves, and even the treasures hiding in the sand might get shifted to the top with all of the movement. Bad weather isn’t always a bad thing when it comes to shelling.

If there isn’t a storm in your future, you still have some luck on your side. In these cases, low tide is your best friend. Head out about an hour before so that way you get the first look at what the retreating tide reveals.

The Best Places to Find Shells and Sea Glass in Virginia Beach

Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge

The first stop you should make on your Virginia Beach shelling adventure is Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, specifically the Atlantic Ocean side. There, you’ll have a good chance of spotting those spiraled whelks, as well as tiny coquina shells and weathered sea glass pieces. 

However, it’s important to note that you can only take shells from this wildlife refuge. So if you see any sea glass – or shark teeth or sand dollars – you’ll have to enjoy them while you’re on the beach, but leave them behind.

False Cape State Park

To get to False Cape State Park, another incredible shelling destination, you’ll have to travel through Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, so it’s almost like a two-for-one beachcombing adventure. Just be sure to park your car at the wildlife refuge before continuing on by foot or bike into False Cape State Park.

Since it takes some added effort to get to False Cape, fewer people do it, so more shells are left on the shoreline. Keep an eye out for moon shells, whelks and sand dollars.

Sandbridge Beach

There’s no doubt that Sandbridge Beach is one of the best beaches for beachcombing in the region. While you may be tempted to stick to the middle of the beach, lots of other people will have the same idea too. Instead, head either way north or way south. That’s where you’ll find whelks, olive shells, moon snails, sand dollars and more.

Chic’s Beach

Odds are, you won’t find a ton of shells in Chic’s Beach, located in Chesapeake Bay. But it is a hotspot for shark’s teeth and sea glass, if those are your preferred beachcombing finds. The stretch of sand in front of Buoy 44 Seafood Grill tends to be the best on the beach for gathering these treasures.

Eastern Shore

While shelling within the city of Virginia Beach can be great, shelling on the Eastern Shore is epic. As a matter of fact, it may be some of the best on the entire East Coast.

Located just on the other side of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, the region is brimming with shells, shark teeth, sea glass and more. Kiptopeke State Park is one of the closest spots to park yourself for a day of beachcombing, though there are many other spots on the peninsula and its surrounding barrier islands that are prime for picking.

Tips for Finding Shells and Seaglass in Virginia Beach

Check that the shells are empty

First and foremost, you want to make sure that you’re not taking any living creatures from their homes on the beach. You can usually peek in and see something squidgy, or other times you’ll feel resistance when lifting the shell off of the sand. If you do find an animal still living inside, gently place the shell back where you found it.

And remember, the same goes for sand dollars too. White sand dollars only! If you pick up a live brown or purple one, it just might stain your hands with a yellow pigment to let you know that it’s still kickin’!

Check the high tide line

Although low tide is the best time to shell, you may spot some finds along the high tide debris line as well. That little path of driftwood, seaweed and sand often has shells and shark teeth hidden in the nooks and crannies.

Trek to the quieter parts of the beach

The most straightforward way to give yourself a leg up when beachcombing is to go where no one else does. If you don’t know the area all that well, the best way to do that is by trekking away from the beach’s public access points. There, you’ll find sections of shoreline that haven’t been picked through, so your chances of finding your dream shell or sea glass piece will be much higher.

Make sure that your sea glass is ready for picking

It can be tempting to take home pieces of sea glass when they’re still rather sharp and transparent. But the real joy is when you find gems that have been weathered for decades, the salt and sand softening the once-jagged edges and turning the glass opaque. If you find a glass piece that’s not quite ready, toss it back into the ocean and leave it for someone else to find a few years down the road.

Take your time

It can be thrilling to find shells, sea glass and shark teeth quickly, but that’s often not the reality of beachcombing and finding shells in Virginia Beach. Be prepared to take your time – to walk further down the beach and slowly meander your way along the tidelines. Patience is often the key to finding the gems that others may have missed.