The 15 Best Beaches for Seashell Seekers Worldwide

Passionate shell collectors know that not every beach is able to produce an exceptional haul. Those beachcombers seeking the most satisfying shell hunting experience need not look any further than these 15 beaches.

Galveston Island stretches more than 30 miles so there are a ton of opportunities to find the perfect seashell. Sea Shell Beach Pocket Park is an excellent starting point and visitors will want to leave themselves plenty of time to scour the island's western end.

Florida's Sanibel Island is routinely ranked as the world's best destination for shells and for good reason. Don't be surprised to find fellow beachgoers doing the "Sanibel Stoop" in search of perfectly intact conchs, whelks, scallops and clam shells.

As if Eleuthera Island's gorgeous pink and white sand beaches weren't intoxicating enough, they also possess a wide array of shells that beachcombers can examine from the beach or the sea.

Visitors to North Carolina's Outer Banks will find countless souvenirs on Ocracoke Island, which is home to a variety of rare shells, including three different kinds of whelks.

The powerful Pacific Ocean is not kind to shells but Bandon, Oregon is one of the rare exceptions. Winter storms have been known to wash up Japanese glass fishing floats and even semi-precious stones on some occasions.

Kauai's Tunnels Beach features lots of small, colorful shells that many locals use to craft necklaces. Also a phenomenal spot for snorkeling and diving, Tunnels offers much more below the surface, as does Kauai as a whole.

If you prefer to explore the beach in peace, Georgia's Cumberland Island National Seashore is for you. There are 17 miles of pristine coast to navigate here and there's a good chance you'll be the first to touch many of the shells.

Located north of San Francisco, Stinson Beach spans over three miles and is one of the few spots on the West Coast where you can find sand dollars. Begin your search at low tide for the best shot at a memorable find and be sure to check out Bolinas Lagoon.

Located in southern Maryland on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay, Calvert Cliffs State Park boasts a plethora of fossils from the Miocene era (10 to 20 million years ago), including numerous shark teeth. Visitors can conveniently access the quarter-mile stretch of beach via the 1.8-mile Red Trail.

Shell collectors love Jeffreys Bay, South Africa as it never runs out of new discoveries. Plan your trip during the winter season (June to August) for the best quality and quantity of shells.

This remote beach on Lanai's north shore is a dream setting for beachcombers as it offers not only a slew of seashells but rocks and other interesting pieces of debris brought into shore by strong winds and waves.

Shell Beach is located in the Shark Bay region of Western Australia and is named for the countless cockle shells that line the shore and stack up to a depth of approximately 33 feet in some parts.

Beautiful Somerset Creek Beach can be found on Andros Island in the Bahamas. The mile-plus-long beach is home to millions of shells, many of which bear a close resemblance to the sunset.

Exotic sea shells await visitors to England's Barricane Beach. Despite having had quite the journey from the Caribbean and across the Atlantic Ocean, many of these shells arrive on the North Devon coast with very few blemishes.

Like Australia's Shell Beach, Shell Beach in St. Barts was named for the thousands of shells found here. Although shells aren't quite as plentiful on this quiet beach as they once were, visitors will still have ample opportunities to uncover something special.