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Treasure Hunting on Folly Beach

April 30, 2019 by Gwen Leave a Comment

Updated on June 16th, 2021

Beachcombing is a favorite vacation pastime of mine but Andy doesn’t have the patience.  He loses interest after about 30 minutes while I could spend hours.  This year I took a solo trip to South Carolina which meant that I spent a good deal of time treasure hunting on Folly Beach.  The best part about Folly Beach is that every day washes up something different and there are miles of beach to explore.

Where to Hunt for Treasures

  • The Folly Beach Pier
  • The view from under the Folly Beach Pier

The further from the pier and downtown you are the better chances you have of finding “the good stuff”.  The middle area of the island is the most popular with beach goers so that means the most competition for the best finds!  The further north or south you go the better the combing.

I particularly like the North End of the beach because you can walk with views of the Morris Island Lighthouse and the sand dunes are beautiful at that end.  

  • Morris Island Lighthouse Viewed from Folly Beach
  • Many wooden pilings leading toward the sand dunes

When to Hunt for Treasures

Low tide is the best time to hunt for treasures on Folly Beach.  This is especially true if you are after the big finds like conch/whelk shells or starfish.  These are typically at the lowest tide line. Just be careful that those shells are empty of their previous occupants!  For one thing no shell is worth killing an innocent creature, but also, it will stink to high heaven if you bring it home.

Receding (when the tide is on its way out) tide is also a good time because as the water gets lower it will uncover treasures that are just below the sands surface.  This is great for uncovering sand dollars. Again, if it’s living (grayish in color) leave it alone. If it’s white it’s alright to pick up.

Barnacle covered pilings at low tide on Folly Beach

Early in the morning is probably the best time to go for a walk on the beach.  Folly Beach can be a pretty rowdy town on the weekends so if you get up and go for a walk while most people are nursing their hangovers, you’ll have the beach to yourself.  If early morning and low tide coincide, you are in for a treat with how much you can find!

You’ll also see people out on the beach at night with flashlight searching the sand.  They are likely looking for sharks teeth. Because sharks teeth are jet black and they shine in light, some people think that it’s easier to spot them at night.  I haven’t had much luck with this method and have had an easier time finding them during the day.

What Can You Find?

Sand Dollars

Gwen Finding a Sand Dollar on Morris Island

I spent three full days this trip looking for a full sand dollar.  Just when I was about to admit defeat, we took a boat tour with Absolute Reel Screamer Charters.  We went to Morris Island and there, just as we were about to head back to the boat, was a full sand dollar.  If you want to see my reaction check out our Folly Beach Sand Dollar Video.

Sharks Teeth

Folly Beach is one of the best beaches on the east coast to search for sharks teeth.  You will find ones smaller than your pinky nail or almost as big as your hand. I haven’t been lucky enough, but there are even Mastodon teeth that occasionally wash up.

Conch/Whelk Shells

Even after a significant amount of time trying to figure it out on the Google, I cannot tell you the difference between a conch or whelk.  I’m going to go with conch. Most of the conch I have found on Folly Beach have been occupied, but I did snag a beautiful blue gray one two years ago.  Surprisingly it was really close to the pier!

Star Fish

Starfish on Folly Beach Sand

Star fish are most likely found in tidal pools.  If they are alive, you can gentle touch them, but let them be if they are moving.  If they are already dead you can take them and dry them in the sun to preserve them.  Fair warning, they will likely stink.

Sea Glass

Most of the sea glass on Folly Beach really isn’t that sea glassy.  It’s more like just broken glass. However, it does come in some interesting colors and we’ve found and heard of others finding some civil war era bottles along the shores.

Sea Cucumbers

Depending on conditions and the time of year you may find the tidal pools full of little sea cucumbers.  I have always been fascinated by sea cucumbers so seeing hundreds of tiny ones in the tidal pools was really cool.  Did you know that sea cucumbers breathe through their butts? This fact brought to you by elementary school aquarium field trips.

Treasure hunting on Folly Beach is a lot of fun, as long as you are conscientious to the wildlife and your fellow beach goers.  What is your favorite thing to do on a beach vacation? Let us know in the comments!

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