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10 Best U.S. Shelling Beaches

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Photo: Rosemoon Mecho

Ocracoke Island, NC

Why Go: The island attracts only those willing to drive the length of North Carolina’s Outer Banks, so Ocracoke’s wild and unsullied beaches are sparsely populated, even at the height of summer. (Schedule a spring or fall visit and you’ll have the beach and its bounty to yourself.) At North Point, you’ll find everything from tiny, butterfly-like coquinas to Scotch bonnets. Go mornings after big squalls—especially nor’easters—for the most exciting finds.

What You’ll Find: Olives, sand dollars, whelks, baby’s ears, and cowry helmets.

—Kathryn O’Shea-Evans

10 Best U.S. Shelling Beaches

2 of 11

Travel + Leisure

10 Best U.S. Shelling Beaches

Ocracoke Island, NC

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