EXPERIENCE > YOUTH ACTIVITIES
Beachcombing — which involves searching a beach for items of value or interest — can be a very casual activity or a very serious one depending on the person. It is differentiated from tidepooling in that beachcombing refers to the exploration of the mostly dry areas of the beach.
Most of us beachcomb naturally because the waves are always depositing curious items on the sand and rocks. Some serious treasure hunters may also comb beaches looking for valuable items, often using technology like metal-detectors. Others may not be collecting anything of value, but rather removing debris and trash as part of an organized beach cleanup. Whatever your reason for being there, beaches are some of the most fascinating places on the Oregon Coast because they constantly change — reshaped by wind, waves and weather.
Beachcombing — which involves searching a beach for items of value or interest — can be a very casual activity or a very serious one depending on the person. It is differentiated from tidepooling in that beachcombing refers to the exploration of the mostly dry areas of the beach.
Most of us beachcomb naturally because the waves are always depositing curious items on the sand and rocks. Some serious treasure hunters may also comb beaches looking for valuable items, often using technology like metal-detectors. Others may not be collecting anything of value, but rather removing debris and trash as part of an organized beach cleanup. Whatever your reason for being there, beaches are some of the most fascinating places on the Oregon Coast because they constantly change — reshaped by wind, waves and weather.
Every year, millions of animals are killed or injured when they ingest or become entangled in human-created marine debris. The most prevalent and dangerous forms of this debris are plastics and lost or discarded fishing nets and gear. When you beachcomb, consider taking along a spare bag so you can collect any garbage you find as you explore. Some other common examples of marine and beach debris as shown below. |
Tips for Beachcombing:
As with most outdoor activities, successful beachcombing is 99% preparation. Follow these tips to get ready for your beachcombing experience.
- Review: Read the Oceanscape Network's Water and Beach Safety, Outdoor Safety and Outdoor Etiquette features. Because beachcombing may also bring you into contact with a variety of wild animals, it is a good idea to look over our Encountering Wildlife feature as well. Remember, it is often illegal and unsafe to approach or disturb wild animals found on beaches.
- Research: Different beaches may require different types of clothing and gear. Research the beach you plan to visit. Is the beach sandy or rocky? Will the weather be cold and rainy, or warm and sunny during your visit? What time will the tide be coming in? As a general rule, beachcombing is better after a storm, during the incoming tide and early in the morning.
- Gather your gear. As with hiking, it's always a good idea to take drinking water, food and protective clothing. Since beachcombing is also about finding and collecting treasures, you might want to bring a reusable bag, a small trowel or even a metal detector if you're looking for objects like coins. Be certain to take a camera as well — as it's always better to take pictures than objects.
- Explore. The fun of beachcombing is you don't know what you'll find. Sometimes the currents can bring treasures from clear across the sea and deposit them at your feet. For the most part, it's perfectly legal to collect these items. Shells, driftwood, coins, feathers, seaweed, etc. are common, naturally-occurring and generally safe objects to collect. However, some things that wash up on beaches are potentially dangerous including jellies, dead or dying animals, medical waste, broken glass and sharp or rusted metal objects. Other objects are illegal to collect under certain circumstances — such as fossils — so check your local laws before gathering these items.
Commonly Found Beach Items:
Below is a short list of items commonly found by beachcombers. Please be aware that some of these items (marked with a red symbol) are harmful to you and should not be touched. Others are harmful to the ocean environment (marked with a green symbol) and should be removed if you can do so safely.
Features Related to Beachcombing:
Water and Beach Safety: On the Oregon Coast, the water takes causes more injuries and takes more lives than any other force of nature. Even if you're just spending some time wandering on the beach, read over these safety tips before you head out.
Outdoor Etiquette: Manners count, even outdoors. Here are the Oceanscape Network's guidelines to help you observe and maintain good stewardship practices when enjoying nature.
Outdoor Safety: Heading outdoors can be rewarding on so many levels, but it also involves a number of variables and risk factors you need to consider first. This feature offers some valuable tips to help keep you safe.
Youth Activities: Fossil Hunting: Remnants from Oregon's prehistoric past can be found lying on many of our public beaches.
Youth Activities: Tidepooling: An adventure into a weird and wonderful marine realm is as close as the beach. Go tide pooling!
Youth Activities: Treasure Hunting: Treasure hunting has many forms, from metal detecting to finding fossils.
Outdoor Etiquette: Manners count, even outdoors. Here are the Oceanscape Network's guidelines to help you observe and maintain good stewardship practices when enjoying nature.
Outdoor Safety: Heading outdoors can be rewarding on so many levels, but it also involves a number of variables and risk factors you need to consider first. This feature offers some valuable tips to help keep you safe.
Youth Activities: Fossil Hunting: Remnants from Oregon's prehistoric past can be found lying on many of our public beaches.
Youth Activities: Tidepooling: An adventure into a weird and wonderful marine realm is as close as the beach. Go tide pooling!
Youth Activities: Treasure Hunting: Treasure hunting has many forms, from metal detecting to finding fossils.