Beaches & Shelling
The 26 miles of natural beaches along the Creole Nature Trail are largely undeveloped and easily accessible, providing an excellent opportunity for a wide range of water and beach activities from swimming and tubing to surf fishing, birding, sunbathing and not to forget the family favourite shelling!
When and where to Shell?
Shelling is generally best at low tide or up to 48 hours after rough weather has sent waves crashing on to the shore.
All the beaches along the Creole Nature Trail provide great shelling opportunities but Rutherford Beach n eastern Cameron Parish, and the smaller beaches to the west of Holly Beach, are usually the best as they are the least inhabited. Be sure to look for shells both where the waves are hitting the shore, as well as where they hit the shore at high tide. Often called the ‘trash line’, the gulf leaves its treasures behind as the high tide slowly recedes.
