Beachcombing is a fascination for all ages. It can be a great source of enjoyment and a way to find precious keepsakes of your trip to the beach or even larger pieces with which you may decorate your home. Following are some tips gleaned from a variety of expert sources.

• Be safe. Read our guidelines for Oregon beach safety. View our Beach Safety page.
• Start early in the morning if you want to beat other beachcombers to the finds.
• Get a tide table chart. They are available from some Garibaldi charter companies, merchants and city offices. Or go to the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) website: Visit Website
• Beachcombing is especially good after a winter storm and when the tide is low. The months of October through April are excellent.
• Dig at the water’s edge. You may even wish to bring along a small shovel and rake.
• Move slowly as you search.
• Leave the wildlife alone.
• Shells that you find can be kept in nylon mesh or plastic bags. Wash them when you get home and polish agates you find to bring out their color.
• Bring along a garbage bag and puck up litter you encounter.

Metal Detectors

If you decide to invest in a metal detector, here are some tips from Treasure Facts magazine: Find the high tide mark and the low tide mark, then identify the middle section between these tide marks and draw a mental line down the center of the beach. Your search zone should be 10 to 12 feet on each side of this imaginary line. Start a zigzag search pattern, walking up the beach with your metal detector, then back.