A collection of the most interesting objects I came across on the beach this year. I live close enough to walk to the beach, so I spend a lot of time wandering the shoreline and beachcombing for shells, sea glass, driftwood, and other interesting finds. Along the way I always end up spotting odd and unexpected objects mixed in with the sand and seaweed. Some of them are funny, some feel a little strange, and some are just plain puzzling, but they all make me pause and look twice. I started photographing these unusual beach finds last year (click here to see last year’s post) as a way to document them and remind myself of the stories they might carry. It always makes me wonder where each item came from. Was it left behind after a day at the beach, carried in by the waves from somewhere far away, or pulled out to sea during a storm and returned again? I will probably never know, but the mystery is part of why I love noticing and capturing them. Here are some interesting found objects from my walks on the beach over the past year. My Strangest Beachcombing Finds of 2025 I’ve never found a propeller on the beach before, so this one definitely made the my of strangest things I came across while beachcombing this year. Maybe it came from a small watercraft, although I’d hope they usually use metal instead of plastic. This was probably my weirdest find of the year, a dinosaur mask washed in with the tide. I can’t imagine the story behind how it ended up in the ocean in the first place. This was a new one for me, a lightbulb on the beach. I can’t help wondering about its story and how it ended up here, whether from careless dumping or from storm damage somewhere along the coast. I’m surprised the bulb wasn’t broken even though it looks like it’s been in the water a while. I had no idea what this was at first and ended up doing an image search. I wondered if it was some kind of deep-sea plant, but it turns out it’s an Osage orange (also called a hedge apple) that actually grows on trees, not in the ocean. How it wound up washed onto the beach is still a mystery, especially since I’ve never seen them growing anywhere around here. Related: Best of Beachcombing: My Favorite Shells, Sea Glass, and Beach Pottery Finds I did a little research and learned this is a Big Turbo Wheels police truck. I found it in winter, so it had probably been in the water for quite a while before washing ashore. Finding a ball on the beach isn’t unusual. Finding this many in one day is. These four were part of at least thirty sports balls washed up in just the small stretch of beach I walked that day. I still can’t make sense of why so many appeared at once. I found a shocking number of plastic Easter eggs again this year. I’m not sure how they all end up in the ocean, but seeing so many washed up has completely changed how I think about them. Related: 6 Beautiful Beach Sunset Color Palettes This baseball cap brim really took me by surprise. I often see forgotten clothing and stray shoes on the beach, but never just a brim. It must have been in the water a long time for it to separate from the rest of the hat. I really enjoyed gathering these unusual beach finds over the past year. Whenever something unexpected caught my eye while I was walking, I snapped a photo and saved it for this project. I ended up with far more than I could reasonably include here, so this is just a selection of some favorites. I also take part in several organized beach cleanups each year and do many on my own, so a lot of the objects you see in these photos were removed from the shoreline rather than left behind. All photos in this blog post are my original photography. Feel free to repost them uncropped, but please credit me with a link back to this blog. Thank you! Save This Beachcombing Photography of Unusual Found Objects Pin this graphic on Pinterest, or bookmark this page, so you can continue to refer back to the photographs in this collection of unusual beachcombing finds. And don’t forget to follow Stars & Anchor on Pinterest and on Instagram for more coastal lifestyle and beach inspiration. Photography: The strangest things I found while beachcombing in 2025 Have you found an unusual object on the beach? Share your strangest beachcombing finds in the comments.

Photo © Stars & Anchor An introduction to the world of beachcombing. Table of Contents: I’ve lived in coastal areas all of my life, so I’ve been beachcombing practically since I could walk. It’s always been one of my favorite activities. Here I’m answering some common questions like, “what is beachcombing?” and “what is a beachcomber?” I’m also sharing important tips for responsible beachcombing and shelling, and a bit about my personal beachcombing philosophy and what I do with my beachcombing finds. What is beachcombing? First of all, what is beachcombing? Beachcombing means searching (“combing”) and exploring the intertidal zone of the beach to see what natural and man-made objects of interest you can discover. The intertidal zone is the area of the shoreline between where the water peaks at high tide and where it reaches at low tide. You can even make discoveries higher up on the dry sand, though less frequently. You can enjoy discovering things while beachcombing without necessarily needing to take anything. The fun is in the search and in learning about the coastline and its many creatures. What can you find while beachcombing? Some common items to find while beachcombing are seashells, rocks, seaweed, mermaid’s purses (the egg cases of skates and rays), crabs, jellyfish, driftwood, snails, sea glass, sea sponges, fossils, and manmade debris. You can see the most interesting manmade items I found while beachcombing last year in this post. Photo © Stars & Anchor Why do people like beachcombing? Beachcombing combines relaxation, exploration, and discovery in an enjoyable way. The thrill of searching for unique finds while enjoying the sights and sounds of the beach, like the peaceful rhythm of the waves, makes it a perfect activity for unwinding and satisfying curiosity. Beachcombing also offers a connection to nature, the ocean, and a way to learn more about marine life and coastal ecosystems. Beachcombing appeals to many people, being perfect for going on adventures solo or taking group walks. Its universal appeal lies in being equally engaging for kids and adults, making it a way to have family-friendly fun for all ages. What is a beachcomber? Now that you know what beachcombing is, you can probably guess that a beachcomber is someone who goes beachcombing, meaning a person who walks along the beach looking for interesting and unique items. You can be a casual beachcomber, such as someone who decides to look at what the sea is washing onto the shore while on a beach vacation, or you can be a dedicated beachcomber, such as someone who is passionate about discovering and learning about what’s on the beach and does so frequently. Beachcombing can be a fun and inexpensive hobby for anyone who lives near the coast. It’s an activity enjoyed by families, nature enthusiasts, retirees, and collectors, making it an appealing hobby for all ages, as anyone can be a beachcomber, young or old. What is the difference between beachcombing and shelling? Beachcombing and shelling are similar beach activities. Beachcombing is a broader activity that involves searching the shoreline for numerous items including shells, rocks, driftwood, sea glass, and other natural or manmade items, whereas shelling is a specific type of beachcombing that focuses exclusively on looking for seashells. Beachcombing attracts people who appreciate the diversity of what they’ll find along the shoreline, and shelling attracts shell enthusiasts who appreciate the beauty and variety of shells. Related: 21 Expert Tips for Shelling in Florida Photo © Stars & Anchor Tips for responsible beachcombing and shelling A little about my beachcombing philosophy and what I do with my finds Even though I’m a frequent beachcomber, I leave behind the majority of cool things that I find. I frequently take pictures of items I come across and like, but leave them on the beach. This is because I try to be conscious of maintaining the beach ecosystem, and not taking excessively. I’m more likely to take sea glass and beach pottery since these are man-made items that don’t naturally exist at the beach, and are actually litter, even though they’re desirable to beachcombers like me! I’m more likely to leave shells, driftwood, and rocks, because they naturally belong there, and shells can serve as homes for sea creatures like hermit crabs.  Sometimes, I’ll take home shells or other natural finds so I can research and identify them, photograph them, and then return them to the beach. I like learning about them and cataloging them with a photograph, but don’t have the space or desire to store so many items in my home indefinitely. Living in walking distance to the beach makes this an easy process. Of course, any shell I take is first thoroughly checked to be sure it’s empty without any creatures inside. I keep some items if a shell or rock feels really special to me. I’m trying to have one really good example of every kind of shell on the beach, so I’m constantly swapping them out if I find a better one. I use some of my beachcombing discoveries as coastal decor around my beach house. I try to do this in moderation, which still feels like plenty because deciding to keep a few special shells here and there adds up over a lifetime of beachcombing. If I ever decide I don’t want something anymore, I return it to the beach instead of putting it in the trash or storing it hidden away where it won’t be enjoyed.  I believe you can have fun beachcombing and enjoying some of your finds while being respectful to coastal wildlife, the beach environment and ecosystem. Related: Best of Beachcombing: My Favorite Shells, Sea Glass, and Beach Pottery Finds of the Year Beachcombing is one of those activities that’s equal parts relaxing and exciting. You get to wander the shoreline, soaking in the peaceful sound of the waves while keeping an eye out for little treasures that have washed up. It’s a great mix of slowing down and feeling a little thrill […]

A photo journal of my favorite beach finds in 2024. Yesterday I shared the strangest things I found while beachcombing in 2024, and today I thought it would be fun to share my favorite beachcombing finds of 2024. This includes my favorite shells, sea glass, driftwood, and beach pottery that I found this year. I walk on the beach year-round, mostly in late spring, summer, and early fall, but also on some winter days that aren’t too cold. Something that entertains me on my walks is beachcombing, which means scanning the beach for interesting or special items. You never know what you’re going to find, which makes every time different and full of possibilities! When beachcombing, I don’t bring home everything cool that I come across; I frequently take pictures of items I find but leave them as I found them on the beach. I try to be conscious of maintaining the beach ecosystem, and only keep something if it feels really special. I can still enjoy the thrill of the hunt without having to remove every item from the beach. I can enjoy beach finds without needing to keep them all, and can remember them with a photograph. Here are my favorite beachcombing finds of the year. My favorite beachcombing discoveries in 2024 Some shells, a piece of sea glass, and a sand dollar that I found on a beach walk in June. This sand dollar was the only one I found in 2024. I ended up leaving most of these items on the beach after taking this photo, but I loved how many shells had orange and peachy hues. These are my favorite pieces of sea glass that I found at various beaches in the Northeast this year, as well as some cool pieces of driftwood. Some of this sea glass I like because of the unique bottle pieces, and some because of the colors. Some interesting and cool shells I found while shelling on our annual trip to Florida. I love how the shells in Florida are so colorful and different compared to the shells I find in New England and on other beaches along the East Coast. Related: 21 Expert Tips for Shelling in Florida I found this grouping of shells, including a channeled whelk shell, moon snail shells, and a knobbed whelk shell, on the beach after a storm. Even though this was one of my favorite finds of the year, I didn’t take any of them with me, choosing to leave them as-is on the beach. All of these shells could potentially make a home for a hermit crab, and since I already have a couple of these kinds of shells, I don’t feel the need to take more, unless I were to find an absolutely perfect shell that was empty. These are my favorite pieces of beach pottery that I found this year, especially the blue and white piece in the lower right corner. I’ve gotten more selective in my beach pottery collecting because many of the pieces I’ve been finding are too large and don’t feel display-worthy. Related: 61 Fun Holidays for Beach, Ocean, and Coastal Lovers All Year Long I like beachcombing because it gives me the motivation to get frequent outdoor exercise and gives me something to do while I walk. I also get to enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of the beach, which brings me so much joy. I’m a coastal lover through and through. While I didn’t find anything at the beach in 2024 that I feel is an epic beachcombing find, I still enjoyed the thrill of the search and especially my time spent along the shore. One of the reasons I chose to live within walking distance to the beach was the chance to enjoy it often. I’m looking forward to seeing what I find in the coming year! Save This Photo Journal to Refer Back To Pin this graphic on Pinterest, or bookmark this page, so you can continue to refer back to the photographs in this photo journal. And don’t forget to follow Stars & Anchor on Pinterest and on Instagram for more coastal lifestyle and beach inspiration. Photo Journal: The Best of Beachcombing Which is your favorite photo from this beachcombing photo journal? Share your thoughts in the comments.

A photo journal of unusual found objects on the beach. I live in walking distance to the beach, so I’ve spent countless days this year walking along the shoreline beachcombing, meaning I look for interesting shells, sea glass, driftwood, and other items along the water’s edge. And while I look for these items, I inevitably come across some strange, unusual, and weird objects, too. This year I started a beach photography project of found objects as a way to document all of these unusual beachcombing finds. Some are funny, some are mysterious, some are a little sad, but they’re all unexpected and leave questions unanswered. I wasn’t expecting to find any of these items as I walked along the beach, and probably will never see some of these types of items again. Finding these unusual and weird items on the beach always gets me thinking about how they got there in the first place. Was a child playing with a toy on the beach, and forgot it there? Or was it washed ashore from a far away place? Was an item something that was thrown in the garbage that somehow made its way into the water, or was it ripped from someone’s home during a hurricane or storm surge? I’ll never have the answers, but will always wonder about them. Here are the most unexpected and unusual items I found while beachcombing this year. My Strangest Beachcombing Finds of 2024 One of my strangest finds at the beach is this blue statue, which through some internet researching I’ve learned is a Ganesha statue. It doesn’t seem like it would be used as a beach toy, so I wonder how it got here? It was sitting in the shallow water near the beginning of a tide pool, and is missing a piece of its trunk. This battery-operated tea light candle was sitting here on the beach, as if it were placed there, although I’m pretty sure it came in with high tide. I kind of wish I had checked to see if it still worked, though I doubt it would have. This colorful beaded bracelet makes me a little sad, thinking a child made it and then lost it while swimming. It had washed in with the tide, so who knows how long it was in the water for. This army man toy came to rest in a clump of debris on the beach, including a seagull feather. Related: Best of Beachcombing 2024: My Favorite Shells, Sea Glass, and Beach Pottery Finds One of my more mysterious beachcombing finds this year is this still-wet, burned page from a children’s chapter book, which after searching online I believe is Pearl the Magical Unicorn. Why did someone burn it, do they dislike the book that much? Or are they mad at the person who gifted them this book? We’ll never know. This water squirt gun came to rest in this interesting position on the sand after high tide brought it ashore. Something I was surprised about while beachcombing throughout the year was the amount of plastic Easter eggs that washed ashore. Sometimes they were in half like this one, and sometimes they were whole. Where are they coming from, and how come so many have ended up in the ocean? Related: 6 Beautiful Beach Sunset Color Palettes A magenta glass stone that reminds me of the glass stones used when playing Mancala. It makes me wonder why it washed up on the beach by itself. This toy was sitting on the water’s edge and had just come in with the tide. I’m sure a child was sad to lose this, which from some internet research I discovered is a Disney Palace Pet named Berry. This was discovered in the off-season, so I don’t think a child had forgotten it at the beach recently. Last but not least, one of the strangest things I found at the beach this year is this DVD case with what I believe is a homemade cover. Through a Google Images search I’ve discovered this is Hindu god Hanuman carrying Dronagiri mountain. I’m left with so many questions as to how this ended up in the water and washed up on the beach, and regret for not opening the case to see if the DVD was still inside. This photography project of found objects on the beach was fun to collect throughout the year. Every time I was beachcombing and came across something odd, I’d get out my camera, and file these photos into a folder on my phone. I have more, but I decided to limit this post to ten photos. I’m planning to continue this project in 2025, so check back if you’ve enjoyed this beach photography collection. All photos in this blog post are my original photography. Feel free to repost them uncropped, but please credit me with a link back to this blog. Thank you! Save This Beachcombing Photography of Unusual Found Objects Pin this graphic on Pinterest, or bookmark this page, so you can continue to refer back to the photographs in this collection of unusual beachcombing finds. And don’t forget to follow Stars & Anchor on Pinterest and on Instagram for more coastal lifestyle and beach inspiration. The Strangest Things I’ve Found Beachcombing: a photo journal of unusual found objects on the beach Have you found anything unusual on the beach? Which of these unusual found objects is your favorite? Share your beachcombing finds and thoughts in the comments.