My beachcombing adventures began when I was a child visiting Cockle Cove Beach in Chatham. During those summer strolls, I can remember scanning the seashore and finding all sorts of treasures to admire. Now, after living on the Cape for over 27 years, beachcombing is still one of my favorite pastimes.

As a photographer, I head to the shore with a goal in mind that includes capturing shore birds, sea glass, or interesting sand patterns. However, I almost always end up wandering for hours. The long stretches of sand beckon me to go just a little further as all my senses are fed by the sights, smells, sounds, and feel of the water, salty breezes, and sand between my toes. 

Low tide exposes the most treasures, but there’s something to discover regardless of the tide, time of day, or season. For me, the joy is in the search. Beachcombing is both a meditative treasure hunt and natural history lesson. I think John Muir captured it well when he said, “I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in.” 

Of course, sunrises and sunsets on the Cape are reason enough to start or end a day beachcombing. Occasionally, I arrange some of my finds in little temporary art installations reminiscent of the sculptor Andy Goldsworthy, and I leave them to be taken by the next tide. 

There is so much to learn and appreciate in Cape Cod’s extraordinary coastal environment. Some of my most unique finds include Icelandic scallops, a baby skate just coming out of its egg case, antique bottles, and an old clay pipe, not to mention some amazing wildlife, including endangered shore birds, snowy owls, coyotes, foxes, and grey seals. You just never know what you might find along the wrack line, so head out now, and you’ll be glad you did.