Posted in Maine June 05, 2018 by

The Amazing Sand Dollar Beach Every Mainer Will Want To Visit

With more coastline than California, it’s not surprising that Maine has some epic and glorious beaches. Not all of them are feet-friendly (they don’t call it a rocky coastline for nothing,) but the ones you can walk on feature the whitest, softest sand in New England. Laying around on the beach is a great way to spend the day, but if you’re the more curious type we bet you’re going to want to do some exploring. If this sounds like you, head to Long Sands Beach. You’ll find seashells, but you also just might find one of nature’s coolest creations – a sand dollar! And this might be the best beach for sand dollars in Maine.

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Unique sand dollars are one of the most fun finds to make on a beach.
scottmccracken / Flickr
While beachcombers often find them in skeletal form, called "tests," they are actually slightly spikey when they're alive.
budak / Flickr
Despite looking quite different, they're related to spindly sea urchins. This is more apparent when they're alive and covered with spines.

Unlike the sea urchin, however, sand dollars have spines that are soft and furry. Sometimes they feel like velvet. These soft spines exist to help move food into the mouth of the sea creature, which is underneath its body.
Sand dollars primarily live in colonies of shallow ocean water, buried in the sandy bottom.
Colleen H / Flickr
While they're special to find, it's certainly not impossible once you know what to do.
Charlie L / TripAdvisor
Mike G / TripAdvisor
Sand dollars can be found on the beach one they've died and washed ashore.
firepile / Flickr
A great first step is to track storms - chances of finding a sand dollar are greater after a large storm blows through causing large waves to bring them to shore more easily.
deebug2470 / TripAdvisor
Next, be sure to look during low tide.
deebug2470 / TripAdvisor
You may need to wake up early since this often happens in the morning or at the end of the day, depending on where you are.
Lisa M / TripAdvisor
Be sure to search at the high tide line, which is the highest place the water will have come up before going out again.
deebug2470 / TripAdvisor
owengalenjones / Flickr
bevis / Flickr
If you see a round patch in the sand or any kind of depression, look beneath it as these are signs of sand dollars that have been covered with sand from the tide.
rusty_clark / Flickr
You'll probably find lots of other fun sea creatures as well, but always be careful not to disturb anything that's living - this is their home and touching them can disturb the living ecosystem.
deebug2470 / TripAdvisor
And, if you're lucky, you'll come away with a haul like this!
sabinesabine / Flickr
From the lower section of the beach you'll have great view of Nubble Light on Cape Neddick.
Steph L / TripAdvisor
Straight ahead you can see Boone Island Light and to the South is Isles of Shoals, on the Maine and New Hampshire border.
Whether you're beachcombing or simply looking for a way to relax, Long Sands Beach is beautiful at any time of year.
karenbN5780VF / TripAdvisor
RocFan / TripAdvisor

Sea glass is another fun find on the coast of Maine. These 10 beaches are some of the absolute best for finding and collecting these colorful treasures.