Posted in North Carolina Nature April 23, 2021 by

This Little Known Island In North Carolina Is Perfect For Finding Loads Of Sand Dollars

There aren’t many adventures in North Carolina that lead to striking it rich in sand dollars, but any visit to Sand Dollar Island is sure to deliver loads of the beloved sea urchins that tend to burrow into the sand. If you’re superstitious and believe finding a sand dollar is good luck, then prepare yourself. A visit to Sand Dollar Island in North Carolina should be on your agenda for your next weekend getaway.

During these uncertain times, please keep safety in mind and consider adding destinations to your bucket list to visit at a later date.
The most commonly found variety of sand dollars along the North Carolina coast is flattened and round with a petal-like formation on the top. Much folklore surrounds the sand dollar, including mythical tales of them being the coins of mermaids.
TripAdvisor/Michell K
Whatever the appeal, finding your very own sand dollar (or hoards of them) is worthy of a ferry ride from Morehead City over to the small Sand Dollar Island only a few hundred yards from Shackleford Banks.
Facebook/Morehead City Ferry Service
Depending upon the tide, pools of water on the island are ideal places to spot the sand dollars washed in from the ebb and flow of the ocean. But you'll also find them along the surf (just under the water) and in the dunes.
TripAdvisor/Erin C
Most living sand dollars will be found just beneath the surface of the water, either resting upon the sand or barely burrowed beneath its surface.
TripAdvisor/management
A living sand dollar has a velvety underside with tiny little hairs that may move when you flip the sand dollar over. A living sand dollar is also darker in color than a dead one.
TripAdvisor/enidfern24
It's important to know the difference between the living sand dollars and the dead ones. Visitors are only allowed to take home the ones that are already dead, like this one, which no longer has the velvety touch and has been bleached by the sun.
TripAdvisor/shelbug721
Don't be surprised if you also find other treasures of the sea on this adventure. If you find a whelk shell (or any other shell) that's no longer occupied by a sea creature, feel free to take it home, too.
TripAdvisor/angelavacay
Sand Dollar Island is a wonderful place to take the entire family for an adventure like no other. Bring your beach gear and enjoy the empty beach as much as hunting for sand dollars. And don't forget to bring a container to keep your fragile sand dollars safe on the journey home!
Facebook/Morehead City Ferry Service

Sand Dollar Island is reachable only by way of small, personal watercraft, or you can take a ferry service. Morehead City Ferry Service offers a three-hour excursion to Sand Dollar Island. The ferry has a long ramp, making it easy to get on and off once you’re on the island. The service is offered seasonally, from early May to early September. Daily schedules vary, based upon the tide. Learn more from their official website and see the latest from them on their Facebook page.

Please note: Sand Dollar Island has no shade and no facilities. Bring sunscreen and drinking water.

For more summertime family fun along the North Carolina coast, check out this old-school water park!

Address: Beaufort, NC 28516, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center

Sand Dollar Island In North Carolina

April 28, 2021
Marisa Roman

Are there any good swimming holes in North Carolina?

Between the wide variety of hidden beaches in North Carolina and tucked away rivers and lakes, there are quite a few different swimming holes to consider on the next hot day. Heck, if you want to level up your swimming hole excursion, why not swim under a waterfall?! North Carolina has tons of waterfalls that guests can hike to, but did you know that you can also swim in them, too? Check out Hanging Rock’s Lower Cascade Falls as a great shallow option, or the ever-impressive Silver Run Falls in Nantahala National Forest. Check out the entire list of 12 waterfall swimming holes in North Carolina that are perfect for a summer day.

Which beach in North Carolina has the most pristine sand?

If you’re wondering where to find sand dollars in North Carolina then you might as well start by exploring the spot with the most pristine North Carolina sand, right? When sand is clean and pristine it’s much easier to spot things sticking out! It has been said that Carova, an 11-mile stretch of the Outer Banks is said to have the whitest, fluffiest, most beautiful sand in the state. Since this remote stretch of beach restricts any high-rise development, much of the beach remains untouched. Likely the reason why the sand is so pure!

Can I go scuba diving in North Carolina?

For anyone searching for a little-known island in North Carolina to scuba dive near, you might need to look a bit inland instead. While you can scuba dive in the ocean near North Carolina, we recommend checking out these scuba diving parks instead. Blue Stone Dive Resort in NC, for instance, opened in 1993 and features an impressive diving quarry the most beautiful shade of aquamarine. Meanwhile, Fantasy Lake Scuba Park in North Carolina allows divers to scuba depths of up to 80-feet!

Address: Beaufort, NC 28516, USA