Few visitors or locals make the short journey out to Bull Island, a barrier island along the South Carolina coast. But once you go, you’ll fall in love with the untouched beauty found on the island’s seven-mile beach. A little-known secret about the beach at Bull Island is it is a beachcomber’s paradise and is perfect for finding sand dollars, shells, and more.
No matter the season, you're likely to strike it rich in sand dollars on Bull Island. Something about the position of the island in the Atlantic combined with the ebb and flow of the ocean in this particular spot washes them toward the shore as if the island were a magnet.
The only access to Bull Island is via boat. Approximately once per month, the Bull Island Ferry (operated by Coastal Expeditions) schedules a beach drop that's perfectly timed with the tides.
After a 50-minute guided tour from Garris Landing in Awendaw, the tour boat drops visitors at the north end of Bull Island to spend the better part of three hours in awe of the sights and sounds found along this pristine shore.
As for the sand dollars, many are snuggled into the sand just below the surf. But you'll want to make sure you know the difference between the live sand dollars and the dead ones. It's perfectly fine to keep the dead ones but you'll want to put the live ones back in the water.
Live sand dollars are darker in color than dead ones. When you flip them over, the underside is covered in little hairs that will like wiggle a bit. If you don't want to flip it over, then you can see the little hairs (the same color as the sand dollar) wiggle around the edge of the living creature belonging to the sea biscuit family.
On the other hand, dead sand dollars are fine to keep. Take them home and display them where they'll always remind you of your visit to Bull Island and South Carolina. It's easy to tell the difference between live and dead: there are no wiggly hairs and the sand dollar has begun to turn white from the rays of the sun.
Things to know before you go: bring sunscreen, lots of water, and a hat. There is no shade on — or near — the beach at Bull Island. Additionally, there are no restroom facilities at the beach.
If you want to bring a beach towel and enjoy the surf, then that’s fine; however, Bull Island has no lifeguards so it’s swim at your own risk.
When you’re ready to discover this sand dollar and beach-combing paradise, check out the official website for Coastal Expeditions. They offer more than one tour to Bull Island, so you’ll want to make sure you book the Beach Drop tour. The ferry ride costs $40/adults and $20/children. The ferry ride is 50-minutes each way. The total excursion lasts five hours.
Garris Landing Address: 498 Bulls Island Road, Awendaw, SC, 29429
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