It’s difficult to pinpoint the fascination with the sea urchin known as the Sand Dollar. Most of us will remember striking it rich as children when finding one (or more!) of them on a visit to the beach, sometimes cracking them open to release the dove-shaped things inside the treasure. Do you have a favorite beach in South Carolina for finding the sea treasure known as the sand dollar?

We do!
tripadvisor/ibrake4java
This beach has a LOT of sand dollar loot to be found! And getting there is almost as much of an adventure as finding a lot of sand dollars.
tripadvisor/Deanna R
They're found on the seven miles of pristine and entirely non-developed beach of Bulls Island, which can only be reached by way of boat. If you don't have your own boat, you can take a ferry over and search all day, or even just a few hours.
Google Maps/bullislandferry.com
And don't worry, based on the number of people who can fit on that ferry with you and the possible seven miles of beach to comb, there will be plenty of loot to discover!
tripadvisor/mtngrl05
The best time to go is at low tide when you'll see a variety of shells that have just been uncovered by the outgoing tide.
tripadvisor/Lolacate

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The adventure will also score a variety of other sea treasure too, including full conch shells!
tripadvisor/Gina M
tripadvisor/Rachel C
Don't forget to leave the LIVE creature on the beach. Taking a live sand dollar can cost you a hefty fine upwards of $500! The sand dollar shown below is live. Notice the reddish-brown color. If you picked up this sand dollar, you'd likely also see the little tentacles moving on the bottom. They use those to move and bury themselves in the sand. The color is the easiest way to tell if one is still alive.
Wikipedia/John Tracy
When they're white-washed like the ones in the photo below, they're already dead and free game for taking home. And there are a LOT of them that are already dead on Bulls Island.
tripadvisor/ChuckSullins
No one really knows WHY Bulls Island has so MANY sand dollars! Perhaps it's because the island is uninhabited?
Google Maps

The Bulls Island Ferry is operated by Coastal Expeditions. The spring/summer/fall schedule for the ferry is different than the winter schedule. In season, the ferry departs twice a day (9:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.) and returns twice a day (12:00 noon and 4:00 p.m.). If you take the morning ferry, then you can return on either the 12:00 noon or the 4:00 p.m. ferry. The cost is $40/adult (13+), and $20 (12 and under). The ferry leaves from Garris Public Boat Landing at 498 Bulls Island Rd., Awendaw, SC.

The island has a restroom, picnic area and storm shelter. You’ll need to bring everything with you, including plenty of water and sunscreen. Get more information from the official website of Coastal Expeditions.

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