USVI-On-Line

Beach combing,are keeping the shells we find on the beach legal or do we have to leave them there?
R

Hi Robbin,

You can't keep any of the shells, dead coral etc. you find on the beaches on St. John. Even if you collect things from a non-National park beach, it's illegal to remove these things from the USVI.

Beachcombing for pretty shells is not really something you can do, anyway. The offshore reefs break up any shells that are not claimed by hermit crabs.

If you are interested in checking out some sea sculptures, go to Drunk Bay, off Salt Pond Bay. It's a coral rubble beach and you can make your own sculpture from the existing dead coral and rocks that make up the beach. Last time I was there someone had built an entire hut from coral and driftwood! It was pretty impressive.

We were not sure and went ahead and took a small piece of dead brain coral and a cool rock that looked like a natives face (really!)
It was in my carry-on and nobody said anything about it! I guess they were more concerned that they found my aerosol bug spray~~oops!
One time they pulled out a baggie of St. John Spice Grill Rub and wondered what it really was!! (fes up Ruth!)

What about sea glass? We found a bunch on Vie's beach.

I'm with Liamsaunt on this one. If it is or was once alive or something's home- NO TAKEY, NO TOUCHY.

Sea glass doesn't really fit this category. So TAKEY AWAY!!

Phew! What a relief, because I think we brought a little home! No shells, only glass.

What is sea glass?

Literally glass that's been worn down by the sea. Often used to make jewelry. See:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beach_glass

Cool - thanks Gromit!

As far as taking things, I once told someone when we were at Pebble Beach, if everyone just took one pebble as a reminder of being there, there would eventually be no more pebbles...yes, I am a dork, but that's the way I feel about removing things from where they are.

TOTALLY agreed!

Boy!! I'm glad I asked!!

like the old saying goes...take only pictures and leave only footprints.