09/18/2026
Ya'll....check THIS out! Shackleford Banks Naturalist just shared on their page. Not positive but this was likely yesterday's Shackleford Wild Horse and Shelling Safari tour through Island Express Ferry Service. We also want to add a disclaimer that although helmets seem like a rather common find, they aren't - trust me, from personal experience. From many trips to NC, including the Crystal Coast/Shackleford/Cape Lookout, I've only found ONE mostly intact (few small holes), smaller helmet. I can't go to the beach and just sit in a beach chair, I'm walking up and down the beach, searching high and low, in the water, around rock jetties, etc. The one I have? Spotted it right on the beach in the wet sand from the transport truck at Cape Lookout on the way to the point. As soon as I got off at the point, I literally ran, probably close to a mile, back to where I spotted it and fortunately it was still there. Tide was coming in and those who rented the Kubodas were making their way down the beach. For me, it was definitely luck and timing. Helmets are a favorite and highly sought after shell by many, but they also seem to be a shell that is rather elusive unless you pay a steep price for a private shelling charter/tour or have your own boat, but even then, it's all luck and timing. And one this large AND intact/whole....RARE.
