
Beachcombing
Beachcombing is a great way to investigate the diversity of marine life along the coast, without getting your feet wet. Natural and man-made items arrive on our shores through winds, waves and tides, as well as from stormwater drains and other human impacts, such as littering. By monitoring your local beach over a period of time, you can get an indication of the health of your local marine environment.
The following information provides a comprehensive view to the various aspects of beachcombing. Depending on the existing level of understanding of your participants, you may choose to complete only some of the recommended components of the field trip.
- Beachcombing Basics
- Site Choice
- Pre-excursion Activity Ideas
- Conducting your beachcombing field trip
- Post-excursion Activity Ideas
- List of species you may find on the beach
For the more experienced beachcomber, you may like to delve a little deeper and explore life in the intertidal zone!
In This Section
- Exploring the Intertidal Zone
- Post-excursion Activity Ideas
- Pre-excursion Activity Ideas
- Site Choice
Related Resources
- Beachcombers Field Guide
- Tangaroa Blue Marine Debris Identification Manual
- Marine Conservation Areas
- Currents
- Coastal and Marine Life
- Coastal Processes
- Coastal Uses and Impacts
- How to Photo Monitor Beaches