Collectible seashells pile up on Outer Banks during coronavirus tourist ban

Seashells don’t normally stand a chance on Outer Banks beaches this time of year. The interesting ones get snatched up by families on spring break and end up as keepsakes or in crafts back home.

This year, the coronavirus pandemic prompted counties along North Carolina’s coast to close their beaches to tourists, and the seashells have been left to pile up.

Cape Lookout National Seashore on Monday shared a “postcard from the beach” video on Facebook showing a deep layer of shells washed up on the sand.

The video had been viewed more than 6,300 times by Wednesday afternoon, with many commenters lamenting the missed beachcombing opportunities.

“I can’t believe all those shells!!!! I need to come and pick them up,” wrote Laura Dixon.

Cape Lookout National Seashore via Facebook

Seashells collect on the shore while tourists are kept away from Cape Lookout National Seashore during the coronavirus pandemic.

“Thank you!!!! You’ve made my day!!! Day 22 of self-isolation in my home in Ohio. 46 degrees and gray,” wrote Leanna Colarich. “I cannot wait to get back to Shackleford and the Cape Lookout National Seashore.”

The video clip wasn’t enough for Jeremy and Cynthia Thompson.

“We need a live web cam so we can enjoy this all the time,” the Thompsons posted.

Marla Brown might have preferred to not see the video.

“OH! The wind, the waves, BUT………THE SHELLS!!!!!” Brown wrote. “That was just plain MEAN to tease us with THE SHELLS!!! When we can do NOTHING about them.”

The Outer Banks have some of America’s best beaches for shell collecting, reports the Charlotte Observer, including some prehistoric fossil shells.

The beaches at Cape Lookout and Cape Hatteras national seashores remain open, according to The News & Observer, but park facilities are closed, including cabins, camps and restrooms.