As its name suggests, sea glass is human-made glass that has spent some time in the ocean. It isn’t naturally occurring, although it might appear as such when you see it because it looks like an exotic or polished rock.

When glass sits in the water for an extended period, it weathers chemically and physically because of the waves continually crashing down on it. Sand and salt wash over the glass, too, smoothing its edges and leaving a polished surface behind. The ocean’s currents eventually bring the glass back to shore, depositing it on and near beaches around the world.

Sea glass typically comes from broken bottles and household items that are washed out to sea or dropped from a boat. Some of this glass can even come from historic shipwrecks, eventually making its way back to shore in a new form.

Each piece of sea glass is unique, and many people visit the beaches of Cape Cod in search of a special find. Here’s a look at four of the best places on the Cape to uncover sea glass on your next vacation.

Craigville Beach

Craigville Beach sits in a unique position between Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, putting in the perfect spot to collect sea glass. Nantucket Sound’s currents tend to push items toward this beach, helping the area accumulate glass, shells, and other treasures.

The best way to find sea glass at Craigville Beach is to dig in the sand. For whatever reason, there’s a significant amount of turquoise glass in this area that’s sure to become a favorite part of your sea glass collection.

Race Point Beach

As the Cape’s northernmost point, Race Point Beach in Provincetown is an ideal spot to gather sea glass. Glass from the Atlantic Ocean tends to wash up on this beach, leaving plenty of green and blue treasures to uncover.

The one issue with Race Point Beach is that sea glass here can get buried pretty deep, so you’ll have to be ready to dig. As long as you’re prepared to put the effort in, though, a significant amount of glass is waiting here for you.

Skaket Beach

Skaket Beach in Orleans is located right at Cape Cod’s elbow, allowing it to accumulate glass from the towns lining Cape Cod Bay, as well as Boston, Maine, and New Hampshire. Currents and tides push sea glass right to this beach, leaving plenty of jewels for you to discover when the tide turns out.

Parking is often limited at Skaket Beach, so you’ll have to arrive early if you’re coming during the day. Alternatively, you can visit in the evening and enjoy one of the Cape’s most scenic sunsets from this location. You’ll want to check the tide schedule, though, because finding sea glass is far more challenging at high tide.

Scusset Beach

Scusset Beach is technically off the Cape, as it is on the mainland side of the Cape Cod Canal. However, its location overlooking Cape Cod Bay at the mouth of the Canal means it accumulates a significant amount of sea glass to uncover during your travels.

Much like Skaket Beach, sea glass from up and down the New England coastline washes ashore at Scusset Beach, and visitors frequently find rare pieces during their travels. This beach is also a beautiful spot to watch ships passing through the Cape Cod Canal or do some hiking on the surrounding trails.

A Unique Activity For Your Cape Cod Vacation

Whether you’re an experienced sea glass collector or just learning about this pastime, Cape Cod has excellent spots to explore. You can easily uncover some beautiful items in these locations because the currents and tides always leave new gems behind.

Even if you aren’t into collecting this glass from the ocean and taking it with you when you leave, discovering a few pieces on your day at the beach can be fun. The abundance of sea glass at beaches all over the Cape is yet another trait that makes this region so distinctive.