Why You Shouldn’t Take Sand or Shells from the Beach 🌿🐚
A few summers ago, a family visiting the Areoso islet took home a small jar of white sand and a few shells as souvenirs. They didn’t know that this seemingly harmless gesture, repeated by many visitors over time, was contributing to the deterioration of one of Galicia’s most fragile landscapes. When we walk along beaches like Areoso, Sálvora, or Cortegada, it’s common to feel tempted to take a “souvenir” from the place: a pretty shell, a handful of sand, a special stone… However, this seemingly innocent gesture has a bigger impact than you might imagine. Here’s why you should not take sand or shells from the beach, especially in protected environments like those of the Ría de Arousa.
A Small Action, a Big Impact
It may seem insignificant, but when hundreds or thousands of people take fragments from the beach, the ecosystem suffers. Every natural element along the coast serves a purpose: protecting against erosion, offering habitat for small organisms, or regulating soil temperature.
Shells, for instance, help stabilize the sand, retain moisture, and provide shelter for mollusks, crabs, and other invertebrates. Sand, on the other hand, not only beautifies the landscape: it is also key to the natural regeneration of beaches, especially after tides and storms.
Moreover, the imbalance caused by the continued removal of these elements can result in visible changes in the natural environment: more eroded beaches, decreased biodiversity, and less protection for bird nests and microfauna.
Galicia Protects Its Natural Treasures
In Galicia, many beaches and islets — such as Areoso Islet or Sálvora Island — are protected. They are part of areas like the Atlantic Islands National Park, where it is forbidden to remove natural elements.
Taking shells or sand from these places, although it may seem anecdotal, disrupts the natural balance and can even be considered a sanctionable offense. In some areas, awareness campaigns have led visitors to return tons of sand they had unknowingly taken, realizing the harm they caused.
Areoso Islet, for example, is so delicate that access is limited year-round due to bird nesting seasons. Its sandy ecosystem and crystal-clear waters require extreme care.
Why Are Shells and Sand So Important?
In nature, everything has a role. Seashells, although they may appear as simple decorations, serve several important functions:
- They provide refuge and habitat for small animals.
- They decompose over time and release calcium into the environment, enriching the soil.
- They help slow coastal erosion.
Sand acts as a natural shield. Its structure helps absorb wave impact and protects the shoreline. When sand is removed in large amounts (even a handful at a time), it leads to the gradual loss of coastal mass, ultimately affecting the shape and health of the beaches.
Be Part of the Change: Responsible Tourism
Traveling is also about learning. That’s why, at Amare Turismo Náutico, we are committed to responsible tourism that educates without prohibiting, but with awareness.
🌿 On our guided tours, we explain why nothing should be touched or removed from the natural environment.
🌊 We encourage taking photos and admiring the scenery… but also leaving everything just as it was.
📸 The best souvenir is the one you keep in your camera and in your heart!
We also share sustainable practices with our guests, promoting waste reduction, respect for marine life, and the protection of sensitive areas. We believe that the best way to preserve a place is to know it, love it, and respect it.
Our Commitment at Amare
All our boats and activities are designed with sustainability in mind.
We hold the SICTED quality certification, are part of Galicia Sustainable Destination, and promote the use of local products.
Caring for the sea isn’t optional — it’s our mission.
Our routes are not only a way to explore the Ría de Arousa, but also an opportunity to promote ecological values. Whether on the Traslatio Route, visits to Cortegada, Sálvora or Areoso, or our responsible fishing trips, every traveler becomes an ambassador for the Galician sea.
🙌 Help Us Protect This Paradise
Every shell you leave behind is a story that continues.
Thank you for traveling consciously and helping us protect Galicia’s coastline.
Book your experience with Amare and discover the Ría de Arousa in an authentic and respectful way. 💙
