When you think of a day at the beach, you expect to see sand, other beachgoers, maybe the odd animal here and there. But what if I told you that there are some things you would never expect to wash up on a beach? Get ready to be amazed as we count down the top ten strangest things ever found on the shores.
10. A Harley-Davidson Motorcycle
Yes, you read that right. One day, a Harley-Davidson motorcycle appeared on the shores of British Columbia. It had been floating in the ocean for months, inside a styrofoam-lined container. Experts believe it was one of the many items carried away by the 2011 tsunami that devastated Japan. Despite being worse for wear, this piece of junk could be of value to collectors and those with a fascination for Japanese artifacts.
9. A Giant Eyeball
Imagine taking a peaceful walk on the beach only to come face-to-face with a giant eyeball staring back at you. That’s exactly what happened in Pompano Beach, Florida, in 2012. This softball-sized peeper was quickly retrieved by wildlife conservation authorities for further study. Initially thought to belong to a squid, it turned out to be the eye of a swordfish. It seems that a fisherman caught the swordfish and accidentally got its eye out, allowing it to find its way to shore and terrorize beachgoers.
8. Driftwood (the Size of a House)
Driftwood is a common sight on beaches, but imagine stumbling upon a piece the size of a house. In an unusual event, a massive drift log washed up on a beach, leaving many wondering how it got there. It’s believed that severe weather, accompanied by high winds, caused a once mighty tree to topple and end up in this state. The specific details of its journey may forever remain unknown, but its size is certainly a remarkable sight.
7. Blue Sailors (Jellyfish)
Jellyfish are a common find on beaches, but in 2015, billions of blue sailors started washing up on the US west coast. Also known as by-the-wind sailors, these jellyfish ride wind and water currents using a hardened triangular sail. As for their mass stranding, it was simply a result of changing wind directions. While it may not be the result of a deep sea takeover, it’s still a fascinating phenomenon to witness.
6. LEGO Bricks
In the late 90s, a container filled with millions of LEGO pieces fell into the sea off Cornwall. Since then, LEGO lovers and beach walkers have been discovering the washed-up pieces along the shores. It all started when the container ship carrying the LEGO pieces was hit by an intense wave, causing it to lose 62 containers, one of which was filled with nearly 4.8 million LEGO pieces. To this day, LEGO pieces continue to wash ashore, delighting some and causing discomfort to barefoot beachgoers.
5. A Giant LEGO Man
Taking the LEGO theme to the next level, a giant LEGO man washed up on a Florida beach in 2011. This eight-foot-tall, hundred-pound figure had a peculiar message printed on its shirt: “No real than you are.” This wasn’t the first time a giant LEGO man had been found on a beach, as similar occurrences happened in Holland, England, and Japan. These incidents were the work of Dutch guerrilla artists, making them both fascinating and mysterious.
4. World War II Love Letters
Sometimes, the things washed up on beaches are not peculiar objects but instead hidden treasures of human connection. After Hurricane Sandy ravaged the East Coast in 2012, a stack of fifty-seven love letters washed ashore near the Jersey Shore. Written between 1942 and 1947, these letters became a poignant reminder of love during wartime. With determination and online research, the letters were returned to 91-year-old Dorothy, one of the authors, who was living in a nursing home.
3. E.T. Returns
In a bizarre turn of events, a life-sized model of the lovable alien E.T. was stolen from a woman’s home in 2012. Months later, it resurfaced on a beach in Old Portsmouth, Hampshire, after someone mistook it for a human body and alerted the police. The model, missing a finger and looking a bit roughed up, was eventually returned to its owner, bringing joy and relief. E.T.’s beachside adventure is just one of the many strange stories that the ocean has to offer.
2. A Mysterious Hairy Blob
In 2018, a decaying truck-sized carcass washed ashore in the Philippines, leaving onlookers mystified. People called it the “globster” due to its large size, grayish color, and hair-like appearance. While it was initially thought to be the decaying body of a sea cow, later examination revealed that it was a decomposed whale. The exact species couldn’t be identified due to decomposition. This hairy mystery reminds us that the ocean still holds many secrets.
1. A Conjoined Two-Headed Dolphin
Saving the most extraordinary for last, the strangest thing to wash up on a beach was a conjoined two-headed dolphin found in Turkey. This rare creature had survived for a year before its unfortunate demise. Conjoined animals, especially mammals, rarely survive beyond a few months in the wild, making this discovery all the more remarkable. The dolphin’s journey, from swimming alongside its mother to capturing the attention of experts, left a lasting impression on those who witnessed it.
These are just a few examples of the bizarre and fascinating things that have washed up on beaches around the world. Whether they are treasured artifacts, natural wonders, or remnants of human connection, they remind us that the ocean still holds many surprises. So, next time you take a stroll on the beach, keep your eyes open. You never know what strange and captivating things you might find.
For more intriguing stories and captivating rankings, visit Top X, the premier source for top-tier lists and rankings.
FAQs
Q: Can debris from tsunamis wash up on beaches?
A: Yes, debris from tsunamis can wash up on beaches. The example of the Harley-Davidson motorcycle found on the shores of British Columbia suggests that tsunami debris can travel great distances across the ocean.
Q: What is a globster?
A: A globster is a term used to describe a large, unidentified mass of organic matter that washes up on beaches. These mysterious blobs often generate curiosity and speculation until their true identity is determined.
Q: Are conjoined animals common in the wild?
A: No, conjoined animals are extremely rare, especially among mammals. The survival of a conjoined two-headed dolphin for a year in the wild is a remarkable occurrence.
Conclusion
From motorcycles to giant eyeballs, the list of the strangest things ever washed up on beaches is filled with captivating and unexpected discoveries. These unique finds not only spark our curiosity but also remind us of the vast mysteries that lie beneath the ocean’s surface. So, the next time you visit the beach, keep an eye out for the extraordinary, as you never know what wonders might be waiting.
