Wave after wave. by PEEQ.

Usually a beach consists of sand, sometimes pebbles or shells. Some beaches consist of volcanic sand and are black in color. A beach has little or no vegetation, although on quiet beaches, such as on the island of Schiermonnikoog and near Nieuwvliet in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen there are some salt-loving plants growing locally, and some marram grass. Sometimes any dunes present are counted as part of the beach. A coastal strip that consists of more solid material, such as rocks, or is overgrown, is often called a shore.

A beach along a sea or ocean is (partly) submerged when the tide is in. Usually a large part of the beach remains dry, but in exceptional circumstances (spring tide, onshore wind) the entire beach may be flooded. The upper limit of the beach (where vegetation begins) therefore also indicates how far the water can reach.

On a beach along a sea or ocean one generally finds seaweed, shells and jellyfish. Many things also wash ashore, such as wreckage, trash, things that have fallen off ships. Beachcombers are looking for valuable things that can be found on the beach. In the Middle Ages, beach law existed: the right of the landlord or local people to anything washed up on the beach. In most Western countries it is customary that what washes ashore belongs to the rightful owner (usually the owner).