Beach Trivia

By Paula Green

“Beachology. Be shore of yourself. Don’t be crabby. Let your worries drift away. Drown out pier pressure. Soak up positive energy. Seas life’s moments.”

~Unknown

It's that time of the year when you grab your flip-flops, towel, and sunscreen and hit the beach for some sun and fun! Most beaches are found in coastal areas; however, beaches can also be found inland, near freshwater rivers or lakes. Beaches are home to a diverse and fascinating array of marine life.

There are so many relaxing things to do while "beaching"—splashing around in the waves, boogie boarding, surfing, snorkeling, building sandcastles, collecting seashells, playing beach volleyball, snacking on saltwater taffy, lying under an umbrella while reading a book, or even taking a quick snooze. The beach is a fantastic stress reliever!

When you spend time at the beach during the day, you're bound to soak up the necessary vitamin D for the body. But don't forget to apply sunscreen.

Many movies and songs have beach themes. Can you believe that the ocean thriller Jaws turns 50 this month? The film was released on June 20, 1975, and yes, American beaches saw a slight decline in attendance that summer.

Some classic beach films to check out include Blue Hawaii, Flipper, Beach Blanket Bingo, Castaway, Blue Lagoon, Beaches, Teen Beach Movie, Message in a Bottle, Somethings Got to Give, Soul Surfer, Finding Nemo, The Endless Summer, Back to the Beach, Weekend at Bernie’s, The Beach, and Baywatch – which later became a TV series.

You can also sing along to some popular beach songs such as: Under the Boardwalk, Kokomo, Beyond the Sea, California Girls, Surfin' USA, Catch a Wave, Summer Nights, Beachin,’ Rockaway Beach, Sea and Sand, Toes, Margaritaville, Fins, At the Beach, Knee Deep, Beach Baby, Little Surfer Girl, and Some Beach. The Beach Boys perform several of these tropical hit tunes.

Dining at the beach can be a delightful experience. If you enjoy seafood, the beach offers an array of delicious options, including lobsters, crabs, shrimp, clams, oysters, and various types of fish. Another great choice is to fire up the barbecue for a cookout, providing plenty of options to tantalize your taste buds.

Beach activities are also a lot of fun! You can go parasailing, take glass-bottom boat tour, watch dolphins, fly a kite, toss around a beach ball, stroll along the boardwalk or the shoreline, explore lighthouses, fish, or hike, and watch a sunrise/sunset. Miniature golf is another popular pastime, and Tiki bars can add to the fun.

Since we have explored beach days, we must now dive into this aquatic query: get set, make a splash, and don those beach hats because it's time to get a little trivial.

1. What is the term for the rise and fall of sea levels?

2. Which beach is known as the “beach capital” of the United States?

3. Which 60’s duo sang beach-themed songs Surf City and Sidewalk Surfin?

4. The movie Jaws was filmed in 1975 on which New England beach?

5. What’s the name of the famous surf beach in Hawaii?

6. In which ocean is the infamous Bermuda Triangle found?

7. Which east coast beach features a large King Neptune statue?

8. What is the largest ocean in the world?

9. What beach in Maryland is known for its boardwalk and seagulls?

10. Which Florida beach is a famous destination for shell collectors?

11. What crustacean is commonly found scurrying on sandy beaches?

12. Which South Carolina beach features the Sky Wheel and is known as the “Golf Capital of the World?”

13. What marine creature buries its eggs on the beach before returning to the sea?

14. Which world-famous beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil does Barry Manilow sing about?

15. Which is the only US state that borders two oceans (Arctic and Pacific) and it is the state with the largest coastline?

Answers: 1. Tides 2. Miami Beach, Florida 3. Jan & Dean 4. Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts 5. Waikiki Beach 6. Atlantic Ocean 7. Virginia Beach 8. Pacific Ocean 9. Ocean City 10. Sanibel Island 11. Sand Crab 12. Myrtle Beach 13. Sea Turtle 14. Copacabana 15. Alaska

Sources: www.quizinside.com/101-best-beach-trivia-questions-and-answers/, www.groupgames101.com/beach-trivia/, www.funtrivia.com, www.boredteacher.com/post/ocean-fun-facts, www.thegeographyteacher.com/facts-about-the-beach, insmoothwaters.com/beach-movies