Anyone who has walked along Pensacola Bay with children knows how quickly an ordinary beach stroll turns into discovery. Small, round, squishy objects appear near the waterline, and suddenly kids are racing over, laughing and proudly announcing their find. While the playful nickname adults often hear may cause a chuckle, the truth behind these objects is far more natural—and far more interesting.
What children usually find are mudballs, harmless formations shaped by the bay’s unique environment. They’re especially common in calm bayside areas where soft sediments, marsh grasses, and gentle tides meet. Unlike ocean beaches with constant crashing waves, Pensacola Bay allows fine mud and clay to settle and collect along the bottom.
