Also lookout for the lightning whelk, which can grow up to 16 inches long and lays its eggs in papery egg case streamers that you might also see onshore. The waters of Sanibel Island beaches have a gradual slope, which allows shells to be washed up on the shoreline extremely easily. our few days turned into a month, and we had so much fun picking up shells and just enjoying the beautiful beach! Our guide to Sanibels public beach parks includes information about: Causeway Islands Park. Local laws prohibit the collection of live shells. NEW YORK Remember,maintainingand cleaning your seashellsis all part of being asavvy shell hunter! Although these beaches are the best for shelling, they are not the ideal beaches for swimming. FLORIDA, U.S. NATIONAL PARK SITES Bowmans Beach is another good option that tends to be less crowded. Well it being December, I wasnt really prepared to go wading around in cold water, but Ill do pretty much anything to find sand dollars so in I went! Via Hotels Fairy. Welcome to the Seashell Capital of the World. This prevents any smells or dirt from sticking to the seashells. Copyright 2023 Sandalfoot Condominium Association, Inc. all rights reserved -. There are two major types of shells: gastropods and bivalves. Pick a Sanibel beach to visit and call home for a whileor try them all! Thus, most people choose a beach along the way and never reach Turner Beach. WebThe Best Shelling Beach on Sanibel and Captiva Beaches: 2019 Edition - Sanibel Island Chamber of Commerce Find the best location for shelling in Sanibel Island this year! Its amazing what people create with their Sanibel Island shell bounty! But there is so much else to do on Sanibel Island fine accommodations, fresh seafood, fishing, boating, and just plain relaxation, a chance to get away from the hurly burly, a chance to draw closer to nature. Or paddle the Calusa Blueway, a featured trail in a network of water routes. However, there is one time thats preferable: low tide. What to wear shelling in Florida: Wear water shoes when youre shelling in Florida! Shelling in Sanibel Island is a one-of-a-kind experience that you and your family are sure to love. Stay overnight and you can search for shells along the Gulf Coast as you watch the sunset! These have over 250 kinds of seashells from the Gulf of Mexico and Carribean regions. When people think about visiting the Sunshine State and taking a beach vacation with their loved ones, Sanibel beaches are often the first to come to mind. For the experience to be memorable, collectors should enjoy their time looking for shells, preferably by taking a seat next to a pile of them. GRAND CANYON AZ There are 2 public beaches on Captiva Island, and once again, you can find shells at all Captiva Island beaches. Lighthouse Beach on Sanibel is the place to go if youre hunting for smaller shells. But the area is very popular with beach go-ers and shellers because the beach is close to the mainland. Which is good, because as of early 2023, Sanibel Island beaches are still closed from the historically destructive hurricane in September 2022. Map of where the best shelling in Florida is located. Unless you have your own boat, the best way to get to Cayo Costa for shelling is on a shelling tour with Captiva Cruises. But Turner Beach is the clear choice for the best shelling beach on Sanibel and Captiva beaches. That said, Sanibel Island beaches are not the only beaches in Florida where you can have a happy shelling experience. But on the flip side, if you are patient and wait for an open parking spot, it means that youll go to a beach that will never be all that crowded! managed by RealTech Webmasters. Save. Both Turner beach and Blind Pass beach are popular for fishing, shelling, and jet skiing. There are nature trails to enjoy if youd like a change of scenery. var prefix = 'ma' + 'il' + 'to'; Ever since I did this shelling cruise with Treasure Seekers out of Marco Island to the Ten Thousand Islands (the best shelling in Florida by a landslide), Ive had pretty low expectations of other shelling spots. If youre planning a visit to our Sanibel Island rentals, you simply cant leave without hunting for some seashells. What You'll Find: Sand dollars, olives, ocher stars, A spectacular Sanibel Island sunset captured by Nature Study. Blind Pass Beach is a very close second to Turner beach when it comes to the best shelling spots on Sanibel island. East | Cape Coral, FL 33904, Location: 1870 Clayton Ct. | Fort Myers, FL 33907, Location: 3000 Tamiami Trail North | Naples, FL 34103, Location: 4090 NW 84th Ct. | Ocala, FL 34482, Location: 1547 Periwinkle Way | Sanibel Island, FL 33957, Location: Crossroads 17 Highway 64 E. | Cashiers, NC 28717, Location: 225 Main St. | Highlands, NC 28741, Location: 19387 Rosman Highway | Sapphire, NC 28774. Fortunately, Sanibel has plenty of stores that offer a wide collection of equipment to choose from, including these and other beach-related goods. Both are great places to scour the shoreline for a prized possession. A lot of the Sanibel Island beach parking lots are small, and Bowmans Beach has one of the bigger parking lots so itll be easier to go to as well. Your browser is not supported for this experience.We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari. You see, when the winds and storms come from the South, beaches that face directly south, like the one at Tarpon Beach Road, will see an increased number of shells on the shore. Somewhere in Lee County, Florida dwells every new and experienced shellers dream. MAMMOTH CAVE KY Whether you go tent camping or cabin camping, it is basically bring your own everything! Lighthouse beach, along with Blind Pass (between Sanibel and Captiva) are the two top destinations for shelling. Keep in mind a fishing license is required to collect these coquina shells. What actually wouldve helped was having one of those scooper/strainers to grab them up with instead of having to reach down (thats when I usually got wet). , Hi Angie! 1. This is the beach at the farthest west end of Sanibel Island, just before the bridge to Captiva Island. Again, wind direction, tides, and weather will dictate the shelling conditions at Blind Pass. 1. Parking, however, is limited, so arrive early, especially at a low tide or after a storm, when shelling is best. When staying in a close place, it becomes simpler to leave in the early morning to go shelling before other shellers arrive. A super handy laminated Sanibel Folding Shell Guide. One of the most important tips to remember is to never take any live shells, such as sand dollars, sea stars, and urchins. Explore the map. GRAND TETON WY If you find one you get to be in the local newspaper. And whats the best advice for keeping seashells? The beaches of Sanibel are some of the best in Florida, so dont forget our Locals Guide to the best Sanibel Island beaches dreamy, natural, and refreshingly uncrowded. Sanibel beaches parking at public beaches costs $5 an hour. Ready to plan your vacation? Shell collectors should dive since Sanibel's water clarity is not the finest, especially at the surface, where it will be difficult to spot any shells. Its not unusual at some Florida beaches to see people bending over in shallow water in search of shells! At the end of the day, when looking at one's bag full of scotch bonnet, whelk, conch, or whatever unique shell they were looking for, the effort will have been worth it. Plenty of roomavailable. It is time to plan your next beach escape to Sanibel Island! Some beaches you might not have to look as hard! Theres tons of parking (including several handicapped spaces) that makes it easy to get onto the shore. Caution: Do not soak too long in bleach solution as sand dollar may crumble. Bonus: Take a ferry to neighboring Caladesi Island. WebEdison and Ford Estates Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum BEACHES Lovers Key is a destination for beachside weddings and a home for manatees, roseate spoonbills, and bald eagles. If you love collecting seashells, Sanibel Island is calling your name! January is the coldest it gets, and the water temperature might be in the high 60s still reasonable to go swimming for some people but maybe not all!). Sanibel fishing pier and lighthouse beach, one of the six public beaches on the island. You have a chance to find lots of different types of shells in Florida! All that is required to shell are one's hands and bags to put the shells in. Sanibel beaches are some of the most unique beaches in the world, too. It can be difficult or impossible to get to some of the finest shelling beaches if there is no nearby lodge. WIND CAVE SD Bowman's Beach. Sanibel Island has breathtaking white sand beaches, clear blue water and an abundance of colorful shells that have been dubbed "Treasures From the Sea.". Although it should go without saying that low tide is usually ideal for discovering and finding the best and largest shells, the incoming tide can also be fruitful. When it comes to seashells, remember that an open bivalve shell (such as a clam, cockle or scallop) does not mean there is no life. People from all over the world come to collect and admire the colorful "Treasures From the Sea". Its low amount of tourists and rare variety of seashells makes it a paradise for all shellers. Turner Beachis the best shelling beach on Sanibel and the Captiva islands. You can look for shells along any Marco Island beach. And there is also Captiva Island for beaches and shelling! They cache more than 250 kinds of seashells from the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean regions. The larger shells tend to wash ashore more frequently as you work your way along the coast toward the west end. SOUTH DAKOTA Please return to water. See for yourself whySanibel is one of the best shelling attractions on the planet. Monitoring the tides and wind direction will help you find the rare shells you seek for your collection. Sanibel is so great for shelling, it stands to reason the beach just to the north Captiva -- is also really good. First, youll need the right equipment. The fighting conch is one of the most common shells on Sanibel and Captiva Islands, and you can recognize it by looking out for the brilliant orange color. addy96e8d58e4046721c2e14e150e6423097 = addy96e8d58e4046721c2e14e150e6423097 + 'sanibelisland' + '.' + 'com'; 1640 Periwinkle Way, Suite 1 Please note that Captiva beaches do not allow pets. They're hunting for treasure. Nature. You may also be interested in shelling at Caladesi Island State Park. This is the Captiva Island beach thats just across from bridge from Sanibel Island. It doesnt take much to go shelling in Florida, but you may want to pack extra things for your Florida shelling trip like a shell scooper! Shell at low tide preferably and after a storm. Thanks for stopping by! Its one of the best state parks in Southwest Florida. On my latest trip to Sanibel, I came armed with a list of places I wanted to go shelling, but after doing some research into the area I found out that the best shelling in the area wasnt actually on Sanibel, but at nearby Cayo Costa State Park. HAWAII EVERYDAY ESSENTIALS Contact us today to learn more. The beauty with this beach is you need to drive by many other scenic beaches on the way to it. During a The suggested time you give yourself is 2.5 hours. But Tigertail Beach is known as the best shelling beach on Marco Island. To fully appreciate the waterways aroundFort Myersand its Gulf coast beaches and the hundreds of islands, set sail. Tarpon Beach is a great family-friendly spot thats perfect for shelling. You have plenty of choices. LANAI Youll discover a natural barrier island coastline, with wildlife that includes soaring ospreys and playful dolphins-- and a bounty of shells, as the islands are uniquely positioned to collect shell deposits from the Gulf of Mexico. Where did you find your shells on Sanibel? Or what is the best time of day to go to Sanibel beach for shelling? This isnt the easiest beach to visit on Sanibel (mostly because of the parking), but if shelling is your priority, this is the spot you dont want to Beachfront. Bring a bucket or net bag and a scoop. Restrooms are located at all public beach accesses. ~Maya. Lucky for you, there are usually fewer folks at Blind Pass than Lighthouse Beach, mainly due to the longer drive and limited parking., Maybe youve noticed a theme with the first two locations being at opposite ends of the island. You can look for shells at this beach too. Sanibel is a perfect destination, especially for spring break, with its gorgeous shores and fun activities perfect for all ages. C.R.O.W. 4 min read. I picked up almost a dozen sand dollars (and I was kind of at the back of the pack of people on our boat who headed the direction where the sand dollars are most often found) and found quite a few lightning whelks, olives, and even some urchins. Apr 29, 2023, 5:01 PM. A remarkable area with rare shells but few people, Sanibel and Captiva Islands are home to the best, IN SEARCH OF THE BEST SHELLING BEACH ON SANIBEL. The boat doesnt move locations on this shelling trip to pick you up somewhere else down the beach. Wear waterproof shoes and hike down to the park's Sculptured Beach for the best tide-pool viewing and shelling. You should clean the shells right away in freshwater, with a little bleach if possible. Lovers Key is a destination for beachside weddings and a home for manatees, roseate spoonbills, and bald eagles. Although these beaches are the best for shelling, they are not the ideal beaches for swimming. All of our Sanibel beaches are great for shelling. Or what is the best time of day to go to Sanibel beach for shelling? To get you started, the list below will take you through some of the best beaches in Florida for shelling. Water will be a brownish color, change water frequently until fairly clear or just continually flush with water until water stays fairly clear. Tarpon Bay Road Beach Park. This stays true for Turner Beach at the pass between Sanibel and Captiva, where waters flush through, bringing both shells and fish. Wearing polarized sunglasses will aid in shell hunting on the sand and in the ocean. COPYRIGHT 2023 | ROYAL SHELL | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | SITEMAP | PRIVACY POLICY, Florida Locations: Bonita Springs | Estero | Cape Coral | Captiva Island Fort Myers | Naples | Marco Island | Ocala | Sanibel Island Any questions? At the easternmost tip of Sanibel Island, Lighthouse Beach is the first island beach roadblock for seashells washing ashore from southern seas, resulting in large quantities. I found quite a few sand dollars in knee to mid thigh deep water and probably wouldve found way more if I had stayed out longer but I caught a pretty big wave and called it quits ; ) If the weather is warm though and youre wearing a swimsuit, you should be able to find tons. Sea Turtle Nesting Season: While the island is still in various stages of recovery, mother nature is right on track. This is a Florida shell identification guide that was provided near Sanibel Island shelling beaches. WebBowmans Beach. The museum opened in 1995 with dozens of seashell exhibits and expanded in 2021 with aquariums and touch tanks filled with live mollusks, which include octopi and cuttlefish in addition to seashells. Low tide is best to venture out and find seashells. If it is brown with spikes, it is most likely alive. Two of America's most greatest innovators, Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, chose Fort Myers as their winter homes and as an extension of their friendship. Return them to the water. After collecting your seashells, take a fun and educational trip to the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum to learn more and compare your finds. Its not unusual at the best Florida shelling beaches to see people sitting in shallow water in search of shells! Its normally operated on a motorized catamaran that makes the trip from Captiva to Cayo Costa in about 30 minutes, but the day before our trip I got a call that the boat had been taken in for repairs and we would be sailing on a sailing catamaran (which also had a motor) so our trip was extended a bit until 12:30PM or so since it would take longer to get there and back. moves back home Apr 05, 2023. Blue Skies, Sunshine and Summertime on Sanibel Captiva Islands, What to do on Sanibel-Captiva this Summer, Sanibel Captiva Chamber of Commerce 60th Anniversary Annual Meeting. Due to their close location, they have a lot of the same elements, such as the number of tourists. If you are both a shell enthusiast and an angler, Turner Beach is also an appealing beach destination. Although Sanibel property values for single-family homes and condos will dip in the immediate future, they ultimately will appreciate above pre-hurricane levels, Royal Shell Real Estate and Royal Shell Vacations President and Managing Partner Michael Polly told members of the Sanibel and Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce on April 12 at This long, skinny island just north of Captiva (the island north of Sanibel) is a state park with no roads or bridges. There were 20 or so people lined up waiting to get on the boat when we got back to the dock and well, you know what they say about shellingthe early bird gets the worm. When we were there most restaurants in the area werent opening until 8AM and I didnt want to be rushed trying to grab breakfast in Sanibel early and make it to Captiva on time. We were advised to arrive at the resort around 8:30 which was good advice because its a good little drive from the guard shack at the resort entrance back to the marina. Its a bit cooler after a storm, but we promise the shells are worth it! Conde Nast Traveler names Bowman Beach one of the nation's top 24 beaches. Ready for an unforgettabletour ofSanibel Island beaches? This makes them very accessible to shellers. While the intention is to rebuild, the causeway has been fixed, and the island is expected to begin opening to tourism in January 2023, things are not back to normal and likely wont be for a long time. Sanibel City Pier beach. VISIT FLORIDA is a service mark of the Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation, d/b/a VISIT FLORIDA, registered in the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. Its not unusual at the best shelling beaches in Florida to see people walking into the water with their shelling stick! You can go to compare your seashells collected to the shells in the museum. For shell picking on Sanibel, timing is critical. For some, it can be an almost-healing, disciplinary activity. MICHIGAN Unless you have your own boat, the best way to get to Cayo Costa for shelling is on a shelling tour with Captiva Cruises . Blind Pass, Bowmans Beach, and Lighthouse Beach, Sanibel Island. HALEAKALA HI Whether you are starting your collection or adding to your current one, make the trip past all the other astounding beaches. We hope this helps give you a place to start when shelling on Sanibel Island. var addy96e8d58e4046721c2e14e150e6423097 = 'advertising' + '@'; WHAT MAKES TURNER BEACH SO UNFORGETTABLE? Visitors should be very careful with where they step throughout the spawning season. The proper way to determine this depends on the kind of seashell or mineral. Sanibel Island, Florida 33957 THEODORE ROOSEVELT ND Note, Lighthouse beach is probably the busiest beach on the island. Gulfside City Beach Park. When collecting a seashell or specimen from a beach, make sure that there is no longer a living creature inside of it. Logo and Sandalfoot are Service Marks of: Sandalfoot Employee Relief Go Fund Me Page, Website WHAT TO WEAR HIKING, 2023 Flashpacking America | US outdoor travel blog, historically destructive hurricane in September 2022, pack extra things for your Florida shelling trip, swimming goggles or snorkeling gear for shelling, Shelling cruise to Keewaydin Island from Naples, best beaches for shelling in all of the United States, How to make reservations for Koreshan State Park, How to make reservations for Collier-Seminole State Park, How to make reservations for Cayo Costa State Park, Driving from Tampa to Miami with shelling stops, Koreshan State Park campground (30-40 minutes from Sanibel Island, 20-30 minutes to Bonita Beach and Fort Myers Beach), Collier-Seminole State Park campground (20 minutes from Marco Island). Remember,maintainingand cleaning your seashellsis all part of being asavvy shell hunter. The further you walk from the public parking areas, the better chance youll have of finding unique shells this goes for any beach access point.. Keep in mind that both beaches have limited parking, and you cannot use your Sanibel beach parking receipt on Captiva beaches. Once we got to Cayo Costa we had just under two hours until we needed to be back on the boat. Plus, theyve got nature trails and kayak launches! Justvisitour websiteand take a virtual webcam tour right now. So it is no surprise that shelling on Sanibel and Captiva islands is on most shellers bucket lists. If youre already well-versed in Sanibel beach parks, a little refresher wont hurt. ZION UT We had come prepared with sweatshirts and beach blankets and it was still pretty brisk so pack accordingly. There is a parking fee along with bathrooms and outdoor showers. If you can go after a storm the shelling choices will be even better. You will be just a few minutes walk away from a shelling beach! And they sell maps, guides and shell posters too. This leaves the best shelling beach on Sanibel Island free of crowds. This prevents any smells or dirt from sticking to the seashells. I would definitely do this cruise again or try the full day cruise to Northern Cayo Costa where you get four hours of shelling time (youd definitely want to pack a cooler for that one). There are several public beaches on Sanibel Island and you can find shells at all Sanibel Island beaches. So if you want to go swimming at a Sanibel or Captiva Island beach, it is best to swim with caution or choose a safer beach. Once descended, some gorgeous beauties could be found. This beach has a good-sized parking lot, but you will have to walk a bit to get to the beach. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. You will find that Turner beach is the best shelling beach around. One of the best Florida state parks for shelling is also still closed. 5400 Plantation Rd, Captiva Island. Our guide to Sanibels public beach parks includes information about: Pets are allowed on Sanibel beaches, but they must follow the rules and be leashed, and owners must clean up after them.
