It was probably 65 degrees at 9AM (beginning of December) but overcast and with the wind it was pretty cool. There are days here when you have layers of shells four feet thick, the director of the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum said in an article by the New York Times. One day I aim to visit. You will be just a few minutes walk away from a shelling beach! At $45/adult for 3-3.5 hours, thats a pretty good value. We had come prepared with sweatshirts and beach blankets and it was still pretty brisk so pack accordingly. The city ofSanibel Island, located along the Gulf of Mexico just a short drive from Fort Myers, is justly famed for its sunsets, lighthouse, and luxurious resorts. This beach has a good-sized parking lot, but you will have to walk a bit to get to the beach. Turner Beach is often considered one of the best shelling beaches on Captiva Island. The beauty with this beach is you need to drive by many other scenic beaches on the way to it. You will drive through Sanibel Island to get to Captiva Island. I am already a big followers of Pams blog to. In addition, Sanibel Island is both family- and pet-friendly, has many wonderful beaches to discover, and is filled with luxurious homes that can accommodate a wide range of visitors. Save. The crew gave us some tips about which direction to head depending on what we were looking for and I decided to head to the right since it was more common to find sand dollars down that way. Caution: Do not soak too long in bleach solution as sand dollar may crumble. One was at Tarpon Bay Beach and the other was at Bowmans Bay Beach. By Lauren Tjaden The National Weather Service tweeted that today theres a 115 degree temperature difference between Key West, Fla., and Great By Chelle Koster Walton Hills and two Caloosahatchee rivers! Also on Sanibel Island, sea turtles come to deposit their eggs. Privacy & Legal Notice. If youre planning a visit to our Sanibel Island rentals, you simply cant leave without hunting for some seashells. Wear waterproof shoes and hike down to the park's Sculptured Beach for the best tide-pool viewing and shelling. And they sell maps, guides and shell posters too. What you should do depends on what you are using the shells for. Blind Pass Beach is a very close second to Turner beach when it comes to the best shelling spots on Sanibel island. There is the Cayo Costa State Park campground, so you can go tent camping. Parking, however, is limited, so arrive early, especially at a low tide or after a storm, when shelling is best. If shelling is your goal, then you must go to the Gulf Coast of Florida! We didn't find any large size shells (8 inches or bigger); the fighting conchs were the largest we found. With paint brush cover sand dollar with mixture. Both Turner Beach and Blind Pass Beach are popular for fishing, shelling and board sports. We affectionately call this the "Sanibel Stoop!". WebYoull find the best shelling in Sanibel Island along all the Gulf-side beaches, from the Lighthouse to North Captiva. COME VISIT THE BEST SHELLING BEACH ON SANIBEL. Sanibel Island, Southwest Gulf Coast Sundial Beach Resort & Spa 3,818 Reviews View Hotel Sanibel Island, Southwest Gulf Coast West Wind Island Resort 3,145 Reviews View Hotel Sanibel Island, Southwest Gulf Coast Casa Ybel Resort 850 Reviews View Hotel Sanibel Island, Southwest Gulf Coast Waterside Inn on the Beach 760 Reviews Gulfside City Beach Park. In addition to being a haven for shell collectors, Sanibel Island is also known for being a stunning location for sunbathing. THEODORE ROOSEVELT ND If youre planning to visit the area, make sure to do plenty of research to find out whats open, whats available and whats just not even there anymore. If you can go after a storm the shelling choices will be even better. Captiva Island beach parking can be difficult, as the parking lots are small. You may also be interested in shelling at Caladesi Island State Park. Please note that alcoholic beverages are prohibited November through May. 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. Restrooms are located at all public beach accesses. Stay overnight and you can search for shells along the Gulf Coast as you watch the sunset! Seashells are important to the islands chain of life and it is against the law to collect live shells, same is true for neighboring Captiva island. You may also be interested in stopping by the Honeymoon Island Nature Center. 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. var addy_text3aa4edd50788e863c9742e65823c8950 = 'info' + '@' + 'sanibelisland' + '.' + 'com';document.getElementById('cloak3aa4edd50788e863c9742e65823c8950').innerHTML += '
'+addy_text3aa4edd50788e863c9742e65823c8950+'<\/a>'; Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. Keep in mind a fishing license is required to collect these coquina shells. WebThe most valuable shell by most is the Junonia shell, which we have found more than any company in Southwest Florida. To enjoy solitude and completely natural surroundings, try hiking the North Beach. So, here are some tips for visitors on Sanibel shelling in this slice of heaven that will show them where, when, and how to find the finest shells and build a stunning collection. Photo by Jim Anderson. REYNA: I found the two shells in the water, both on Sanibel Island and both about 15-20 feet offshore. Keep in mind that both beaches have limited parking, and you cannot use your Sanibel beach parking receipt on Captiva beaches. My fianc and I went last June, and planned on staying a few days. Bring a bucket or net bag and a scoop. Its a local favorite! Plus, theyve got nature trails and kayak launches! Positive news from Blue Dolphin Apr 02, 2023. To get you started, the list below will take you through some of the best beaches in Florida for shelling. CAPTIVA ISLAND. Where did you find your shells on Sanibel? This prevents any smells or dirt from sticking to the seashells. For tourists seeking a beach getaway, Florida is home to several mesmerizing islands, including the paradisiac Sanibel Island, which is a barrier island located in the Gulf of Mexico. WebSanibel fishing pier and lighthouse beach, one of the six public beaches on the island. After collecting your seashells, take a fun and educational trip to the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum to learn more and compare your finds. For family fun, the most popular activity on Sanibel Island is shelling you barely can walk a step on the beach without indulging in the so-called "Sanibel Stoop" to search for shells. HALEAKALA HI Many of our beach vacation homes and condos have easy access to Sanibels white sand beaches, too. Edison & Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers, Luminary Hotel & Co in Downtown Fort Myers Review, Matlacha Isles & Pine Island: A Great Fort Myers Day Trips. While on the hunt for shells, chances are that you will see dolphins and manatees. Lighthouse beach, along with Blind Pass (between Sanibel and Captiva) are the two top destinations for shelling. It took almost a full hour to motor to Cayo Costa (there wasnt a good wind for sailing) and it was CHILLY. There are NO facilities at this part of Cayo Costa so you need to bring everything you want with you (but there is a restroom on the boat). To get you started, you likely will not be disappointed if you make Bowmans Beach your one and only Sanibel Island shelling beach to visit! Local news updates at 6-month point Mar 30, 2023. Captiva Island beaches have a You may also be interested in stopping by the National Shell Museum on Sanibel Island. And whats the best advice for keeping seashells? For a tasty breakfast or lunch, visit Lighthouse Cafe nearby. Sanibel and Captiva Islands are barrier islands with an east-west orientation. Plenty of roomavailable. Cash and credit cards are accepted. You may want to bring swimming goggles or snorkeling gear for shelling! In addition to a gorgeous white sand beach, there is a historic lighthouse, fishing pier and boardwalk nature trail. You can make it a multi-day Florida shelling trip by staying in a rustic camping cabin at Cayo Costa State Park! is the best shelling beach on Sanibel and the Captiva islands. 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. Give us a call today so we can help you start planning the perfect Sanibel beach vacation. Susan was exposed to real estate while young with her parent's 8 Re/MAX offices in Connecticut! If you are new to shell collecting, you may not know the right protocol for when you take your new seashells home. Somewhere in Lee County, Florida dwells every new and experienced shellers dream. If collectors are found taking live shells from the shore, they may be subject to a costly fine, not to mention doing so can have negative effects on the environment. 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. PEARL HARBOR HI WebWe found several fighting conchs, lightning whelks, olives, 1 nice murex, lots of augers, ark shells, cockles, 2 small cones, lots of jewel box shells and so on. But for our friends who are just discovering Sanibel beaches, you are in for a real treat. our few days turned into a month, and we had so much fun picking up shells and just enjoying the beautiful beach! Dont forget a bag, sunscreen and water. Just. The beaches are narrow and not the best for collecting seashells, but theyre perfect for lounging on the beach and soaking up the sun with a good book. Youll want to master the Sanibel stoop, which is the bending-at-the-hips motion youll use to grab a shell from the sand. Return them to the water. Bowmans Beach is another good option that tends to be less crowded. Lighthouse beach, along with Blind Pass (between Sanibel and Captiva) are the two top destinations for shelling. Its one of the best state parks in Southwest Florida. What to Pack When You Travel to Southwest Florida, Creative Ways to Find Laptop Sunshade and Work from the Beach. Its 2.5 miles one way to Honeymoon Islands north tip, and 2.5 miles back. You may be wondering why this beach is so unoccupied if it is wonderful. Everybody comes to Sanibel for the shelling, right? Blind Pass beach also has an online rating thats almost as good as Turner beach. You might also want to revisit the Waterside Inn, those fruity colored rental cottages right on the beach in Sanibel. UTAH However, they take a little work to find. Sanibel fishing pier and lighthouse beach, one of the six public beaches on the island.