Pams blog is the go to place for Sanibel Island Shelling Tips, Shelling Adventures, and a sea of great photographs of beaches and shellers. What to Pack When You Travel to Southwest Florida, Creative Ways to Find Laptop Sunshade and Work from the Beach. Sanibel Island is known as one of the best spots for shelling in Florida. Blind Pass beach also has an online rating thats almost as good as Turner beach. Some people create shell art right on the beach. See current fees. 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. Youll be relatively secluded, thoughif thats what youre looking for. This is a structure that reaches from the beach through the ocean to prevent erosion. 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. Find your Sanibel Home and Learn About Life on Our Island. Once descended, some gorgeous beauties could be found. 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). Its the perfect way to relax. Wearing polarized sunglasses will aid in shell hunting on the sand and in the ocean. Tourist information provided by the Sanibel-Captiva Chamber. This is a Florida shell identification guide for the Florida Gulf Coast that was posted near Honeymoon Island shelling beaches. You can look for shells along any Marco Island beach. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Please note that alcoholic beverages are prohibited November through May. Via. NORTH DAKOTA And as a result, there are plenty of interesting minerals for shellers to pick through and admire. This stays true for Turner Beach at the pass between Sanibel and Captiva, where waters flush through, bringing both shells and fish. Maria is a travel passionate who loves to share her knowledge and experience with others to help them enjoy their planned excursion. var path = 'hr' + 'ef' + '='; You might also consider going shelling after a storm when the tides have been a bit rough and are more likely to bring shells up to the shore. BRYCE CANYON UT Wake up and walk out onto a gorgeous white sand beach and look out at the glorious Gulf of Mexico as the sun shines on its emerald-turquoise waves. There are nature trails to enjoy if youd like a change of scenery. Imagine yourself breathing in the fresh air and listening to the sounds of the Gulf of Mexico without a care in the world. Bowmans Beach Park. For example, if you are taking a sand dollar, make sure it is a bleach white color with no hairs. You can make it a day trip for shelling at Cayo Costa State Park, or if youve got some time to spare, you can make it a night (or more!) So you might want to make it a Honeymoon Island shelling hike from North Beach! The beaches are on man-made islands that were built to help support the causeway, which connects Sanibel to the mainland in Fort Myers. Decide if youd like a public tour, with four to six guests, or a private tour with six guests maximum per boat. Just keep an eye on the clock because however far down the beach you go, youll have to come back. The saying "earlier is better" is certainly true when it comes to shelling. Privacy & Legal Notice. 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.. Turner Beach is often considered one of the best shelling beaches on Captiva Island. 1159 Causeway BlvdSanibel Island, FL 33957, Copyright 2019 Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce | All Rights Reserved Worldwide. Whether you are starting your collection or adding to your current one, make the trip past all the other astounding beaches. And the survey says: Turner Beach at Blind Pass on Captiva Island rates 4.6 stars with almost 3,400 evaluations on Google Reviews. Shelling is an exciting hobby, and theres alwayssomething to learn about it. moves back home Apr 05, 2023. Local laws prohibit the collection of live shells. Report inappropriate content. Explore more things to do in Southwest Florida! OAHU Monitoring the tides and wind direction will help you find the rare shells you seek for your collection. Up to 30,000 visitors come to Sanibel and its neighbor island Captiva each week at peak season (December to April). If it is open and then closes after you touch it, it is definitely alive. 1159 Causeway BlvdSanibel Island, FL 33957, Copyright 2019 Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce | All Rights Reserved Worldwide. For a tasty breakfast or lunch, visit Lighthouse Cafe nearby. 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. Many of the islands beach parks and accesses are tucked out of sight. Parking, however, is limited, so arrive early, especially at a low tide or after a storm, when shelling is best. Its one of the best state parks in Southwest Florida. Caladesi Island is also considered to have some of the best shelling in Florida. Quick list of where to find some of the best shelling beaches in Florida: ROAD TRIP AMERICA ZION UT Lighthouse Beach on Sanibel is the place to go if youre hunting for smaller shells. You may also be interested in stopping by the National Shell Museum on Sanibel Island. WebYoull find the best shelling in Sanibel Island along all the Gulf-side beaches, from the Lighthouse to North Captiva. WebSanibel Island Beaches Sanibel Island has breathtaking white sand beaches, clear blue water and an abundance of colorful shells that have been dubbed "Treasures From the This barrier island that sits positioned just perfectly on Floridas Gulf Coast to catch whatever treasures storms stir up in the ocean is famous for being the best shelling spot in Florida. When strolling the beaches, shellers must maintain the darkness because even the smallest percentage of artificial light may damage the eggs and disorient the baby sea turtles from making it to the ocean. addy96e8d58e4046721c2e14e150e6423097 = addy96e8d58e4046721c2e14e150e6423097 + 'sanibelisland' + '.' + 'com'; Via Hotels Fairy. When looking on aSanibel Island map, you may notice that Blind Pass Beach is right next to Turner Beach, which is also ranked among the best shelling spots on Sanibel Island. WebSanibel fishing pier and lighthouse beach, one of the six public beaches on the island. UTAH Bring a bucket or net bag and a scoop. From the tiny dock, it was a short walk down a boardwalk to the beach. It stretches far into the water which is great for fishing or taking photos. Its a bit cooler after a storm, but we promise the shells are worth it! The suggested time you give yourself is 2.5 hours. 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! Turner Beach is different than Lighthouse beach in Sanibel, Florida, which is also rumored to be the best shelling beach on Sanibel Island. Conde Nast Traveler names Bowman Beach one of the nation's top 24 beaches. managed by RealTech Webmasters. Its not normally as busy as other island beaches. Photo Credit: Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau. 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! The eyes will be properly protected from UV rays and the bright sun, which can make it difficult to see the finest shells. Please return to water. And its part of section 10-62 of the Sanibel code, which states that dogs must be leashed on beaches, public property or on any public right-of-way. It was probably 65 degrees at 9AM (beginning of December) but overcast and with the wind it was pretty cool. If shelling is your goal, then you must go to the Gulf Coast of Florida! As water rushes through Blind Pass from the Gulf, shells collect on both shorelines, Blind Pass Beach on Sanibel, and Turner Beach on Captiva. Sanibel Island, Florida 33957 Bivalves, on the other hand, have a shell with two hinged parts called valves. One example here is the cockleshell, which is common here but rare in other areas of the world. PICTURED ROCKS MI This structure reaches from the beach into the Gulf of Mexico to prevent erosion. Privacy Notice: We use cookies on our website to enhance your experience. Keep in mind a fishing license is required to collect these coquina shells. The waters of Sanibel Island beaches have a gradual slope, which allows shells to be washed up on the shoreline extremely easily. 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. People think it catches shells differently, Burgard says. That is understandable. No collecting of live shells. This is also the only Sanibel beach with barbeque grills, so keep this in mind if youre planning to grill out. Or what is the best time of day to go to Sanibel beach for shelling? WebTop 3 Best Beaches for Shelling on Sanibel Island Its hard to choose the best beach for shelling on Sanibel since the entire island is a mecca for seashell enthusiasts. If you want to follow along on my travel adventures in real time, you can follow me on Instagram (@caitylincoln). 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. And one of the things that makes Cayo Costa State Park special is that you need to go by boat to get there! But if we 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. This is one of the reasons why Sanibel is known as one of the best shelling destinations in the world. I hear the shell exhibits at the museum are fabulous! All that is required to shell are one's hands and bags to put the shells in. 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!). And next time Im in the area, Im planning to do another cruise with Captiva Cruises to either Useppa Island or Cabbage Key. Captiva Island beaches have a These have over 250 kinds of seashells from the Gulf of Mexico and Carribean regions. And there is also Captiva Island for beaches and shelling! More information: A spectacular Sanibel Island sunset captured by Nature Study. Where did you find your shells on Sanibel? . This beach has a good-sized parking lot, but you will have to walk a bit to get to the beach. Your experience may vary! Tarpon Beach is a great family-friendly spot thats perfect for shelling. Therefore, they are recommended to throw them back into the ocean! Do you heart Sanibel? Its relatively low number of visitors and rare variety of seashells make it a haven for all shellers. When collecting a shell or animal from a beach, make sure that there is no longer a living creature inside of it. When the cruises leave from the resort marina, youll need to pay $5 cash at the guard shack for parking (when they leave from their other location, they collect your parking fee online when you checkout). Gulfside City Beach Park. Walking this Sanibel beach is a treat. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners. And here are some Sanibel shelling facts and tips you want to know: Now let the Happy Shelling begin! So keep an eye out for brown dots! The Gulf Coast island near Fort Myers benefits from its east-west orientation. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Interestingly, Sanibel was also home to pirates who could have buried their treasures there, so tourists can try their luck at finding some. 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. 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. So lets shellebrate Sanibel, a lush shell hunting paradise where waves and currents funnel hundreds of species of shells right onto the beaches! 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). Lighthouse beach is a common area for shells to wash up on the shore, resulting in large quantities. When staying in a close place, it becomes simpler to leave in the early morning to go shelling before other shellers arrive. 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. Thus, most people choose a beach along the way and never reach Turner beach. 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. Save. This museum opened in 1995 with dozens of seashell exhibits. var addy_text3aa4edd50788e863c9742e65823c8950 = 'info' + '@' + 'sanibelisland' + '.' + 'com';document.getElementById('cloak3aa4edd50788e863c9742e65823c8950').innerHTML += ''+addy_text3aa4edd50788e863c9742e65823c8950+'<\/a>'; Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. In gastropods such as conchs and whelks, you can usually see the live mollusk tucked inside. There are many gulf coast beaches you can go to whereif you look hard enough you will find at least a few shells! Lighthouse Beach is just off the causeway, to your left at the first intersection. 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. This is a Florida shell identification guide for Paradise Coast that was posted near Marco Island shelling beaches. We have a variety of Sanibel Island condo rentals to choose from. 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! Stay overnight and you can search for shells along the Gulf Coast as you watch the sunset! To get you started, the list below will take you through some of the best beaches in Florida for shelling. our few days turned into a month, and we had so much fun picking up shells and just enjoying the beautiful beach! , Hi Angie! 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 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. (Limited parking means limited people on the beach!). I booked the half day morning trip (9AM-12PM) to Southern Cayo Costa. 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. 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. If you can go after a storm the shelling choices will be even better. What fun to go shelling along the surf and beaches of Sanibel Island, unique in that it lies east and west, different than most islands which lie north and south, this direction allows Sanibel Island to catch abundant sea shells that the Gulf of Mexico brings to its shores. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. But the area is very popular with beachgoers and shellers because the beach is close to the causeway and because it has a large parking lot and a fishing pier. And even more than that, Sanibel Island beaches are known for being the best beaches for shelling in all of the United States! Blind Pass Beach is also popular with shellers, but be aware that there are no restrooms on the Sanibel side. The Sanibel City Pier, also commonly called the Sanibel fishing pier, LANAI var prefix = 'ma' + 'il' + 'to'; Learn more in ourCookie Noticeand ourPrivacy Policy. 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Please note that Captiva beaches do not allow pets. Although these beaches are the best for shelling, they are not the ideal beaches for swimming. (Remember to only LOOK if you find something thats alive! Via Hotels Fairy. Also, they mentioned that they had water and soda available for purchase on the boat, but youre welcome to bring your own as well. Copyright 2023 Sandalfoot Condominium Association, Inc. all rights reserved -. If you have never been, I strongly suggest you find your way there real soon!! REYNA: I found the two shells in the water, both on Sanibel Island and both about 15-20 feet offshore. P.S. 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. For outdooradventures, consider the Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, a way station for migratory birds and a home for manatees and dolphins. I think this cruise is a BARGAIN and 100% worth the time and money. There are 2 public beaches on Captiva Island, and once again, you can find shells at all Captiva Island beaches. Photo by Anne McKinnell. West Wind Island Resort demolished Mar 29, 2023. You can bike to this beach on the Periwinkle pathway (you can see it on the map). Pets must be leashed and owners must cleanup after their pets. Maria promotes initiatives that make the world a better place to live and enjoy! Related: Shell Island Is A Hidden Secret In Panama, Florida. For instance, what are the rules or laws in the area for taking shells? Its 2.5 miles one way to Honeymoon Islands north tip, and 2.5 miles back. Sanibel is a perfect destination, especially for spring break, with its gorgeous shores and fun activities perfect for all ages. Sanibels most coveted shell, the Junonia. This prevents any smells or dirt from sticking to the seashells. PEARL HARBOR HI (239) 472-1950, Average Homeowner Tenureship is Now 10 Years, Sanibel Island Resident Finds 9 Junonia Shells!, Hurricane-Damaged Homes on Sanibel, What Buyers Need To Know. Thus, most people choose a beach along the way and never reach Turner Beach. Positive news from Blue Dolphin Apr 02, 2023. The parking area was easy to find and there was a crew member there to direct us to the marina and they also had a golf cart if you needed a ride (but it was a pretty close walk). Low tide is best to venture out and find seashells. We got to the marina about 10 minutes early and were treated to a pretty good show by some local manatees so the time flew by. We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. This is one of the most popular tourist spots on Sanibel Island. 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 The islands unique formation and east-west stretch is ideal for finding special shell treasures. Apr 29, 2023, 5:01 PM. It can be difficult or impossible to get to some of the finest shelling beaches if there is no nearby lodge. Youll find it on the west end of Sanibel, nearly on the way to Captiva. Both cash and credit cards are accepted. And they sell maps, guides and shell posters too. Finding seashells requires patience and effort. The points of an island are often the best for both fishing and shelling. Sanibel Island beachesare considered to be where to go for the absolute best shelling in Florida! Shell at low tide preferably and after a storm. They can also search for shells in tidal pools that develop between a small sandbar and the shore that forms just offshore when the tide is low. Bring bucket, net bag and scoop, sun lotion and hat. Loggerhead sea turtles have often been known to visit this beach. You will be just a few minutes walk away from a shelling beach! Finding fossils can also be done during the off-season, which is during the colder months because the beaches will be less crowded and there will be fewer UV rays. 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 Every beach has different characteristics, with shells of different kinds and qualities. Turner Beach is different from Lighthouse Beach in Sanibel, Florida, which also rates high for the best shelling beach on Sanibel Island. These beaches are your first impression of Sanibel Island and its not a bad one, if we do say so ourselves. I found shells in Florida in April 2022. If youre planning a visit to our Sanibel Island rentals, you simply cant leave without hunting for some seashells. Its one the largest beaches and one of our favorites! Moreover though, out of all the ways to spend a day on Sanibel, shelling is a top activity; it's not only a ton of fun but also extremely addictive.
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best beach on sanibel island for shelling