Your Sanibel Island Shelling Trip Awaits You!

Sanibel Island shelling is a favorite pastime on this little slice of paradise.

The Sanibel “Stoop” has become a popular stance in these parts. Once you start searching for your treasures, you will most likely be “stooped” over for a while. Once you start you will not want to stop. Believe me I know, it happens every time I go shelling, especially when I’m in the seashell capital of the world!

When is the best time go shelling?

December through April is known to be the best time for beach shells. The winter storms drive the beautiful shells up on the beaches. A good time for shell seekers is after any type storm.

Low tide is the best time of the day for shelling on any beach and will expose even more of these treasures of the sea. The low tides also allow you to walk out onto the sandbars, which is pretty cool. Just make sure to walk back before the tides comes back in!

And if you’re lucky enough to be here during a full or new moon, that’s all the better. The tides recede more during a full or new moon.

Why is Sanibel Island shelling so great?

Unlike most barrier islands in Florida which run north to south, Sanibel Island lies east to west. The island and other nearby islands, including Captiva Island, form a large plateau that reaches out into the Gulf of Mexico. This unique and wonderful geography of the island acts as like a giant shovel when the waves wash up its abundance of shells.

What you'll need:

Bring a bucket or a net bag. I’ve used a recyclable grocery bag, and even my pockets, when I've decided to do a little last minute shelling on many of our great Florida beaches. A scoop is another wonderful tool to have.

Wear lightweight shoes when walking on the beach. Shoes make it easier to shuffle for hidden shells and scaring away sting-rays. The sting-rays are common in the area, especially in the summer months.

Some shell seekers have been spotted on the beach at the crack of dawn with head light hats. What a great idea, if I could only get up that early!

The Best Beaches:

For smaller shells visit Lighthouse Beach and make your way north to Captiva for larger shells.

Blind Pass and Bowman's Beach are just a few more popular beaches for shelling.

A few more tips:

Remember, Florida Law prohibits the collecting of live shells. And in J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, shelling of any kind allowed is not allowed.

Before you go shelling visit the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum.

There you can learn the difference between a lions paw,lightning whelks, olive shells or a junonia shells, the most prized shell on the island.

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