This leaves the best shelling beach on Sanibel island free of crowds. Since its a smaller catamaran (or boat), theyre actually able to dock at Cayo Costa which is nice instead of landing at the beach and wading in. 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). You will drive through Sanibel Island to get to Captiva Island. Everybody comes to Sanibel for the shelling, right? Its relatively low number of visitors and rare variety of seashells make it a haven for all shellers. However, there is one time thats preferable: low tide. You will be just a few minutes walk away from a shelling beach! Do you heart Sanibel? managed by RealTech Webmasters. (You might find Marco Island water temperature in the winter to be cold though! WIND CAVE SD You can go to compare your seashells collected to the shells in the museum. BADLANDS SD Once descended, some gorgeous beauties could be found. Of course, there are many great spots to search for seashells, so dont limit yourself just to these three beaches. Please note that alcoholic beverages are prohibited November through May. And I was very happy with the amount and kind of shells I found. For more shelling tips and facts keep scrolling! 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. Youll find the best shelling in Sanibel Island along all the Gulf-side beaches, from the Lighthouse to North Captiva. Live sea stars, on the other hand, will be flexible and often still wriggling. Yet, there are warning signs posted 24-7 about swimming because of the severe current. As a result, Sanibel and Captiva are at an advantageous position the oceans current literally delivers the shells to you. This is a structure that reaches from the beach through the ocean to prevent erosion. With so many beaches to choose from, it could be difficult to know which is best for collecting seashells. This beach is toward the middle of the island along Algiers Lane off Casa Ybel Road. 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. 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. 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. ARIZONA WHAT MAKES TURNER BEACH SO UNFORGETTABLE? var addy_text3aa4edd50788e863c9742e65823c8950 = 'info' + '@' + 'sanibelisland' + '.' + 'com';document.getElementById('cloak3aa4edd50788e863c9742e65823c8950').innerHTML += ''+addy_text3aa4edd50788e863c9742e65823c8950+'<\/a>'; Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. People think it catches shells differently, Burgard says. And even more than that, Sanibel Island beaches are known for being the best beaches for shelling in all of the United States! Whether you are starting your collection or adding to your current one, make the trip past all the other astounding beaches. The Sanibel City Pier, also commonly called the Sanibel fishing pier, Well, this spot wasnt better, but it was better than I thought it was going to be. This is the beach at the farthest west end of Sanibel Island, just before the bridge to Captiva Island. For example, what are the rules or laws in the area for taking shells? Susan was exposed to real estate while young with her parent's 8 Re/MAX offices in Connecticut! This is an island right next to Sanibel Island. When sighting a lot of Sand Dollars and 9-Legged Sea Stars in the waters, that means that it is the spawning season. 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. This is because of the difference in tourism. Which is good, because as of early 2023, Sanibel Island beaches are still closed from the historically destructive hurricane in September 2022. Save. Both Turner Beach and Blind Pass Beach are popular for fishing, shelling and board sports. To get you started, the list below will take you through some of the best beaches in Florida for shelling. You may also be interested in stopping by the National Shell Museum on Sanibel Island. Always wear shoes to protect your feet, and as youre walking, shuffle your feet to scare away fish and expose hidden mollusks in the sand. The best way to discover the greatest shells is by getting in the water and getting positioned where the waves break. Explore more things to do in Southwest Florida! There is the Cayo Costa State Park campground, so you can go tent camping. Best pools on Sanibel? Whether this will be the start of your collection or furthering your current one, make the trip past all the other astounding beaches. A fee of $4 per hour for parking at both Sanibel Island and Captiva Island public beaches. Every beach has different conditions each day, so it pays off Caladesi Island is also considered to have some of the best shelling in Florida. Fresh seafood with a waterfront view. See current fees. 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. But if they are for display, it is necessary to clean them right away. WYOMING Contact us today to learn more. If you have never been, I strongly suggest you find your way there real soon!! Sanibel is so great for shelling, it stands to reason the beach just to the north Captiva -- is also really good. 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. 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 a few other shell beaches that make the top list, such as the one on St. Bart (Caribbean) and at Shark Bay (Australia), but none come close to Sanibels variety of shells. Things are moving along in Captiva which was not impacted to the 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! And next time Im in the area, Im planning to do another cruise with Captiva Cruises to either Useppa Island or Cabbage Key. You may collect sand dollars but first check to make sure that the sand dollar is not alive - turn it over - there are little centipede feet up and down the backside - gently touch them with your finger to see if they move, if they do it's alive and you should gently place it back into the water. The beach was very soft and sandy the day I went, but often at good shelling beaches you dont want to be barefoot. UTAH melsbells88. Some beaches you might not have to look as hard! More information: After collecting your seashells, take a fun and educational trip to the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum to learn more and compare your finds. That is understandable. OAHU NEW YORK This is one of the most popular visitor attractions on Sanibel Island. Many of our beach vacation homes and condos have easy access to Sanibels white sand beaches, too. While on the hunt for shells, chances are that you will see dolphins and manatees. The boat ride to shelling hotspots will take about 15-20 minutes. Captiva Island beach parking can be difficult, as the parking lots are small. Local laws prohibit the collection of live shells. To fully appreciate the waterways aroundFort Myersand its Gulf coast beaches and the hundreds of islands, set sail. This is because of the difference in visitor numbers. If you have a Florida SunPass you can drive straight through and you will automatically be charged. Privacy & Legal Notice. Via. , Hi Angie! Sanibel Island has breathtaking white sand beaches, clear blue water and an abundance of colorful shells that have been dubbed "Treasures From the Sea.". My post captions are full of travel tips and I have a ton of story highlights and videos with great info. var prefix = 'ma' + 'il' + 'to'; You may want to bring swimming goggles or snorkeling gear for shelling! However, they take a little work to find. If you can go after a storm the shelling choices will be even better. Good progress at Loggerhead Mar 30, 2023. Some of the best shelling beaches in the United States are in Florida! This long, skinny island just north of Captiva (the island north of Sanibel) is a state park with no roads or bridges. You may be wondering why this beach is so unoccupied if it is wonderful. Where do you find shells on Sanibel Island? The waters of Sanibel Island beaches have a gradual slope, which allows shells to be washed up on the shoreline extremely easily. For instance, what are the rules or laws in the area for taking shells? 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. 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. This beach has a good-sized parking lot, but you will have to walk a bit to get to the beach. Caution: Do not soak too long in bleach solution as sand dollar may crumble. Public restrooms are available and parking is free, too. Just keep an eye on the clock because however far down the beach you go, youll have to come back. Photo Credit: Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau. Let dry. NORTH DAKOTA The proper way to determine this depends on the kind of seashell or mineral. Also, they mentioned that they had water and soda available for purchase on the boat, but youre welcome to bring your own as well. But when it comes to Lighthouse beach, there is no time of day where you can avoid bumping into new or long-time shellers. Ready to plan your vacation? Thanks for stopping by! But if we had to choose, we think Lighthouse Beach, Blind Pass Beach, and Tarpon Bay Road Beach are some of the best for shelling on Sanibel, heres why, Located on the east end of the island, Lighthouse beach lands a number of unique shells that get washed into the bay from the Gulf. But wait, check out all the Sanibel Island Shell Crafts on my other blog Completely Coastal. Quick list of where to find some of the best shelling beaches in Florida: ROAD TRIP AMERICA YELLOWSTONE WY Sanibel shelling is not only a ton of fun but is also extremely addictive. our few days turned into a month, and we had so much fun picking up shells and just enjoying the beautiful beach! 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.
best beach on sanibel island for shelling