Shelling on Sanibel Island

Sanibel Island has a well-deserved reputation for being one of the best places on the planet to go shelling. The shelling is made possible by the undersea geography of the island and the many secluded beaches on the island. The island is also home to the largest museum related to shells in the world. There are an amazing variety of shells that one can find on any one of the beaches on this island. Sanibel has miles of beach and most of it is covered in shells of various types.

Sanibel Island is located on a plateau that stretches far out into the Gulf of Mexico. This geography results in the creation of a natural shelf, which is an attractive habitat for shellfish. Walking along the beaches, visitors will find shells including Junonia, Tulip, Sand Dollar, Conch and many more varieties. The “Sanibel Stoop” is the casual name given to the frequent posture adopted by tourists as they peruse what lies on the sands. Remember to check to see if the shell is home to any creatures before gathering it! The local law protects any shell which is still inhabited. Shelling is not allowed in the island’s wildlife refuges.

To find smaller shells, head to the Lighthouse side of the island. Lighthouse Beach is also excellent for fishing and relaxing in the sun. For larger shells, the northern portions of Captiva and Sanibel are both the best bets. To see the largest collection of shells in the world, visit the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum. This museum is located on Sanibel-Captiva Road on the island of Sanibel. There are a huge number of exhibits to explore. While the beaches on Sanibel provide thousands of shells to collect, the Shell Museum helps visitors to put them into context.