There are a few things to know before you go, however, and one of the most significant is that some of the shells so readily found on the beaches of Captiva Island and Sanibel Island might still be alive! Because of this it is necessary to check that the sand dollars, star fish, or sea urchins you and your family collect are no longer living. Even accidentally removing live shells from the beach can lead to a fine, so make sure you spend some time checking that all shells are completely empty and that all creatures have “expired”.

Okay, so picking up a bucket of shells is a great way to spend time at the beach with the kids, but what do you do with them once you get back to the hotel or the condo? Never leave damp shells in the car! The heat will soon help to create a somewhat unpleasant or even fishy odor that is hard to eliminate. The best thing to do is to spend some time double-checking that no “critters” are in the buckets and then to gently wash the shells free of debris and sand. You can then place them in the sun to dry and begin planning some crafts to make with them.

Some of the most popular gifts purchased by visitors to the Islands are mirrors, boxes, and picture frames decorated with shells. Instead of purchasing such items you could instead use your harvest to make your own!