The best beaches for shelling in southwest florida are sanibel island, captiva island, cayo costa and marco island just to name a few. Here youll find miles of uninhabited beaches and shelling as well as the clearest waters in all of southwest florida. Tigertail beach is the most wellknown shelling spot on marco island. With unique insights from his many explorations and his studies, not only does he identify the. This guided boat tour will take you to a deserted beach where you will find beautiful shells that you will take home with you as a marco island souvenir. This is the place to go and is just a short drive from. Florida shelling laws floridas fish and wildlife commission allows for the recreational collecting of most deaduninhabited shells in the state, but for those who are intending to collect live shells, you must hold a florida recreational saltwater fishing license. Our captain and naturalist are passionate and fun and will.
This book provided that information for not only sanibel, but many other locations in florida and up and down the east coast, and can also be used to determine. More important is his passionate interest and respect for the region. Cape romano shelling tours by boat florida adventures. Jul 28, 2015 florida shelling laws florida s fish and wildlife commission allows for the recreational collecting of most deaduninhabited shells in the state, but for those who are intending to collect live shells, you must hold a florida recreational saltwater fishing license. Cruise with adventures in paradise to a remote barrier island only accessible by boat. Looking for shells in destin is not the same as shelling on sanibel island, but you will get to enjoy the experience of shelling and participate in destin snorkels famous hermit crab races. With a few pointers, you can find seashells, seaglass, sea beans yes, those are a thing, fossils and other free treasures on the beaches of lee county, florida. Marco island shelling adventures breakwater adventures. Its unique barrier island terrain allows shells to be washed up ashore throughout the year, where shell lovers do the sanibel stoop and discover pastel coquinas, junonia and lightning whelks. Hop aboard swfl shell guide kayak excursion to get your shell on. A list of the bestselling seashell books of all time, such as the book of shells, floridas seashells and smithsonian handbooks.
Shelling in naples and marco island, fl must do visitor guides. The gulf coast of florida has a lot to offer when it comes to hidden and not so hidden coastal treasure hunts. The southwest florida waters of the gulf of mexico are famous for shelling. May 03, 2017 the best beaches for shelling in southwest florida are sanibel island, captiva island, cayo costa and marco island just to name a few.
Englwood shell club local shell identification browse through the database goto the index by name click on any icon for a larger image. The book uses common and the scientific names for the shells. Sanibel island is the most famous, and deservedly so. Cape romano shelling tours by boat florida adventures and. All live shelling throughout the fort myers and sanibel area is banned. Shelling in the florida keys key west forum tripadvisor. The eastwest torque of sanibels south end acts like a shovel scooping up all the seashells that the gulf imports from the caribbean and other southern seas. Shelling at egmont key is floridas best kept secret.
I do believe he and i will visit sanibel many more times alone and have a blast shelling so with all of that said the types we found thanks to my birthday gift, a florida seashells book perfect and whole and many of some of them. We were the first to offer shelling trips in the 10,000 islands, so book your trip now with the founders and leaders in the the industry. Fishing, shelling, and island adventures in florida. Best beaches for shelling in southwest florida youtube. Floridas living beaches, a guide for the curious beachcomber, by blair and dawn witherington, is a beautiful, fullcolor book that covers everything you might encounter at the beach, from shells to birds, and from seaweed to manmade flotsam and jetsam. Gulf coast shelling tips grab your small rake or shovel and dont forget a bucket or bag to take with you thats all you need to start your florida gulf coast shelling adventure. Jul 15, 2010 shelllovers from all over the world make pilgrimages to tiny sanibel island on florida s gulf coast, considered the best shelling spot in north america. Professionally guided southwest florida shelling tours find. My 3 young boys ages 4,7 and 10 had a great time exploring the beaches. Books about florida and seashell collecting seashells by millhill. Whether you wish to shell at the edge of the water, in the sand several feet up from the water, or in the water around lowtide, you are sure to always find some great shells. The most valuable shell by most is the junonia shell, which we have found more than any company in southwest florida. Shelby found a scotch bonnet on sanibels lighthouse beach. Shelllovers from all over the world make pilgrimages to tiny sanibel island on florida s gulf coast, considered the best shelling spot in north america.
During the winter and spring months when theres often thousands of people shelling every day, sanibel police rely on residents to report those appearing to harvest live shells. Its an excellent hobby or fun activity for all ages and you dont need much to get started. Sanibel island is known worldwide as one of the best places to go shelling. The best shelling beaches in america coastal living.
You will probably want to stick to sanibel for the shelling. He can guide to and through a multitude of outofthe way tidal creeks, bayous, keys and islands. Florida s seashells, the bestselling guide for beachcombers, is now updated and expanded in a new edition. Its shallow waters and beaches are so favored by shellers that their bentover, shellhunting body position has been dubbed the sanibel stoop. The book explains what shells are and details specifically where and how to find. Seashells cover the beaches, tinkling like wind chimes as they tumble over one another in the waves. Shelling on the gulfside of the beach is the best place to find great shells. From the gulf coast to the east coast heres a list of 15 best beaches to find a variety of sea shells, sea glass and other treasures. Nature and shelling trip from captiva island captain. Click on any of the seashell identification photos for information about each shell, where they were found, who found these shells and so much more. It will take you to a page with a bigger image of the seashell along with any notes about it and its scientific name. Where, when and how to enjoy shelling on the beach in naples. Captain tammy was very engaging with our entire family and educating us on the cool shells we were finding. There are many great places to check out for beginners and longtime shell enthusiasts.
Shell fanciers should also visit the baileymatthews shell museum and the annual sanibel shell fair and show held there every march. Barefoot beach is quiet and secluded, but offers lots to do in addition to shelling on the long stretch of beach. If you love shelling, then you have found the right trip for you. No need to shell out big bucks for the perfect souvenir.
It contains more than just florida shells and covers all of north america. The sandy shores between marco island and cape romano offer some of the best shelling in florida. We also offer a 3hour beach shelling cruise which departs from hubbards marina. Floridas seashells, the bestselling guide for beachcombers, is now updated and expanded in a new edition. During summer, the best time to go beachcombing is in the morning, at low tide. Marco island shelling tours the best excursion in south florida. Some of the best beaches for shelling and beachcombing are in florida. If you are hunting shells on fort myers beach, lovers key, captiva, bunch beach, etc the law must be followed. These islands have beaches that have the title of the best shelling beaches in southwest florida because they are layered with very rare and prized shells. Our captains are all educated certified florida master naturalists, our team is unmatched in its knowledge of the area. And other beach collectibles at shelling locations from florida to maine. Captain brian holaway is well versed in the intricacies of our unmatched locale. You can find fighting conch shells, calico scallops, sand dollars, starfish, horse conch shells, moon snail shells, and lightning whelk shells to name a few.
I would recommend this trip to anyone wanting to go shelling. I have been shelling in florida and he showed us spots for shelling that would match the shelling in fort myers, florida or maybe even better. Shell fanciers should also visit the baileymatthews shell museum and the annual sanibel shell fair and show held there. If you love collecting seashells you will love this naples florida shelling tour from double rs. Sanibel island has a strict shelling law in place that everyone must follow. Experienced beachcombers know to look for shells at low tide and after storms or unusually strong tides. Jun 12, 2017 florida beachcombing travel destinations. Known as the shelling capital of the world, sanibel is by far the most popular destination in florida for shelling. Experts crown sanibel, off fort myers in southwest florida, as the best u. Not thats its illegal but because of the reef, the beaches do not get many shells. Have you dreamed of shelling in the thousand islands. Most times our beach patrol will talk to people and educate them on the law and have them release the shells back in the water, he said. A complete guide to finding shells and other beach collectibles at shelling locations from florida to maine published in 1995. Where, when and how to enjoy shelling on the beach in.
This new volume has more shells identified and explained, with 287 species represented by over 400 fullcolor images and 175 range maps. An officer from the florida fish and wildlife conservation commission arrested fiscalgonzalez on july, 2017, at 1216 watson st. We found unique hard to find shells and enjoyed learning the history of the area. Their childrens book treasure for our sand castle was published in 1997. If you only buy one book for beachcombing, this is the one to get. Shell cruises are available to book for serious collectors but here are the eight best places to collect shells in fort myers. There is also a plate showing some of the fossil shells that one can encounter on a visit to florida. Seashell kayak tours to kice island from marco island, florida fun in the sun shelling finding treasures on the shore, dolphinspotting, memorymaking.
Marco island shelling tours united states swfl shell guide. Our marco island shelling tours are fully guided by a professional that will give you tips and insights on how to find the best shells while beachcombing. Along with your shelling tour, youll learn about wildlife, marco island, and information about seashells. Low tide typically makes for the the best shelling, leaving sand dollars and other highly sought after treasures behind on the sandy tidal flats and exposing large conchs and whelks that get caught behind in the roots of mangrove trees. Our shelling and dolphin tour is a great way to get out on the water, search for shells and hermit crabs, and look for dolphin. Sanibel island shelling worlds best shelling beaches. Hunting for these shells is one of the best things to do in marco island. Any area along the beach here offers a wide variety of shells. Marco island shelling tours by boat florida adventures.
All beaches have shells, but some of the best beaches for shells in florida are located on the gulf in southwest florida. Looking for a boat tour with everything rolled into one day. Marco island shelling tours by boat florida adventures and. This three hour shelling trip starts in the heart of the florida everglades. Want to fish for worldfamous species tarpon, snook, redfish, sea trout, tripletail, cobia and more.
Usatoday has ranked shelling on sanibel island as the 7th of floridas best attractions overall. Day 5 charters fishing, shelling, and island adventures. There is also some great shelling in floridas panhandle region. Please also keep in mind that this law not only applies to sanibel but also to the entire county of lee. Reservations are imperative for this cruise at least 24 hours in advance, this way we can ensure we have the ability to make it happen. Shell island, which isnt an island but rather a peninsula off panama city beach, is an approximately 7mile long undeveloped barrier island running east to west between the gulf of mexico and the st. Captain brian on the water sanibel and captiva island.
The 10 best shelling beaches in florida coastal wandering. The book below by the national audubon society was the first seashell book i bought. However, collecting of uninhabited shells, ones where the animals or mollusks are already dead or gone from the shell, is unlimited and encouraged. Book from one of the best eco tours in the world with our knowledgeable. Nature and shelling trip from captiva island captain brian. The easiest way to identify your seashells is to find them below as a thumbnail and then click on the picture of the seashell you were looking for. Shell collectors can find dozens of varieties of mollusks, sea shells and fossils. The robinsons began their writing careers with the first edition of the art of shelling. Shelling adventure our family went on our first shelling adventure over spring break. Collection of the bahama starfish and live queen conchs is prohibited across the. Local shell identification browse through the database goto the index by name click on any icon for a larger image. Sanibel islands shelling law sanibels shelling law.
Professionally guided southwest florida shelling tours. On our twohour cape romano shelling tours you will experience one of the most popular adventures we are known for. Many naplesarea shell enthusiasts insist that barefoot beach in naples florida barefoot beach offers shelling collecting that is superior even to the betterknown sanibel island to the north of naples. Fwc officer john martino said when he got to the house he saw a woman in plain view with three plastic containers and a water hose in the driveway. Departing from caxambas park marina on the south end of marco island, enjoy a fifteenminute boat ride from our launch location to cape romano. If so, read on to learn about the best shelling beaches in florida. The shell camp shuttle departs from marco island and whisks you to naturally pristine kice island, where youll spend four days and three nights wandering powder sand beaches and mangrove forests, splashing in the gulf, finding rare and colorful shells, and experiencing a rich ecosystem and abundant wildlife up close. Tips for shelling on naples and marco island, florida beaches. Book your island camping trip in floridas ten thousand islands.
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