best beach on sanibel island for shelling best beach on sanibel island for shelling

Thus, most people choose a beach along the way and never reach Turner Beach. Well, this spot wasnt better, but it was better than I thought it was going to be. Whether this will be the start of your collection or furthering your current one, make the trip past all the other astounding beaches. Via. Ready for an unforgettabletour ofSanibel Island beaches? Photo by Jim Anderson. You can go to any of the beaches on Sanibel Island and you will find shells. Best pools on Sanibel? When you visit Sanibel Island beaches, you can find shells almost anytime if you look hard enough. For that reason, we recommend checking out Sanibels Blind Pass Beach. I picked up almost a dozen sand dollars (and I was kind of at the back of the pack of people on our boat who headed the direction where the sand dollars are most often found) and found quite a few lightning whelks, olives, and even some urchins. Blind Pass Beach. 1640 Periwinkle Way, Suite 1 Some beaches you might not have to look as hard! (239) 472-1950, Average Homeowner Tenureship is Now 10 Years, Sanibel Island Resident Finds 9 Junonia Shells!, Hurricane-Damaged Homes on Sanibel, What Buyers Need To Know. Lighthouse Beach on Sanibel is the place to go if youre hunting for smaller shells. The suggested time you give yourself is 2.5 hours. If youre already well-versed in Sanibel beach parks, a little refresher wont hurt. WebBowmans Beach. C.R.O.W. NEW YORK 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. I think this cruise is a BARGAIN and 100% worth the time and money. Interestingly, Sanibel was also home to pirates who could have buried their treasures there, so tourists can try their luck at finding some. The beauty with this beach is you need to drive by many other scenic beaches on the way to it. WYOMING Give us a call today so we can help you start planning the perfect Sanibel beach vacation. When collecting a shell or animal from a beach, make sure that there is no longer a living creature inside of it. While on the hunt for shells, chances are that you will see dolphins and manatees. Being limited to boat traffic means the shelling is MUCH less picked over than nearby Sanibel and Captiva islands. Search Near The Waterline. This post was written before Sanibel, Captiva, and parts of the surrounding area were absolutely blasted by Hurricane Ian in September 2022. All that is required to shell are one's hands and bags to put the shells in. You will be just a few minutes walk away from a shelling beach! Since Sanibel is made out of shells, created by nature over thousands of years, when locals dig in the backyard they often find perfectly intact conchs, whelks, scallops and clam shells. At the easternmost tip of Sanibel Island, Lighthouse Beach is the first island beach roadblock for seashells washing ashore from southern seas, resulting in large quantities. Return them to the water. We had come prepared with sweatshirts and beach blankets and it was still pretty brisk so pack accordingly. If it is open and then closes after you touch it, it is definitely alive. This leaves the best shelling beach on Sanibel Island free of crowds. Lovers Key is a destination for beachside weddings and a home for manatees, roseate spoonbills, and bald eagles. Once we got to Cayo Costa we had just under two hours until we needed to be back on the boat. I love the shell specimen posters. 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. Along the shoreline, you can find tons of small shells, and the more you look, the greater your chances are for finding different types of shells! Maria is a travel passionate who loves to share her knowledge and experience with others to help them enjoy their planned excursion. The best way to discover the greatest shells is by getting in the water and getting positioned where the waves break. Yes, Sanibel Island does have public beaches! If shelling is your goal, then you must go to the Gulf Coast of Florida! REYNA: I found the two shells in the water, both on Sanibel Island and both about 15-20 feet offshore. You can make it an overnight Florida shelling trip at Cayo Costa State Park! Who knows, you may have collected some of the same kinds. the best beaches for shelling on Sanibel . One was at Tarpon Bay Beach and the other was at Bowmans Bay Beach. One of the most important tips to remember is to never take any live shells, such as sand dollars, sea stars, and urchins. Most islands are north-south. That is understandable. If you can go after a storm the shelling choices will be even better. Caladesi Island is also considered to have some of the best shelling in Florida. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners. The beaches of Sanibel are some of the best in Florida, so dont forget our Locals Guide to the best Sanibel Island beaches dreamy, natural, and refreshingly uncrowded. Its said that going to North Beach and then walking further up north along the beach away from everything and everyone is the best shelling on Honeymoon Island. Gasparilla Island Lovers Key Conde Nast Traveler names Bowman Beach one of the nation's top 24 beaches. A remarkable area with rare shells but few people, Sanibel and Captiva Islands are home to the best shelling beach. When unsure, it is best to admire it and then leave it behind so that living animals on the beach are not disturbed. But Turner Beach is the clear choice for the best shelling beach on Sanibel and Captiva beaches. WebThere is only Turner's Beach, a very small lot of the Captiva side of Blind Pass and the north parking area at the north end of Captiva Dr past the Village where the road ends several This isnt the easiest beach to visit on Sanibel (mostly because of the parking), but if shelling is your priority, this is the spot you dont want to But the area is very popular with beach go-ers and shellers because the beach is close to the mainland. We hope this helps give you a place to start when shelling on Sanibel Island. Although it should go without saying that low tide is usually ideal for discovering and finding the best and largest shells, the incoming tide can also be fruitful. You can make it a day trip for shelling at Cayo Costa State Park, or if youve got some time to spare, you can make it a night (or more!) As a result, Sanibel and Captiva are at an advantageous position the oceans current literally delivers the shells to you. SanibelIsland.com & CaptivaIsland.com are two of the longest running online resources dedicated to serving the Sanibel and Captiva area. Stop by the Sanibel Island visitor center to get your own Florida shell identification guide that you can carry with you to the beach! Nature. Indulge in chef-prepared cuisine as you dine overlooking the beautiful Gulf of Mexico on Sanibel Island. Youll be relatively secluded, thoughif thats what youre looking for. document.getElementById('cloak3aa4edd50788e863c9742e65823c8950').innerHTML = ''; We got to the marina about 10 minutes early and were treated to a pretty good show by some local manatees so the time flew by. It is illegal to take "live shells." East | Cape Coral, FL 33904, Location: 1870 Clayton Ct. | Fort Myers, FL 33907, Location: 3000 Tamiami Trail North | Naples, FL 34103, Location: 4090 NW 84th Ct. | Ocala, FL 34482, Location: 1547 Periwinkle Way | Sanibel Island, FL 33957, Location: Crossroads 17 Highway 64 E. | Cashiers, NC 28717, Location: 225 Main St. | Highlands, NC 28741, Location: 19387 Rosman Highway | Sapphire, NC 28774. Or paddle the Calusa Blueway, a featured trail in a network of water routes. 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. Dont forget a bag, sunscreen and water. WebSanibel Island Beaches Sanibel Island has breathtaking white sand beaches, clear blue water and an abundance of colorful shells that have been dubbed "Treasures From the To harden sand dollar for crafts or display: Mix equal portions of white glue and water. Loggerhead sea turtles have often been known to visit this beach. The legendary Sanibel stoop. Shell at low tide preferably and after a storm. Its free. 1. Once descended, some gorgeous beauties could be found. You might also want to revisit the Waterside Inn, those fruity colored rental cottages right on the beach in Sanibel. Explore more things to do in Southwest Florida! Thus, most people choose a beach along the way and never reach Turner beach. However, there is one time thats preferable: low tide. This is the Captiva Island beach thats just across from bridge from Sanibel Island. With paint brush cover sand dollar with mixture. This beach has a good-sized parking lot, but you will have to walk a bit to get to the beach. There are two major types of shells: gastropods and bivalves. WHAT MAKES TURNER BEACH SO UNFORGETTABLE? WebYoull find the best shelling in Sanibel Island along all the Gulf-side beaches, from the Lighthouse to North Captiva. What actually wouldve helped was having one of those scooper/strainers to grab them up with instead of having to reach down (thats when I usually got wet). These islands have beaches that have the title of the Best Just. To fully appreciate the waterways aroundFort Myersand its Gulf coast beaches and the hundreds of islands, set sail. You can bike to this beach on the Periwinkle pathway (you can see it on the map). WebWe found several fighting conchs, lightning whelks, olives, 1 nice murex, lots of augers, ark shells, cockles, 2 small cones, lots of jewel box shells and so on. Soak in a 50/50 solution of bleach and water for 5-10 minutes. Copyright 2023 Lincoln Travel Co ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, this shelling cruise with Treasure Seekers. Luxury. Paid parking tickets are not interchangeable between Sanibel Island and Captiva Island. If any barnacles or other matter is left remove with a pick or toothbrush. And one of the things that makes Cayo Costa State Park special is that you need to go by boat to get there! Turner Beach is different from Lighthouse Beach in Sanibel, Florida, which also rates high for the best shelling beach on Sanibel Island. One of the most beautiful islands in Florida. Does a beach vacation in paradise sound like its something you need in your life? Any questions? Sanibel Island, Florida 33957 Sanibel beaches parking at public beaches costs $5 an hour. If you want to follow along on my travel adventures in real time, you can follow me on Instagram (@caitylincoln). All of our Sanibel beaches are great for shelling. And there is also Captiva Island for beaches and shelling! So theres more to Sanibel island than just shells! Due to their close location, they have a lot of the same elements, such as the number of tourists. So it is no surprise that shelling on Sanibel and Captiva islands is on most shellers bucket lists. See for yourself whySanibel is one of the best shelling attractions on the planet. Bowmans Beach Lighthouse Beach Blind Pass Beach Turner Beach Shelling on Sanibel Island in Florida For tourists seeking a beach getaway, Florida is home to several mesmerizing islands, including the paradisiac Sanibel Island, which is a barrier island located in the Gulf of Mexico. By continuing on our website, you consent to our use of cookies. If you find one you get to be in the local newspaper. Live shells and mollusks cannot be taken off the beach. A super handy laminated Sanibel Folding Shell Guide. The fighting conch is one of the most common shells on Sanibel and Captiva Islands, and you can recognize it by looking out for the brilliant orange color. The types of shells on the beaches can vary according to the time of year. 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. And here are some Sanibel shelling facts and tips you want to know: Now let the Happy Shelling begin! Photo by Anne McKinnell. And as a result, there are plenty of interesting minerals for shellers to pick through and admire. I found a lot of sand dollars right on the beach, but our captain mentioned they were mostly found around a little point in shallow water. Visitors have also said that the jetty makes it easy for shells to pile up. SNORKELING SHIRTS You can look for shells along any Cayo Costa beach. ZION UT In gastropods such as conchs and whelks, you can usually see the live mollusk tucked inside. It is usually uncrowded which makes hunting for the best shells easy, with plenty of opportunities to find unique or rare shells that are not already in your collection. But wait, check out all the Sanibel Island Shell Crafts on my other blog Completely Coastal. There are many gulf coast beaches you can go to whereif you look hard enough you will find at least a few shells! People do look for shells barefoot, but you might not want to step on sharp shells barefoot! Via Hotels Fairy. Your browser is not supported for this experience.We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari. For more shelling tips and facts keep scrolling! And she has some Hotel and Cottage Rental recommendations too! Like a Local. We have a variety of Sanibel Island condo rentals to choose from. New restaurant opens today Mar 24, 2023. Walking this Sanibel beach is a treat. Water will be a brownish color, change water frequently until fairly clear or just continually flush with water until water stays fairly clear. And its part of section 10-62 of the Sanibel code, which states that dogs must be leashed on beaches, public property or on any public right-of-way. The beaches are narrow and not the best for collecting seashells, but theyre perfect for lounging on the beach and soaking up the sun with a good book. WebSanibel Island Voted Best Shelling Beach - Sanibel & Captiva Chamber See why the Weather Channel's Facebook friends voted Sanibel Island as the best shelling beach.