The Complete Guide To Shelling On Sanibel

While there are always a couple of great pockets of fresh seashells along Sanibel's coast

, the best locations for shelling change with the rhythms of the oceans tides. As a rule of thumb, however, you will have better luck by starting at the northern end of the island's beaches. Choosing the right time to hit the beach is considered essential in the world of shelling, as nearly all of the best shells are revealed as the Gulf's tide is on the way out. Locals will tell you from their years of experience shelling on the island that the best time for shelling is just before low tide a day or two after a major storm has gone through the gulf.

Identifying Sanibel's Most Common Sea Shells

There are nearly 300 different species of shellfish whose shells make it onto the shores of Sanibel, but you should find that you will be able to identify most of what you find so long as you learn the basics. Some of the best known shells found on the beaches of Sanibel include coquinas, olives, sand dollars, scallops, tulips, cockles, whelks, junonias and conches. Coquinas, scallops and cockles all have an open shape that you might associate with a clam shell. Junonias and olives are long, tight spiral-shaped shells that resemble a cigar, and junonias are considered the crown jewel of the island's shells. Tulips, whelks and conches have closed, spiral shells that broaden then come to a dramatic point near their top. If you really get into identifying sea shells during your visit to Sanibel, be sure to stop by the island's Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum with its collection of exhibits and educational programs devoted to all things shellfish.

Preserving Sanibel's Sea Shells and Sea Shell Laws

Although visitors to Sanibel are encouraged to get out and shell to their hearts content during their stay, there are a few common sense requests that local authorities and ecologist ask all beach goers to observe. First and foremost, do not ever attempt to collect a shell that still has a live animal living inside. It can be disappointing when thought that you had just found a great shell and realize it is still alive, but you simply have to release it back into the wild. Not only is preserving live shells the right thing to do from an ecological stand point, the state of Florida has stiff laws prohibiting the collection of these animals.

Along similar lines, it is expected that visitors to Sanibel limit the amount of shells that they take home with them to a reasonable amount. Since it is easy to get carried away when you are shelling at Sanibel, it is a good idea to take a look at your collection at the end of every day of your visit to pick out which shells you want to keep so that you can leave the rest and help preserve Sanibel's unique ecology.

by: Mac James

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