Discovering Shells on Sanibel Island, Florida: A Guide to Where and How to Find Them

Sanibel Island is known as one of the best shelling places in the world. The island's sloping incline and East West positing make perfect conditions for sea treasures to wash upon the beaches without damage.

I remember preparing for my fist trip to Sanibel. Reading all of the articles and watching videos on shelling had me so excited! I envisioned walking out to the beach and picking up tons of beautiful large shells all day long.

Well, that’s not exactly how it works. There are beautiful shells and some large ones, but timing and luck play a big part in finding them. I have walked out on the best beach at prime time and not found a single shell. Not even a tiny one!

Shelling is serious business on Sanibel! Lol No matter what time of year you go, there will be a lot of people from all around the world there too…and they are looking for shells!

 But there are several things that will increase your chances of finding shells.

Best times for shelling:

Low tide in the morning

Be out there at the crack of dawn – you will see people with flashlights way before daylight (Yes, I have been one of those people! :) )

A day or two after a storm – this stirs things up and brings in a bigger variety of sea treasures.

Cooler months - November thru February

Best places for shelling:(Information on beaches)

Lighthouse Beach

Blind Pass

Turner Beach

Captiva Beach

Bowman Beach

Don’t be discouraged if you walk out to the beach and don’t see any shells. You just need to go to another beach. The last time I was there, I tried Turner Beach and Blind, not a single shell. Then I drove down to Bowman Beach, not a thing. I decided later to drive down to Lighthouse beach and there were so many shells it was crazy!

Luck:

One day you may not find anything and the next day may be excellent. But no matter what you find, it’s a great day if you’re on the beautiful Island of Sanibel!

Have fun shelling and making great memories!

Below are two short video with some shells on Lighthouse Beach, Blind Pass beach, and Turner Beach.

Lovegrove Gallery & Gardens (Pine Island) Matlacha, Florida

The Leoma Lovegrove Gallery & Gardens is one of the most unique and colorful places in Florida. Located on Matlacha Island, a small island off the west coast of Florida, it is a place you diffidently will want to put on your must see list!

Leoma Lovegrove is a talented artist known worldwide for her colorful paintings. Her art gallery is located inside a small cottage that is just as cheerful as her paintings.

The ever changing gardens are a mix of whimsical art, bright paint colors, and tropical plants and trees.

A great way to send a little piece of Florida to someone is with a coconut postcard. How cute is this!

Address:

4637 Pine Island Road NW
Matlacha Island, Florida 33993

Gallery Hours:

Monday-Saturday
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sunday
11:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Happy Travels! 

The Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (Hindu Temple) Houston, Texas

 The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is a beautiful Hindu temple located in Stafford, Texas ( The Houston area). Who knew such an amazing place existed in Texas! :)

 The Mandir is open daily to the public from 9 am - 8:30 pm. Tours are available or you can just walk around on your own.

 Photography is only allowed on the grounds. No photos can be taken inside the buildings.

 The architecture is beautiful!

 The beautifully landscaped grounds are so relaxing to walk around.

Visitors are required to remove their shoes before entering the Mandir. Rooms are provided on each side of the stairs for you to leave your shoes. It is also required that your shoulders and legs be covered. If you are wearing a tank top or shorts, no worries, they will provide something at the door for you to cover up with.

Walking around the grounds and touring the Mandir was an amazing experience! Everyone was so friendly and informative. This is definitely a must visit place in Texas!


Happy Travels! 

3 Natural Springs in North & Central Florida

Juniper Springs Recreation Area

Juniper Springs is a subtropical paradise located in the middle of the Ocala National Forest. The water temperature of the crystal clear water is 72 degrees year round.

We decided to stop by Juniper Springs on our way back home from a cruise out of Tallahassee. I wish we would have allowed more time to explore the area! It is one of those places that doesn’t feel quiet real. It is so pretty!

Address :

26701 FL-40

Silver Springs, FL 34488

Fanning Springs State Park

Fanning Springs State Park is a great place for swimming, snorkeling, or watching manatees. 

We drove past this places and decided to go back and check it out. I am so glad we did!

We drove past this places and decided to go back and check it out. I am so glad we did!

There were a couple of manatees swimming around with the people. This is the first time for me to see manatees so close. It was a little too cool of a day for me to get in the water, but the couple swimming said that the temperature of the water was comfortable. I will definitely go back when the weather is warmer!

*Remember that it is against the law to harass manatees. Look, but don’t touch!

Address:

18020 N.W. HWY 19
Fanning Springs, FL 32693

Manatee Springs State Park

Manatee Springs is a popular place for snorkeling, scuba diving, swimming, and spotting manatees.

 A long boardwalk allows for a quite stroll through Cyprus trees.

It is common to see deer throughout the park, many times walking right up to you.

I have been to Manatee Springs twice and have yet to see a manatee!  It is a very interesting place though. It seems a little bit like “Jurassic Park” to me… maybe because the first visit was right after a rain storm. It was cloudy and foggy.

The second time was early morning and there were hundreds of buzzards flying around our heads!

Address:

11650 NW 115 Street

Chiefland, FL 32626

Happy Travels! 

Exploring Sanibel Island, Florida: 10 Must-Do Activities

1.  J. N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge 

The J. N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge is a great place to see birds and wildlife in their natural habit.The 6,300 acre refuge has many trails for hiking and biking or you can drive along the 4.5-mile Wildlife Drive.(More information here)

2. Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum 

The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum is a great place to learn about sea shells found on Sanibel and from around the world.  Guided beach walks with a marine biologist are offered in addition to the daily programs.  Advanced booking for the beach walk is required. (More information here)

   3.  Sanibel and Captiva Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center

The Sanibel and Captiva Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center is a good place to find out about restaurants, lodging, and tours available on the island. (More information here)

   4. Shelling

Looking for shells is the most popular thing to do on Sanibel Island. Over 100 different shells can be found on the beaches. (More information on shelling here & here)

5. Sanibel Lighthouse 

It is a 120 year old lighthouse located on Sanibel Lighthouse beach. It is not open to the public, but you can walk around it.

   6. Dolphin Cruises

Leaving from the Sanibel Marina, you can choose either the The Sanibel Thriller, the “Stars & Stripes” Motor Launch Cruise, or a private cruise.  All are great for viewing dolphins. (More information here)

   7. Sunset

Watching a Sanibel sunset is a great way to end each day.

   8. Fishing

The fishing is fantastic on Sanibel!  You can choose to fish offshore with one of the fishing charters, rent your own boat, or fish from one of the beaches, bridges, or docks. The Causeway, Blind Pass Bridge and the pier on the bay side are some of the most popular places to fish.

   9. Cruise to Cayo Costa

The Cayo Costa Beach & Shelling Cruise is a fun way to spend a few hours. Shelling, snorkeling, exploring, and relaxing on the beach are just some of the things to do on Cayo Costa. (More information here)

   10. Pinocchio’s Italian Ice Cream

A great way to cool off in the afternoon is by enjoying a Pinocchio’s ice cream. The place is so colorful, the ice cream is delicious, and they always put an animal cookie on top. (More information here)

Happy Travels!