Shelling in Sanibel, Florida
Sanibel shells on the beach, where do I start?
Mama bird and her new babies learning to hunt for food
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Where can you see beautiful shells covering most of the sand across a 13 mile shoreline? Probably more shells than you have ever seen in your lifetime in just one place? It's Sanibel Island in Florida, that's where! Sanibel Island is known around the world for it's fabulous beaches and shells and now I personally know just why. There are about 275 kinds of shells found in the shallow waters of Sanibel and Captiva Islands. Another 500 species live far out in the Gulf of Mexico in depths ranging from 80 to 2,000 feet. That is a ton of shells, literally!
The reason Sanibel is so good for shelling is because Sanibel is part of a large plateau that extends out into the Gulf of Mexico for miles (like a finger would) so when tides and winds pick up it acts like a scoop and allows the shells to rest on the plateau. The best time to go shelling in Sanibel is around low tide because more of the beach is exposed and as the tide receeds back, it leaves washes of shells along different levels on the beach. These are called "washlines" and you will notice heavy clumping forming a line to look in for shells. When you bend over to pick up your shells you will be doing what the locals call "the Sanibel Stoop". The “Sanibel Stoop” is just phrase used to describe the position used by shellers while collecting their treasured finds because you are stooping over all day. Oh and you may need the chiropractor if you stoop too long!
The best months for shelling on Sanibel are December through April as the storm fronts come less frequently, but really the more disturbed the weather, the better for disturbing the shells and washing them ashore. Just like when you hunt for sea glass after a storm passes by or a hurricane hits, it's the same for shelling. All the bad weather (wind and rain) stir up the shells. It's a good way to welcome a storm in your mind because you know you will have good shelling after it passes over.
The Sanibel and Captiva Chamber of commerce welcome center will tell you that there isn't one spot for shelling that is better than another. They say that it is all good and you never know where you may find a treasure but locals have said that if you are looking for larger shells they are found more towards Captiva and the small ones near Sanibel. The charter boats take people to the upper islands where there just as many shells but less shell hunters searching for that special find. This means more shells for you! Be sure to pick up the identification sheet the chamber has available there plus the tourist guides as well. It's a beautiful center.
Be prepared when you shell with tons of high powered sunscreen, a large hat to cover your head and neck, some sort of carrying baggie or tote and water to cool down with. I saw locals carrying digging sticks to poke at the unknown shells under the sand and one lady actually had a baby stroller with her chair and water on top of it, pushing it along the sand looking for shells. Now there is a serious sheller!
What should you do with seashells after you have collected them? Well, clean them! Yes, you need to clean them to remove the periostracum (the leather like substance found on shells) and algae. This will also help the fishy smell go away and help bring out their natural color as well. You just have to use a 50/50 mix of bleach and water to do this and there is no set time to let them soak really. Just use your eye and your nose to tell you when they should be removed. You can also polish your shells with baby oil or mineral oil to shine them up a bit too.
Here are the links to some other fabulous places to go besides the shelling beaches while in Captiva and Sanibel because not everyone visits Sanibel Island just to enjoy the sunny beaches (oh wait, there are other things to do there besides shell?). Every year thousands of visitors come to Sanibel to head outdoors and enjoy watching some of the 300+ species of birds that either inhabit or visit the island too. Sanibel is also considered one of the top birding destinations in the world.
If you are interesting in shells, Captiva and Sanibel are a must do. They are nothing short of amazing!
http://www.sanibel-captiva.org/
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