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E.G.D.Top Ten Florida Beaches for Seashells
Posted by Jody on February 28, 2012
Today’s Featured Writer: Laura Hoot from HomeAway!
Top 10 Florida Beaches for Seashells
Look no further than Florida for some of the best seashell collecting in the country. Throughout the Sunshine State there are beaches with lovely shells and sea glass that are worth planning a trip around. Some travelers will prefer beaches with oceanfront vacation rentals, while others might prefer lesser-known beaches or protected state parks for a serene experience. Whatever type of beach you crave, you’ll find a match in Florida.
Located near Fort Myers, Sanibel Island is one of the best places in Florida for collecting seashells. On this barrier island, shells cover the beaches. The island is also appealing for its wildlife, great restaurants, and low-key development. Here you can expect a quiet, leisurely trip full of good walks on the beach.
Sanibel Island Beach Treasures
If you’re looking for protected state beaches, plan a trip to the Caladesi Island State Park in the Tampa Bay Area. You can’t reach this beach by car — only by boat — leaving the quiet beach yours to explore. There are great shells here and it is a popular spot for swimming and picnics too.
Often considered one of the very best places in the whole state for collecting shells, many people return to Captiva year after year looking for the next great find.
4. Cedar Key
Another option on the Gulf Coast is Cedar Key. This beach is especially great at low tide when you can explore all the tidal pools for shells. The fact that you need a boat to reach this small island also means fewer crowds on the beautiful beach.
There is also some great shelling at the panhandle at places such as the aptly named Shell Island off of Panama City Beach. Access the island with one of the many shuttles or tour boats for about $20 a person.
6. Venice Beach
If you’re on the hunt for shark’s teeth, check out Venice Beach south of Sarasota. If you have any kids that are big shark fans, this is the place to be.
Vecice Beach Treasures
7. Little Talbot Island State Park
One great option on the Atlantic Coast is Little Talbot Island State Park, located north of Jacksonville. This beach is known for being the home to dozens of shell varieties. While many visitors congregate around the boardwalks looking for shells, you will have a more serene experience if you venture north to the long stretches of empty beaches.
Another beach near Tampa for shelling is Honeymoon Island. Here you and your kids can hunt for sand dollars and other interesting shells. The clear waters on the Gulf Coast make it possible to look for shells not just on the beach, but within the first few feet of where the water meets the beach as well.
Sunrise from the boardwalk. Let’s go! (Photo by Jay Malone/Wikimedia Commons)
Located north of West Palm Beach on the Atlantic side, Jupiter Island also has a large variety of shells. Coral Cove State Park is on Jupiter Island and over 200 varieties of shells have reportedly been found here. By paying the entry fee you are also ensuring the beach will be preserved for future generations.
10. Fernandina Beach
Fernandina Beach is located on Amelia Island. This is another beach popular for shark’s teeth. Many visitors are surprised at the sheer number of shells here. Expect to sort through piles of shells to find unbroken, colorful, or other special shells that appeal to you.
From the Gulf Coast to the Atlantic Coast, from busy beaches to hidden coves, Florida is full of great options for shelling. Get your bucket and head to the beach!
About the Author
Laura Hoot has been writing professionally since 2004 and currently manages HomeAway’s Travel Ideas site. She also manages a household of three dogs, a cat, two chickens and a baby boy with her husband. She’s written for USA Today’s travel site, GirlsGetaway.com , Cheapo Air, Travels.com, Trails.com, eFilmCritic.com, The Budget Fashionista, Travellogged.com and many more sites.
Thank you, Laura! You’ve given us some wonderful choices for our next visit to the Sunshine State! ~ Happy beachcombing ~ Jody
marthapfeil said
my sister and brother in law have a place just north of the Cape Canaveral Nature Preserve, it is awesome
Jody said
I’ll bet it’s beautiful. What kinds of things do they find on their beaches? Specific shells or shark teeth or Spanish coins… ?
marthapfeil said
I have to ask them. I was there once so far and we were so caught up with looking for sea turtle trails to nesting areas that I didn’t even look for shells!!!! next time. I am fascinated at all the shells on your blog! beautiful!!!
Jody said
Either one would make a great guest post!
We love sea turtle stories and seashell posts.
marthapfeil said
I will see what I can find!
Jody said
Thanks. That’s great!
sherijkennedyriverside said
I knew when I saw your post title that Sanibel would be first. You made me miss my childhood. We used to get to be there every Thanksgiving at a little beach house. So beautiful, and I long for the Gulf coast sometimes, even in my NW mountain paradise.
Thanks for visiting my blog!
Jody said
Yes, Sanibel is pretty much the premium beachcombing beach in the country (not just Florida)! Greg and I love to get away to Sanibel Island. So I know exactly what you mean. Happy memories!
naturephotorehab said
Beautiful photography. Great sea shell hunting advice. Thank you.
And thank you for your like.
Jody said
My thanks to you, too! So glad you stopped by.
fgassette said
Your information is very helpful to know. Thanks for sharing and viisiting my blog.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
Jody said
Thank you! We’re glad you stopped by.
elizabethweaver said
Thank you for the list and such beautiful shell photos! Thanks too for visiting my photoblog.
Jody said
You’re welcome. And thank you for stopping by, too!
Nature on the Edge said
Had a wonderful week on Captiva, and was amazed at the variety of different shells. The shell museum at Sanibel was a highlight, a superb collection, and interesting history. As were the guided tours of the mangroves
.
Jody said
Yes, Sanibel and Captiva have so much to offer. The Baily-Matthews Shell Museum is an amazing place, too. Thank you so much for your insight!
anspired said
Here in South Africa we don’t have a lot of shelly beaches, but I collect pieces of Abalone
and turn them into necklaces. Your beaches look amazingly rich!
Jody said
Yes, the beachcombing can be pretty amazing on many of Florida’s beaches. But in the Pacific Northwest – not as much. The scenery makes up for the lack of variety, though! And then other beaches have the awesome surf. It’s all good!
I’d love to see your Abalone necklaces. ~Thank you for checking in!
Jim Brennan said
Great topic, great idea. I spent a lot of time on Florida beaches in my past life during business travel. Not as much lately. But loved the sea shells, sea turtles and piper crabs.
Jody said
Jim, thank you! Coast to coast, Florida has so much to offer! We haven’t seen Florida’s sea turtles yet. We’ve only seen their nests. ~Maybe next time.
mhdriver said
Jody I Know that Florida has some great beaches. If you check out the header on my blog, That is the pier at Venice Beach – Sharky’s . I have been blessed to have been on many beaches on the west coast, Hawaii, and the Philippines.
Jody said
Oooooh! Sharkey’s on the Pier is one of our favorite spots in Venice! I highly recommend the Boathouse Salad! Feel free to jump in any time with a guest post on a favorite beach! We love to share & we’ll be happy to link back to your blog.
Mazigrace said
My parents spent many winters in Fort Meyers. Mom gathered shells while Dad fished. What a life! I still have some of those shells today. Thanks for the wonderful blog. And thanks for the like on mine. Stay tuned for more.
Jody said
“What a life” is right! Fort Meyers is such a wonderful place. Thanks so much for stopping by!
mhdriver said
Jody,thanks for stopping by my blog again. I didn’t post my picture on the like button again because it would appear that I had shaky hands and just hit the button too many times.
Jody said
Can you ever really like too much?
Lori Lipsky said
I enjoyed reading your list. I can’t imagine how many beaches you’ve been to in order to compile such a list. Amazing. Thanks.
Jody said
Thank you very much. So glad you enjoyed the post!
Author Charmaine Gordon said
Happiness is sand in your shoes and a shell in each pocket. We do love our beaches. Thanks for liking my posts. Maybe one time you might leave a comment. Happy Thanksgiving.
Jody said
Maybe I will do just that!
Happy Thanksgiving to you!
mhdriver said
i can’t say that I’ve been to all those beaches but I
ve been to number 1-6-10 Fernandina Beach thought t was pretty good. Mele Kalikimaka
Jody said
Thank you! and Feliz Navidad to you!
puglife said
Great post. I have had great luck on the northern part of Gasparilla Island, especially, with sand dollars as well.
E.G.D. said
Good to know! Thanks for dropping by ^_^
kronquillo said
nice layout of the seashells
Jody said
Thank you! They don’t usually need too much fiddling with.
kronquillo said
you’d probably love to beachcomb over here in Bohol
Jody said
You bet I would! Feel free to write some guest posts for us! We’d love to hear more about beachcombing & the beaches of Bohol!
Jacksonville shelling | Kickthathabit said
[...] Top Ten Florida Beaches for Seashells « Beach Treasures and …Feb 28, 2012 … Throughout the Sunshine State there are beaches with lovely shells and … Coast is Little Talbot Island State Park, located north of Jacksonville. [...]
Jody said
Thank you so much for sharing our Top Ten Florida Beaches for Seashells post! We do appreciate it!
Kavita Joshi said
Nice ppst..thanks for liking my post
Elle Hubbard said
I have many sharks teeth from Venice beach – I also picked up a pure white one from St Petes beach many years ago
E.G.D. said
Oooh! Fun stuff. Venice beach really is the best place I’ve ever been for sharks’ teeth, but then I’ve never been to “St Petes” before. Thanks for dropping in ^_^
Elle Hubbard said
St Petes is lovely, but not known for its shark teeth – I just got lucky I think!
Jody said
That’s wonderful to find such a special treasure! We’ll have to keep our eye out on the next visit! Thanks so much~
JK Bevill - Lost Creek Publishing said
Reblogged this on lost creek publishing.
Jody said
Another great big thanks to you for the reblog!
Rahburt said
aw my town didn’t make it, ha
Jody said
Awwww, so sorry about that! Does your town have one of the best shelling beaches in Florida? Do tell!
I’d love to know more.
Rahburt said
Ha, idk I’m just partial because it’s mine.Although, you can drive on it and it has the title “the world’s most famous beach”
Jody said
Ahhhh, Daytona Beach! It certainly is very famous.
Rahburt said
Nice deciphering skills
Jody said
You gave me a very good clue! Florida is full of fun and beautiful beaches. Daytona Beach really is unique and quite famous!
Rahburt said
Ha, Don’t sell yourself short. You still did better than most
Jody said
Awwwww! Thanks for the boost!
Kavita Joshi said
so beautiful dear
Jody said
Thank you!
Kavita Joshi said
Your most welcome dear