If you are looking for the best places to visit, you know that Florida has a lot of beaches. If you love looking for shells, you’ll be happy to know that there are quite a few beaches that are known for having great shells. Below are 11 popular Florida beaches for finding shells.
Naples and Marco Island
Many Naples-area shell enthusiasts insist that Barefoot Beach in Naples Florida Barefoot Beach offers shelling collecting that is superior even to the better-known Sanibel Island to the north of Naples. We also like to go shelling at the small beach that’s part of Clam Pass Park. Clam Pass has been rated as one of the top beaches in the U.S. It has a concession stand, beach equipment rental, and extensive boardwalks for easy access.
Sanibel Island
This island is not far from Fort Meyers, and it’s one of Florida’s best places that you can collect seashells. This island’s covered in shells and is also appealing due to its restaurants, low-key development and wildlife. This beach is popular with beachcombers searching for seashells & offers swimming & picnic areas.
Address: 1700 Bowmans Beach Rd, Sanibel, FL 33957
https://www.leegov.com/parks/facility?fid=0103
Caladesi Island State Park
When you want a great place to look for shells, this is the park to go to. This park can only be reached by boat and you will have a quiet beach to explore. Bring a picnic and your bathing suit and look for shells to your heart’s content. Caladesi Island State Park is a Florida State Park located on Caladesi Island in the Gulf of Mexico, across St. Joseph Sound to the west of Dunedin, Florida, and north of Clearwater Beach.
Address: 1 Causeway Blvd, Dunedin, FL 34698
https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Caladesi-Island
Captiva Island
This island is a place that a lot of people come to every year to find shells. People often return each year to see what treasures they can find. Captiva Island is an island in Lee County in southwest Florida, located just offshore in the Gulf of Mexico. Captiva Island is just north of Sanibel Island.
Address: 14790 Captiva Dr, Captiva, FL 33924
https://www.leegov.com/parks/beaches
Cedar Key
When you’re on the gulf, this is another place that you want to go. This is a great place to go when it’s low tide since you’ll be able to explore tidal pools to find shells. This key is only reachable by boat, so you won’t have a lot of crowds to contend with. Cedar Key State Museum is a Florida State Park located at 12231 SW 166th Court, Cedar Key, Florida.
Address: 7088 G Street, Cedar Key, FL
https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Cedar-Key-Museum
Panama City Beach
If you are looking for a place to go looking for shells, Shell Island is the place to go. There are tour boats and shuttles that you can ride for around $20 per person. A favorite spot for locals and visitors alike, Shell Island is an approximately 7-mile long undeveloped barrier island running east to west between the Gulf of Mexico and the St. Andrew Bay.
Address: There are nearly a hundred public beach access points available along Panama City Beach (see map below).
https://www.visitpanamacitybeach.com/things-to-do/beaches/beach-access-points-and-map/
Venice Beach
When you are looking for a shark’s tooth, go to Venice Beach. It’s to Sarasota’s south and it’s a great place to go that you can find shark’s teeth.
Little Talbot Island State Park
When you’re on the Atlantic side of Florida, this is a great place to go for looking for shells. It’s to Jacksonville’s north and its known for finding great shells of all kinds. Even though a lot of people go around its boardwalks when they are looking for the shells, a serene place to look are the empty beaches. Little Talbot Island State Park is a Florida State Park located on Little Talbot Island, 17 miles northeast of Jacksonville on State Road A1A.
Address: 12157 Heckscher Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32226
https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Little-Talbot-Island
Honeymoon Island
This is another great beach to go to find shells – whether you’re on your honeymoon or not! Here you can look for interesting shells like sand dollars. The Gulf Coast’s clear waters make it really easy to find shells in the water as well as on the sand. The park has over 4 miles of beach with great swimming, fishing and shelling. There is also a section of beach that you can take your pet.
Address: #1 Causeway Blvd. Dunedin, FL 34698
https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Honeymoon-Island
Jupiter Island
Found to West Palm Beach’s north, this has a lot of shells that you can find. Jupiter Island is home to Coral Cove State Park and people have found more than 200 shell varieties. This beachfront park featuring a guarded swimming area, sand volleyball courts, fishing & picnic sites.
Address: 1375 jupiter beach road, Jupiter, FL 33477
http://discover.pbcgov.org/parks/Locations/Jupiter-Beach.aspx
Fernandina Beach
This beach is found on beautiful Amelia Island and it’s another popular place fr finding shark’s teeth. A lot of visitors are shocked at how many shells are here. You will be looking for a lot of shells for finding colorful, unbroken or some other shells to add to your collection.
Address: 230 feet south of; N. Fletcher Ave & Elizabeth St
https://www.fbfl.us/785/Beach-Accesses-Accessibility
Final Thoughts on Shelling in Florida
When you are looking for a place to go beachcombing in Florida, one of the beaches listed here is a great choice. It is an affordable and fun way to vacation with your family and friends.
