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Tuesday, December 5, 2017

Discovering Florida's Hidden Treasures: The Best Beaches to Find Shells in the Sunshine State

Florida is known for its stunning beaches and crystal clear waters, but did you know that it is also a great place for shell hunting? With over 1,350 miles of coastline, Florida has some of the most diverse and abundant collections of shells in the world. Whether you're a serious collector or just enjoy strolling along the beach, here are some of the best beaches in Florida to find shells

1. Fort De Soto Park


Located in Pinellas County, Fort De Soto Park has over seven miles of beaches with plenty of opportunities for shelling. This park is also known for its historic fort, fishing piers, and camping facilities. Get there early in the morning to find the best shells.




Address:

Fort De Soto Park
3500 Pinellas Bayway S.
Tierra Verde, FL 33715


2. Sand Key Park


Just a few miles south of Clearwater Beach, Sand Key Park has a wide beach and plenty of shells to discover. It also has a nature trail and playgrounds for families to enjoy.




Address:

Sand Key Park
1060 Gulf Blvd
 Clearwater, FL


3. Boca Grande 



Boca Grande is a small town on Gasparilla Island, located on the Gulf Coast of Florida. This quiet beach is a great spot to find rare shells, especially during low tide.



Address:

Port Boca Grande Lighthouse
880 Belcher Rd
 Boca Grande FL 33921


4. Tigertail Beach 


Located on Marco Island, Tigertail Beach is a popular spot for shelling. It also has a lagoon for swimming and kayaking, as well as a playground and picnic area.



 Address:

Tigertail Beach
430 Hernando Dr
 Marco Island, FL 34145


5. Sanibel Island


Sanibel Island is considered by many to be the "shelling capital" of the world. This Gulf Coast Island has over 15 miles of beaches and is home to the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum.



Address:

Sanibel Island
Periwinkle Way
Sanibel, FL 33957


6. St. Andrews State Park


Located in Panama City Beach, St. Andrews State Park has a beautiful beach with plenty of shells to collect. It also has a nature trail and fishing opportunities.



Address:

St. Andrews State Park
4607 State Park Ln
 Panama City Beach, FL 32408


7. St. George Island


St. George Island is a barrier island located in the Florida Panhandle. This quiet beach is a great spot for shelling, and you can also explore the nearby state park and lighthouse.



Address:

St George Island State Park
1900 E Gulf Beach Dr
 St George Island, FL 32328


8. T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park




Located on the Gulf Coast of Florida, this state park has miles of white sandy beaches and is a popular spot for shelling. It also has camping facilities and hiking trails.




Address:

T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park
8899 Cape San Blas Rd
 Port St Joe, FL 32456


9. Mexico Beach


Mexico Beach is a small town located on the Gulf Coast of Florida. This quiet beach is a great spot for shelling, especially after a storm.




Address:

Driftwood Inn
2105 US-98
 Mexico Beach, FL 32456


10. Cayo Costa Island


Cayo Costa Island is a barrier island located off the coast of southwest Florida. This secluded beach is a great spot to find rare shells, and you can also camp and hike on the island.


Physical Address:

4 Nautical Miles West of Pine Island (26.685789, -82.245381)
Cayo Costa, FL 33922


11. Honeymoon Island


Located near Dunedin, Honeymoon Island has a wide beach with plenty of shells to discover. It also has a nature trail and picnic areas for you to enjoy.




Address:

Honeymoon Island
1 Causeway Blvd
Dunedin, FL 3469


12. St Augustine


St. Augustine is the oldest city in the United States and has a beautiful beach with plenty of shells to collect. You can also explore the historic downtown area and nearby attractions.



Address:

Ocean Sands Beach Inn
3465 Coastal Hwy
 St. Augustine, FL 32084


13. John D. MacArthur Beach State Park


Located in Palm Beach County, John D. MacArthur Beach State Park has a beautiful beach and plenty of shells to discover. It also has hiking trails and a nature center.



Address:

John D. MacArthur Beach State Park
10900 Jack Nicklaus Dr
 North Palm Beach, FL 33408


14. Little Talbot Island State Park


Located near Jacksonville, Little Talbot Island State Park has a wide beach and plenty of shells to collect. You can also explore the nearby nature trails and marshes.


Address:

Little Talbot Island State Park
12157 Heckscher Dr
 Jacksonville, FL 32226


15. Stump Pass Beach State Park


Located in Charlotte County, Stump Pass Beach State Park has a secluded beach and plenty of shells to discover. It also has hiking trails and fishing opportunities.



Address:

Stump Pass Beach State Park
900 Gulf Blvd
 Englewood, FL 34223



Happy Shelling!

       Sherri

13 comments:

  1. Thank you for all of the great shelling spots. Hoping to move back to Florida soon.

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    Replies
    1. Glad you enjoyed the post! I love Florida and would love to move there one day also!

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    2. I’m with you on that! I miss my Florida! Stuck in the northeast.

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  2. Thank you so much for this information. I really did not like having to order shells from some company when I can enjoy the beach and have my own pick.

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    1. You are welcome! Florida has a ton of different shells to look for.Enjoy your beach time! :)

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    2. Retiring in May 2019 to Cape Coral. Much shelling to catch up on.

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    3. That sounds amazing! Looking for shells everyday will be so much fun!

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  3. I love to look for sea glass, do you know of any beaches in Florida that you can find sea glass? I live in the Cape Coral, Pine Island area. Thank you.

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    1. Probably Jupiter or Hutchinson Island will be the best places to find sea glass in Florida. You could try blind pass on Sanibel, Boca Grande Pass, or Venice Beach for places closer to you. Have fun and good luck on you hunting adventures!

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  4. Thank you! Lido beach has some great shelling too, right by the lido beach resort

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  5. To be honest your post is informative and very helpful. After I saw your Post, it helped me a lot. Thanks for share your kind information about Hernando Beach Marina

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  6. I just moved to FL and have tried to learn quite a bit about shelling. After spending several hours on Bethune Beach this morning, I became very discouraged because I couldnt find any good shells. It is quite a drive from where I live in Deltona to the west coast of FL where all of the good shells seem to be and I was sad that I wouldnt be able to do much shelling. Then I came upon your post and you have shown St Augustine as a good shelling place. You have given me hope again! I plan to try it out in the very near future!

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    Replies
    1. Hang in there! You will walk upon a pile of shells one morning and it will keep you motivated until the next time. Check out my post “Where & How to Find Shells (Sanibel Island, Florida)”. It has tips that will be helpful for any beach in Florida.

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