275 Estero Boulevard Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931 The benefit, though, is that Captiva Island isnt as well-known as its sister Sanibel. They are very knowledgeable in dolphins as well. Are you one of those people who think youre not a beach vacation type of person?. Visit at 27853 Perdido Beach Blvd, Orange Beach, AL 36561. They new where to find the dolphins & even saw a baby dolphin. I highly recommend going on this dolphin cruise. Ranked #1 on Google in Naples, Sanibel Island, and Marco Island, Shelling, dolphin, fishing, and sunset tours. As much fun as the touristy spots can be, maybe you want to escape for a shelling excursion too. No matter when you decide to hit the beach for were sharing some top spots and tips for a shellabratory treasure hunt. We offer this cruise by powerboat! Among others, the most common shells youll find on Sanibel Island include coquinas, false angel wings, conchs, Junonia shells, murexes, olives, scallops, cockles, lightning whelks, tulip shells, and sand dollars. Countless precious memories are yours for the making on your Pensacola Beach vacation. If yourtrip to Floridawill keep you on the Atlantic Ocean side of the state, though, you still have plenty of shelling opportunities. Cayo Costa State Park is one of the best shelling spots in Southwest Florida. If you do that, though, keep in mind that you only have four hours until your ferry ride back. Keep in mind, though, that its not easy to navigate these islands on your own. All Rights Reserved. ), there are some key times of day when shelling is at its peak. Captain Bart was very professional and the young man helping him, Brett, was as well. But dont worry! Lets say youre on a group trip with some folks who want to enjoy the Panama City area along the panhandle. Then, at the end of it all, youll still have time to collect all your beloved shells. When you plan your trip, make sure youre looking at the Shell Island thats next to Panama City Beach. A favorite pastime among all ages, hunting seashells among the beautiful white sands of Pensacola Beach is one of the best activities to be enjoyed any time of year. Combine three of our most popular activities for your private fun family adventure! But Cayo Costa definitely isnt the only place to go shelling near Fort Myers Beach. If you love wildlife, its worth your time to stop at the islands Bowling Rocks Nature Conservatory as well. These guys are HANDS DOWN thee very best when it comes to Dolphin Cruises! If you do the same, youll be met with some competition. Very family friendly! With your captain, you can figure out which of Southwest Floridas islands and coastlines are best for your shelling adventure. If youre hoping to add some chompers to your collection of beach souvenirs, Amelie Island is the place to be. https://www.nps.gov/guis/learn/historyculture/fort-pickens.htm. Whether its your first time combing the beach or you are an avid collector, we know where to find the best shells this area is known for. On the boat ride over to a beautiful barrier island, listen to your marine biologist or naturalist guide teach you all about Southwest Floridas flora and fauna. Visit at 1660 West Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, AL 36542. Everything You Need to Know About the Sand Dollar, Information About Marco Island Shelling: Everything You Need to Know, When is the Best Time to Find Seashells in Florida? Florida Adventures and Rentals, is committed to teach our guests about to ecology that makes the Rookery Bay Reserve and the Ten Thousand Islands a tropical paradise. Infants and Children under the age of three are not permitted on this excursion. The downside, though, is that it tends to be crowded. Handy Shelling Tips, Everything There Is To Know About Cockle Shells, Types of Shells In Florida: Seashell Identification Guide. You can find fighting conch shells, calico scallops, sand dollars, starfish, horse conch shells, moon snail shells, and lightning whelk shells to name a few. If youre looking for an extra special experience, try our dolphin cruise with remote beach stop! The only Pensacola Beach Blue Angels cruise that stops at Sand Island for the best experience! Tigertail Beach is the most well-known shelling spot on Marco Island. You can build sand castles on the pristine beach, or work on a tan on an undeveloped island with a panoramic view of our lovely turquoise waters. For a shelling tour that takes guests to a remote barrier island, Adventures in Paradise is the way to go. All of our captains and guides that will accompany you are Florida Naturalist through the University of Florida. Keep in mind that the beach shells on Shell Island arent as abundant as they once were thanks to plenty of shellers before you. 655 Pensacola Beach Blvd, Pensacola Beach, FL 32561, Click here to visit our Google My Business Profile, Shelling Along the Shores of Pensacola Beach, https://www.nps.gov/guis/learn/historyculture/fort-pickens.htm, https://jollysailing.com/dolphin-cruises/, Private Dolphin Cruise in Pensacola Beach with Remote Beach Stop, Private Dolphin Cruise, Snorkel Excursion & Beach Stop Package, 655 Pensacola Beach Blvd, Pensacola Beach, FL 32561. Tantalize your taste buds at Pink Shell's three dining options serving fresh Gulf seafood, Italian fare and more! If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. As youd expect, South Beach is along the southern edge of Marco Island. Its not as well-known as Tigertail Beach, which is great news because it means more shell selection for you. Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review. You have to know where to go if youre going to go on a seashell hunt. Its full of opportunities to find beautiful shells of all varieties. Sanibel Island is located near Fort Myers, and its not a mystery why its such a magnet for beautiful shells. Cedar Key is actually a cluster of islands that youll find about halfway between Orlando and Tallahassee. Escape to relaxation at Aquagene Spa, the full-service, 6,000-square-foot oasis. As you might know, northern Florida doesnt have many shelling spots, but Fernandina Beach has a decent selection for the area. Only take shells that are washed up on shore and are no longer inhabited by sea life. Ready for an amazing shelling experience? Beaucoups of space to roam for seashells! With the countless scallop shells, olive shells, conch shells and more found on Southwest Florida shores, its no surprise that shelling is one of the best things to do in Fort Myers Beach and beyond. The problem is when youre vacationing in a group, and some of you are loungers while others are adventure-seekers. Thats both a pro and a con. DolphinTales, Owner at Dolphin Tales, responded to this review. tripshock You know what that means dont you? The secret to great shelling on Captiva Island is to get there early. If you prefer a quieter, more solitary search, you might be out of luck. With that in mind, the smaller amount of tourism that Captiva Island does see is largely shelling. Dolphin Tales is an affordable and family-friendly way to see dolphins and other wildlife while aboard our eco-friendly cruises. If youre interested in shelling on your own, we offer kayak rentals and you can explore on your own. Not only do they know The islands beaches are full of tidal pools that trap a fantastic array of shells every time the tide shifts. The boat itself was easy to get in and out of and was very comfortable. These guys are HANDS DOWN thee very best when it comes to Dolphin Cruises! We enjoyed our dolphin cruise with Capt Bart and his wife Tabatha. They were both very relaxed with children moving around and asking questions. Our guides have incredible understandings of tides, currents, weather patterns and prevalence of different species of shells to help you find the treasures you are searching for. I personally love Dolphin Tales! Spend the day on a private secluded Island. If the rest of your group wants to tag along, there are also plenty of other activities on shell island, like snorkeling and just lounging on the beach. 909 Collier Ct. You might even find a few sand dollars dotted here and there! Sticking with Marco Island for a moment, Tigertail Beach isnt the only great shelling opportunity to be had. We depart from Caxambas Park Marina at the south end of Marco Island. As you can see, the island curves into a J-like shape. Schedule your visit for low tide to experience the best of what Cedar Key has to offer. Many people start at Tigertail and work their way down to South Beach. Particularly after a storm, beachcombers find an amazing number of sharks teeth along the beach. Thank you so much for the high recommendation. You can also find other great windows into marine life like starfish and sea urchins. Remember the famous Sanibel Island, renowned for its shelling? This Shelling & Lunch Cruise is great for those who are really trying to get off the beaten path. A great place to start is with our list of the best shelling beaches in Florida. This Gulf Shores spot is one of my favorites, especially when going on a shell hunt. Florida Adventures and Rentals offers a wide variety of tours, rentals and activities, we can tailor our services to guide you through your dream vacation. Click here to EXPECT HEAVY TRAFFIC AND LIMITED PARKING, ESPECIALLY ON WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS! The boat is great, they knew where to take us and we saw dolphins immediately. This abundance of shells is largely due to the fact that Cayo Costa State Park is only accessible by boat. There are cities for urban adventurers, state parks for nature lovers, and of course, miles and miles of beaches for shellers and loungers alike. Its a space the whole family can enjoy for a nice full-day outing. They Orange Beach Private Family Dolphin Tours & Boating Safaris. Theres one more thing we should mention. Understand local rules and regulations, especially if you are shelling in a state or natural park. 951 Bald Eagle Drive Depending on your preference and group size we have many different tour options to accommodate your party. Our guides have incredible understandings of tides, currents, weather patterns and prevalence of different species of shells to help you find the treasures you are searching for. The beauty of Cedar Key is its tidal pools. I have just the spotthe beaches at Fort Morgan. Thats what refreshes us on a vacation: new experiences and a change of perspective. In particular, their five-hour Cayo Costa Shelling & Beach Cruise is ideal for those who want to spend as much time as possible enjoying this little slice of paradise. The boat beaches right up on the bay side, which offers shallow, calm water for swimming. For the most part, youll find the sametypes of shellshere as you find on Sanibel Island. Take a look at amap of Sanibel Island. Private Tours, Boat Tours, Waterskiing & Jetskiing, Dolphin & Whale Watching. Captiva Island is like its conjoined twin. Rescheduling:You can voluntarily reschedule or cancel the tour 48 hours prior to departure at no charge, Kayak Tours/Rentals and Paddleboard Rentals With all the shelling available, you could spend hours combing the beach. Captiva Island is shaped like a narrow strip from north to south. By starting your day at Captiva, you can get ahead of the rush and load up your bag with treasures. Heres a sampling of what you may come across! During low tide when shells are easily visible. Visit their website and follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. We go on cruises alot and do many shore excursions, we were just so surprised at how reasonably priced this was! Please enjoy this gallery, compiled by our very own First Mate MJ, who has grown up on the Gulf Coast, spending much of her time soaking up the natural beauty of our beloved beaches. Shell hunting on the beaches of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach is always an adventure. If youre lucky, you might even get your hands on some horseshoe crab shells. Many shellers start at the Sanibel Island, shell to their hearts content, and then finish their day at Captiva. From the moment we arrived we had a great experience. Last but certainly not least, if youd prefer to stay on dry land but still want to see some epic shells, check out the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum. And we saw a bunch of Dolphins!! If youre looking to add more variety to your shell collection this is the place to go. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. Youll primarily find small shells like whelks. Your kids or grandkids will be jumping for joy as they watch the beautiful dolphin gracefully glide through the waters. PLEASE PLAN AHEAD. 1295 Capri Blvd. Thats why shelling is so popular. On top of all that, youll find plenty of other activities like kayaking for the water lovers and a playground for the kids. and even passed out chilled drinks on our ride back to the marina. Especially when my daughter asks me this very question and I wish I were smart enough to know the answer without a quick Google search. PLEASE PLAN AHEAD. This guided boat tour will take you to a deserted beach where you will find beautiful shells that you will take home with you as a Marco Island souvenir. We strive to give everyone consistent customer service while cruising with Dolphin Tales. 866.966.8771. Youll find all sorts of shells on this remote island, including tulip shells, junonia shells and conch shells. That makes it a quieter, more isolated place for those of you who want some solitary time. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. While theyre technically separate islands, theres a road that connects Sanibel Island and Captiva Island. You might findlions paws, moon shells, cockles, clams, fighting conchs, limpets, coquinas, murexes, and cones. Take a narrated boat tour to the island for two full hours of seashell searching. Wed rather be out doing something, learning something, and being active. We have a bathroom on board for your convenience to change into dry clothing if you wish. If thats the case, youre in luck because you have Shell Island right next to Panama City Beach. Before you grab that bucket, learn more about what Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism has to offer. It was a great experience! As a result, many people combine the two locations into one great shelling trip. One of the best is Jupiter Island, a narrow strip of an island near the city of Jupiter and Jonathan Dickinson State Park. Along the gulf coast near Tampa and Clearwater, youll find two major islands next to each other: Honeymoon Island and Caladesi Island. Marco Island, FL 34145 Florida is one of those tourist destinations that has something for everyone. At sunrise when daily tide changes have caused new shells to wash up on shore. Scattered along its shoreline, youll find whelk shells, conch shells, banded tulip shells and scotch bonnet shells. Both of these beautiful islands are protected state parks, preserved for you to be able to enjoy nature at its finest. more. Passengers under 12 must have a parent or guardian present at check in. Capt. Free Island Fishing - Bait, Rods, and Out-of-State Lincese Provided. With a 2.5-mile stretch of beach and minimal crowding, its perfect for a shelling excursion. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Whether its your first time combing the beach or you are an avid collector, we know where to find the best shells this area is known for. You can still visit without a boat of your own, since Captiva Cruises offers two shelling tours (by boat, of course) to Cayo Costa. That means the shells are often undisturbed by kids playing in the sand and couples taking romantic walks along the water. To be frank, Marco Island is a shell-seekers paradise. Youll even get to see wildlife along the way, including dolphins and seabirds. After a period of rough waters or after a storm when large amounts of shells are often moved to shore. Caxambas Park is a beautiful water access point located at 909 Collier Ct. All Rights Reserved. Some folks just dont enjoy lounging on a beach all day. We hope you have enjoyed this informative post, detailing just a few of the many types of shells that can be found along Pensacola Beach and other beaches of the Gulf Coast. Your whole group can enjoy a classic Florida beach day. That means plenty of beautiful beach space where gorgeous shells wash up for your enjoyment. Went back to see them twice in one week just because it was so much fun! Depending on your preference and group size we have many different tour options to accommodate your party. On our Kice Island Shelling Tours we depart from Caxambas Marina on the south end of Marco Island. The best way to get to Shell Island is to hit up Panama City Beach first and take the shuttle. Discover why Pink Shell's marina was voted one of the Top 25 Best Places to Tie Up in North America! If none of the Fort Myers Beach shelling tours are for you, consider booking a private tour with Southwest Florida Dolphin & Eco Tours. If you have any birdwatchers in the group, theres plenty of wildlife for them to spot. tacky nachos read more, Very friendly & informative. 26619 Perdido Beach Blvd. Click here to Learn more about dolphin cruise, Click here to Learn more about snorkeling tours, Click here to Learn more about sailing tours, Click here to Learn more about private cruises, Click here to Learn more about specialty cruises, Click here to Learn more about jolly blog, Click here to email jollysailing@jollysailing.com, Click here to view location To take a tour with us, click on the button below: Of all the Florida beaches, Sanibel Island may have the most widespread reputation for shelling. The key, of course, is knowing which beaches are best for that combination. The reputation is well-earned, and there are always plenty of shells to be found on Sanibel Island. There are a few different islands throughout Florida that go by the name or nickname of Shell Island. Soak up the sights of Pensacola by boat! Hunting for these shells is one of the best things to do in Marco Island. Remember the scenario we mentioned earlier about finding a beach that a diverse group can enjoy? In this wild, natural setting, you may come across some of the locals, such as the Great Blue Heron, Sandpipers, Stingrays, and maybe even an Armadillo! If you enjoy wildlife and wanted to experience dolphin toursas well, youre in luck because the area is full of dolphins as well. Theyre among the best spots to find the rare and coveted Junonia shells. My family and I enjoyed the dolphin cruise! If you want to make the most of your next shelling excursion, you have to know where to go.