Sanibal Island Shelling Tips

There is no finer place on earth to search out exquisite sea shells than Sanibel Island, the Little Paradise to be found just off Florida’s south west coast.

Sanibel provides a perfect haven for holidaymakers from around the world searching for tranquility and beauty in equal measures and, because of its unique geographical location, lying east to west rather than north to south like the other barrier islands, if offers completely unparalleled shelling opportunities.

The area around Sanibel Island, dubbed ‘La Costa de Carocles’, or Seashell Coast by the first Spanish explorer to Florida, Ponce De Leon, has become one of the most popular destinations to look for sea shells in the world today – and justifiably so, with over 400 varieties of shell to be found there.

A great place to begin your trip to Sanibel – and to start your own collection of the beautiful shells to be discovered here – is Castaways. Castaways is situated at Blind Pass, one of the very best shelling locations, ideally located to catch the shells left by the tidal currents on the very northern tip of the island.

At Castaways you will be able to stay in beautiful waterview cottages surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico and stunning Sunset Bay. You’ll be within steps of the ocean.

During your stay at Sanibel, remember that, although the shelling will be excellent, it will almost certainly be even better at the upper islands, where the charter boats can take you.

North Captiva and Cayo Costa, for example, can only be visited by boat, so there will be far fewer people there looking for the shells. Also, the boat journey itself will be an experience to enjoy across the crystal clear blue waters of the seas around Sanibel.

Castaways Marina itself has two captains who will be able to take you on expeditions for shells, or even fishing trips. You will be able to explore the hard to access shelling sandbars or fishing holes in a way that you could never hope to if you were on your own.

Kona Kai Motel and Cottages is another place to find suitable Sanibel Island shelling trips, usually in the form of charters of between two and four hours duration, taking you to Upper Captiva or Cayo Costa.

You can take your own picnic lunch with you, or even get your skipper to grill you some lunch on one of the pristine deserted white beaches you’ll be able to visit with the boat. The usual rate for this type of charter starts at about $75 per person.

Day Star Charter Shelling also offer customized boat charters which are suitably flexible for your requirements. They will even take you deep sea fishing if you are looking for more adventure.

Captain Mike Fuery is perhaps the best-known of the Sanibel Island charter captains, having featured in the pages of National Geographic Magazine, amongst others. Captain Mike’s company, Grey Pelican Charters, will ferry you out to the remote islands and, as Mike doubles up as the shelling correspondent for the Sanibel-Captiva Island local newspaper, you can be sure that you’re in the hands of a real expert – both as a sailor and a sheller!

You are sure to enjoy the serenity of Sanibel Island’s vacation experience and the perfection of the beaches you’ll discover there.

It will be a real highlight of your time spent in this Florida utopia, however, if you decide to venture out on a charter to some of these out-of-the-way gems to find your ‘treasures from the sea’.

Here is some of the latest Sanibel Island Shelling Information:

Sanibel fishing icon memorialized in cast net rodeo (The News-Press)
26 Oct 2008 at 2:31pm
File this in the only-in-Southwest-Florida category: a cast net rodeo, where the buckaroos go barefoot and the stock they wrangle has fins, not...

Find a piece of paradise at Lovers Key State Park (The News-Press)
25 Oct 2008 at 1:21am
Lovers Key State Park is a haven for both wildlife and people and it's also a great time to visit - before the full flurry of seasonal residents.

Sanibel Island Real Estate Sales Update - January to September 2008
2 Oct 2008 at 8:52pm
Sanibel Island Real Estate Sales Update - January to September 2008 Gulf Coast Associates The January thru September Sanibel Island real estate market statistics for both home and condominium sales are listed below. Sanibel Island, known as the "Shelling Capital"

Hunting for the Elusive Shell... and other things...
2 Oct 2008 at 1:01am
A couple of months ago I came across a blog belonging to a gal, Tootie, down on Sanibel Island off the Gulf Coast of Florida. What captured my attention to her blog was "a" post about the shells she had found on her beach that day. It was phenomenal! I could not believe the ABUNDANCE of shellery that God had blessed her with that day!!! I believe at the time, I might have just returned from our first trip to the beach and might have been mildly disgusted at the LACK of shells that we find

A nice chat with mah peeps!
8 Sep 2008 at 6:52pm
© Copyright 2008 Tink *~*~*http://MyMobileAdventures.blogspot.comA Nice Chat With Mah Peeps!NOTE: Looking for Ruby Tuesday? Click here!I've been sort of busy and distracted lately, and I know that I have not been keeping up with responding to reader comments as I normally do. So I decided to do a massive shout-out post. I think it will be fun! I can spread a bunch of linky love while I'm doing it, and make everyone happy. Ah, dontcha just love it when the pixie dust is flowing? Sea Shel