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Sanibel Island in Florida has earned quite a reputation for being a shelling paradise. When many who live on the island begin digging in their yard to plant gardens, etc., they find loads of conch shells, whelks, scallops and clam shells, normally perfectly in tact. This is one of the reasons why Sanibel has earned such a wonderful reputation for shelling. Those vacationing on the island can collect beautiful shells for days and go home with a collection that is unsurpassed from anywhere else in the world.

The island itself is made of shells. People from all over the world have come to Sanibel Island to admire the colorful shells as well as to take bags and buckets and collect some for themselves. Millions of people who have walked along the beaches and stooped over to pick up these beauties have earned what is now known as the Sanibel Stoop.

If you are planning to visit Sanibel, then you should know the best places to find and collect your lovely shells. All the Gulf-side beaches from the Lighthouse to North Captiva offer a wonderful array of colorful shells for collection. It is best to attempt your shelling activities during low tide when the shells are more exposed and many say that low spring tides during the full and new moons are the best time to find them all. Be sure to bring your bucket or bag and wear shoes that you can kick around in the sand with. This is the best way to find those shells that may be partially hidden by sand, as well as to scare away any fish that may get in your way of finding the perfect shell.

You will find many sizes, shapes and types of shells during your Sanibel Island shelling expedition. If you are unsure of what to look for, you can search online beforehand or find many books and guides that will explain the many types of shells and how to properly distinguish them.

You should note during your Sanibel Island shelling experience that collecting live shells is outlawed by the State of Florida. This is because seashells are highly important to the chain of life on the island. Live shells are those which still contain an inhabitant, whether or not that mollusk appears alive. The law is also in effect to protect sand dollars, starfish and sea urchins. If you are unsure of what you can and can not take home with you, be sure to pick up a shelling guide when you arrive before you begin your Sanibel Stoop.

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Beach Vacation at North Captiva