We will be in Tampa this summer and I saw a post about sea shell collecting. It said near St. Peterburg, are then any specific remmondations? We are not looking for anything particular, just pretty or interesting. Second of all is it allowed to take these shells? Perhaps this should have been my first question.

Sanibel Island, keep all you get!!! Best shelling. Happy Hunting

You can take and keep shells that are not living. If there is still a living creature in them, throw them back.

Sanibel is regarded as the best on the West Coast of Florida.

If you go to Sanibel you should also go to the very top end of Captiva to the beach near South Seas Island Resort. We find great shells there.

When our soon-to-be-PhD. daughter was only 6 she picked up a bunch of the little, dinky shells with critters in them and brought them home to Ohio.......

without our knowledge......

in a hot car.......

stunk like you would not believe.

We have found many sand dollars at Siesta Key beach in Sarasota.

My favorite shell hunt spot is Caspian Beach south of Venice, many shark teeth to be found and closer to StPete than Sanibel.

After a morning of beach combing, stop at Sharky's for lunch on the beach.

island breeze.