Shelling beach on the Gulf?
 

I will be in the Tampa/St.Pete area in April and would like some information on shelling beaches. Does anyone have any recommendations on shelling beaches and where to access them? Are these beaches accessible to the public? Is low tide the best time? My idea was to drive to one for a day/night and return to St. Pete. Thanks in advance for any info!

Hands down, the best is Sanibel-Captiva. A little closer and not bad, but not nearly as good is Manasota Key at Englewood.

Yes Sanibel hands down is the best shelling beach. It is a 3 hour drive each way on Interstate. Stay overnight there or in Ft Meyers which would be cheaper. On St. Pete Beach go down towards the Don Cesar (big pink hotel) to look for shells or head north to where you can no longer walk and there is sometimes a huge mound of shells depending on where they are dredging. There used to be a shelling boat out of Madeira Beach to Shell Island and it had good shelling hence the name. Madeira Beach is just up the road from St. Pete Beach. Coquino shells usually are very present that time of year.

Sanibel is the best, but we found lots of great shells in Naples too. Most shells up by Clearwater area are very small. Enjoy!

Some find good large shells at Ft. DeSoto, about 15 minutes from the Don Cesar. You have to wade into the shallow water and feel with your toes. But I've seen folks gather a basket load very quickly. Park at the southern end. Watch the racoons. <BR> <BR>By the way, after all that shelling, you might want to dine at Salt Rock Grill on Gulf Blvd. at Indian Shores - best to reserve in advance. Best place I've found along the beach. Ciao

We were in Fort Myers last year and we rented a small boat and went to an island that is NOT accessable other than by boat. Talk about shelling! It was incredible. I am sorry I don't remeber the name of the island, but we rented our boat at the dock at the Best Western Pink Shell Beach Resort and the guys that rent the boats would surely tell you where it was. That is how we learned of it.

Sanibel has great shelling and pretty good restaurants as well. We go pretty often and my 8 year old loves the shelling. Have fun!