Staying just steps from the beach at the Sanibel Inn and Song of the Sea, you’ll soon discover the “Treasures from the Sea.” Unlike any other island, Sanibel is uniquely oriented to collect the greatest number of shells with each passing low tide. Sanibel is famous around the world for its amazing shelling experience. Even if you don’t consider yourself to be a shelling enthusiast, the colorful mosaic of shells will have you stoooping to pick up many in your walk along our white sandy beaches. The bending posture is so common that it‘s become known as “the Sanibel Stoop!”

People from around the globe come to admire these remarkable shells, each uniquely beautiful in their own way. Shelled sea animals are so important to the islands’ chain of life that the State of Florida has outlawed the collection of live shells (those with inhabitants) as well as living sand dollars, starfish and sea urchins. Shellers are encouraged to limit their empty-shell haul.

The best time to go shelling is at low tide when the seashells are more exposed, especially at low spring tides (at full and new moons) and after storms in the Gulf. We wish you the best of luck in your “treasure hunt!”