GULF FLORIDA BEACHES

- Shelling

BEACHES:

Lee County has some of the most incredible beaches in Florida, from Sanibel and Captiva Islands to Bonita Beach with many fun and exciting things to do and see. If you love to search for shells - Sanibel is world renowned for that activity. Most beaches and parks have access numbers for more information.

Bonita Beach Park
Located at the west end of Bonita Boulevard at 27950 Hickory Boulevard in Bonita Beach. Concessions, restrooms, picnic tables and showers are available. For more information, contact Bonita Beach Park at 239-495-5811.

Bonita Beach Public Accesses
There are 10 public accesses along Hickory Boulevard north of Bonita Beach Park. For more information, contact Lee County Department of Parks and Recreation at 239-461-7400.

Little Hickory Island Beach Park
Little Hickory is located two miles north of Bonita Beach Boulevard o Hickory Boulevard. There are facilities available such as restrooms, picnic tables and showers. For more information, contact Lee County Department of Parks and Recreation at 239-461-7400.

Lovers Key State Park
Lovers Key is located at the entrance on Black Island, between Bonita Beach and Fort Myers Beach on County Road 865. Restrooms, picnic tables and showers are available. For more information, contact Lovers Key State Park at 239-463-4588.

Fort Myers Beach Public Accesses
Located on numerous beach access points along Estero Boulevard between Flamingo Avenue and Avenue A in Fort Myers Beach. For more information, contact Lee County Department of Parks and Recreation at 239-461-7400.

Lynn Hall Memorial Park
Located at 950 Estero Boulevard, beside Fort Myers Beach Pier. Concessions, restrooms, picnic tables and showers are available. For more information, contact Lynn Hall Memorial Park at 239-463-1116.

Bowditch Point Regional Park
Located at 50 Estero Boulevard, at north end of Estero Island, above Fort Myers Beach. Restrooms, picnic tables and showers are available. For more information, contact Bowditch Regional Park at 239-463-1116.

Bunch Beach
Located from Fort Myers Beach, proceed north on San Carlos Road, then west on Summerlin Road; turn south on John Morris Road and follow to beach. For more information, contact Lee County Department of Parks and Recreation at 239-461-7400.

Causeway Islands
Located along Sanibel Causeway between the mainland and Sanibel Island. Restrooms, picnic tables and showers are available. For more information, contact City of Sanibel Parks and Recreation Department at 239-472-9075.

Dixie Beach
Located on Sanibel Island, follow Periwinkle Way to Lindrin Road, turn right and continue for three miles to Dixie Beach Road. Turn right and follow fo one mile to beach. Picnic tables are available. For more information, contact City of Sanibel Parks and Recreation Department at 239-472-9075.

Lighthouse Beach Park
Located at the east end of Periwinkle Way at the tip of Sanibel Island. Concessions, restrooms and picnic tables are available. For more information, contact City of Sanibel Parks and Recreation at 239-472-9075.

Gulfside City Park
From Sanibel Island, take Periwinkle Way to Casa Ybel Road; follow to Algiers and turn south till it ends at Middle Gulf Drive. Restrooms and picnic tables are available. For more information, contact City of Sanibel Parks and Recreation Department at 239-472-9075.

Tarpon Bay Road Beach
Located at Tarpon Bay Road at West Gulf Drive on Sanibel Island. Restrooms and picnic tables are available. For more information, contact City of Sanibel Parks and Recreation Department at 239-472-9075.

Bowman's Beach
From Sanibel Island, proceed north on Sanibel-Captiva Road to Bowman's Beach Road, then turn south and follow to beach. Restrooms, picnic tables and showers are available. For more information, contact City of Sanibel Parks and Recreation Department at 239-472-9075.

SHELLING:

Sanibel Island and Captiva Island are renowned for fabulous shelling and have earned the title "The Shell Islands". These Islands are actually made out of shells, like some fantastic work of shell art created over thousands of years. These two islands rank top in the world for shelling because of their geography. Sanibel Island does a little twist as it goes along the coastline among a string of other islands. The East-West twist at Sanibel's south end acts like a shovel scooping up all the seashells from the Gulf of Mexico. The quantity and variety of shells have made Sanibel and Captiva Islands destination points for the shell-obsessed. People come from all over the world to shell and when you see them out there, they assume the position best described as the "Sanibel Stoop".

All of the Gulf-side shelling beaches from the Lighthouse to North Captiva are prime spots for shelling! Low tide is the best time to shell as the seashells are more exposed, especially in the Spring (at full and new moons) and after Gulf storms have driven the shells up the Gulf onto the beaches. Make sure you bring a bucket or a net bag and scoop up your treasures. There are shells of all shapes and sizes on these shelling beaches.

Shelling Law & Florida Seashell Preservation:

Seashells are important to the Islands' chain of life, and because Sanibel and Captiva are refuge islands where all life is considered precious, and therefore, the State of Florida has outlawed the collecting of live shells on the island. "Live shell" is defined as any specimen containing an inhabitant, whether or not the mollusk seems alive. The law also protects sand dollars, starfish and sea urchins. All shelling is prohibited in J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge.

Sheller’s are urged to limit even their empty-shell collection. Hauling away seashells by the bucketful diminishes supplies and the value of a single shell. Have fun and go shelling!

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