Our Beaches & Shelling

Unspoiled. Unbelievable.

There is something about the Gulf beaches on Sanibel and Captiva that keeps bringing people back. Some say it’s the abundance of shells. Some say it’s the glory of crimson sunsets. For others, it’s the thrill of seeing a dolphin for the first time just off the shore of the beautiful Gulf water.

With mile after mile of shell-strewn beaches it is easy to find the stretch of paradise that perfectly fits your tastes. We have compiled a list below of some of the most popular beaches on our islands.

Captiva Island

Captiva Beach – Sun worshipers and sun aficionados alike love this location! Take Sanibel-Captiva Drive all the way until it ends in a small parking lot with very limited space, and a spectacular “land’s end” beach. Restroom facilities available.

Turner Beach “Blind Pass” – Another favorite spot for locals to watch the sunset. Plus, a great place for anglers, strollers and shellers. Located at the southwestern tip of Captiva Island, just after crossing Blind Pass from Sanibel Island. Restrooms, showers, and water available.

Sanibel Island

Bowman’s Beach – Unspoiled. Secluded. Miles of sugary white sand. Great for families and fishing. On the Gulf side of Sanibel, follow Bowman’s Beach Road off of Sanibel-Captiva Road. Outdoor showers, restrooms, grills, picnic tables, ample parking, RV-friendly.

Gulfside City Park “Algiers Beach” – Located midway on Sanibel on Algiers Lane, off Casa Ybel Road. Bring a picnic lunch and find a sheded table. Great for younger children. Boardwalk access to the beach. Restrooms, dunes, and foot paths.

 

Lighthouse Park Beach – Bring the family to this spot on the southeastern tip of Sanibel right nest to the historic Sanibel lighthouse. Bring your fishing gear, too, to drop a line off the fishing pier. Stroll the boardwalk trail through the native wetlands, stop for a picnic lunch, then practice the “Sanibel Stoop” to retrieve some nice shells. While you are there be sure to make the quick walk to the quaint east-end village where you can grab a meal at the famous Lighthouse Café, or an ice cream cone at Sanibel’s own Pinocchio’s, or pick up a delicious picnic lunch to-go at Rosie’s Deli or the East End Deli. If food is not your forte, then the village also has several excellent shops for those looking for a break from the sun and sand. Restrooms and parking available.

 

Causeway Beaches – Spend some quiet time under a palm tree, picnic, fish, or watch the dolphins play along the slivers of beaches on both sides of the Sanibel Causeway. Shelly sand and shallow water. Free parking anywhere along these stretches of beach. Restroom facilities and picnic tables available.

 

 

 

Things to Know Before You Hit the Beach   Parking at all public beaches on Sanibel and Captiva is $2 per hour (coins, redit cards and U.S. paper money accepted). Enjoy. Do not destroy. Please do not collect live shells, including sea stars (star fish) and sand dollars, as this is against local ordinances. It is O.K. to bring your leased pets to Sanibel beaches. Captiva Beaches do not allow pets. Personal watercraft are not allowed to be launched from Sanibel beaches. No open fires on any beaches. Even in the winter months the sun can be strong. Be sure to bring plenty of water and sunscreen.

 

Although you can find shells on just about any beach, Sanibel and Captiva Islands boasts some of the best shelling in the United States. You can find thousands of species of multi-colored seashells, from the commonplace scallop and clam to the exotic – tulips, olives fragile paper fig shells and the rarest of all, the brown speckled junonia.

You may choose to plan your shelling around the low phase of the tide, which allows more beach area on which to shell. TIP: Try to go to the less populated beaches about an hour before low tide and work until an hour after the low tide.

Seashells are an integral part of the Islands’ chain of life, and because Sanibel and Captiva are refuge Islands where all life is considered precious, 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.

Identifying a Few of Your Shells:

Junonia

This is perhaps the Islands’ most elusive and coveted shell of all! Its cream colored outside is speckled with brown spots and the animal that calls this shell home is likewise marked. If you happen to find one of these rare shells, your picture can appear in the local papers.

Cockle Shell

This heart cockle is one of our Islands’ most common, although it is a rarity in other parts of the world. Some Islanders often use the larger cockle shells for soap dishes.

Olive Shell

This shell is named for its oval shape. It can be found in a number of colors and variations and often boasts a shiny finish.

Sand Dollar Shells

The name “sand dollar” is a reference to their round flat shape, which is similar to a large coin. This shell is protected on Sanibel and Captiva. While alive the sand dollar is thin, flat, brownish in color, and bristled with tiny tubes that permit it to breath, move and camouflage itself.