To find amazing shells, you need the best tools for shelling on Sanibel Island.
With more than 250 species of shells, Sanibel Island is a world-class shelling destination. It is the shelling capital of the world and you have to prepare!
This guide will help you join the thousands of visitors who come every year hoping to find the best shells on Sanibel Island and Captiva Island.
You can find anything from a common Traverse Ark to the prized Junonia shell.
This abundance of tiny treasures has given Sanibel Island and Captiva Island their claim to fame.
Visitors hunt high and low for the perfect shell on the many beautiful beaches. Turner Beach is one of the avid shell hunters’ favorites!
Keep your eyes open for the Sanibel Six!
Visit The Guide To The Best Beaches For Shelling
Visit The Guide To Best Beach Essentials
Shell Guide
Sanibel & Captiva Shells and Beach Life – Folding Guide
A guide to shelling is always helpful to have on hand. This guide contains information about 50 shell species, both common and exotic. This guide also includes information on how to clean and preserve shells. It is a handy fold-out format. It features 6 panels each 4″ X 9″ with indestructible waterproof lamination.
Mesh Bags
The best bags for shelling are mesh bags. They are lightweight, breathable bags and can be used in the water to wash the sand off your shells. They are durable and will not rip if your shells have sharp edges.
YOGEON Beach Mesh Shell Bag for Holding Sea Shells
Brightly colored netted beach bags make it convenient for children and adults alike to collect seashells at the beach.
FineGood Sand Toys Shell Reusable Foldable Lightweight Storage Bag
These beach mesh tote bags are lightweight and easy to carry on with your hands or on your shoulder. These bags are big and very deep. They have a wide space to put all the wonderful shells you will find!
Sand Dipper Shell Collecting Beach Bag
Lightweight sturdy mesh bag to collect those beach treasures with a convenient shoulder strap for hands-free carrying.
Rimobul Sand Away Beach Treasures Seashell Velcro Pocket Mesh Bags
Great beach bag for collecting shells, or holding your slippers while walking on the Sand. The mesh design allows sand to pass through for easy rinsing. The bag size is designed to fit a pair of most adult size sandals and other tools you will need to find shells.
Sand Scooper’s & Sifters
Shelling involves a lot of bending down. People refer to the official shelling position as the “Sanibel Stoop”. To avoid backache from the “Sanibel Stoop”, you should use a sand scoop. This will make sifting through the sand much easier.
Sand Dipper Jr – Adjustable – Extra Long Handle Back Save
Set your perfect length up to 41″ of reach – this means less bending down and less back strain. Set the length for your desired reach and lock it in place.
SE Patented Stackable 13-1/4″ Sifting Pan, Mesh Size
This sifting pan set has multiple features and capabilities that cannot be matched by any other sifting set. Enhance your prospects of finding the best shells with our time tested sifting set!
Matlock Trading Company Floating Sand Sifter
Sifting for shells, shark teeth or fossils has never been easier than with this sifter. Lanyard and carabiner are included to help you be hands free when grabbing a hand full of sand.
This sand rake includes teeth that allow you to dig deeper into the sand and scoop up more of Sanibel’s best shells into the basket. The ergonomic curved handle design distributes weight evenly to allow the user to rake the sand without tiring or hurting their arms and back.
Sun Protective Shirts
It is easy to spend hours combing the beach on Sanibel Island for the best shells. It is even easier to forget how strong the sun is! A combination of sunscreen and a good UV protective shirt is strongly advised!
BALEAF Women’s Long Sleeve Shirts UPF 50+ Sun Protection SPF Quick-Dry Lightweight T-Shirt
This stylish women’s shirt has UPF 50+ fabric which provides maximum sun protection against harmful ultraviolet rays.
Kids Two-Piece Rash Guard Swimsuits Kids Long Sleeve Sunsuit Swimwear Sets
This cute long sleeve bathing suit offers a rashguard and is great, protective swimwear with full-length long sleeves. It was designed with a high collar for optimal sun protection.
Kanu Surf Men’s Mercury UPF 50+ Short Sleeve Sun Protective Rashguard Swim Shirt
This fashionable shirt for men has a UPF 50+ rating. It also has rashguards and is a great swim shirt offering good sun protection.
Coolibar UPF 50+ Women’s Iztapa Beach Shirt – Sun Protective
This attractive cover-up offers a generous drawstring hood that protects your face and neck. It has a cape back and a mesh panel underarm for breathability. It has handy hidden side pockets and a cuffed sleeve opening with adjustable buttons and roll-up sleeves.
Sun Hats
A good sun hat will provide the protection you need against the strong sun when you are hunting for shells. You can set out to find the best shell all day long! Something lightweight and waterproof is highly recommended.
Outdoor Sun Hat Bucket Hats for Women Sun Protection Mesh Cap Quick-Dry UPF 50+
This hat is comfortable and light. It is a quick-dry hat made of breathable nylon mesh. It also has an inner cotton sweatband that has a sweat-absorbing function.
Sunday Afternoons Kids Play Hat
This cute hat for children has a UPF 50+ certified sun rating. It also conveniently packs flat or rolls into a cone for travel and has a protective neck veil.
Lenikis Unisex Outdoor Activities UV Protecting Sun Hats with Neck Flap
This hat with a neck flap offers full Protection from the sun. It features 50+ UPF fabric which blocks 98% of UV rays. The flap will protect your ears, neck, and the back of your head.
Simplicity Women’s UPF 50+ Wide Brim Roll-up Straw Sun Hat Sun Visor
This fashionable and trendy straw hat has a wide brim for blocking out the sunlight. It features a roll-up function and is incredibly convenient as it is foldable for easy storage.
Sunglasses
Sunglasses are always very cool looking but, most importantly, they provide vital protection to your eyes when you are out in the sun. Prolonged exposure to UV rays can lead to a whole host of eye problems so break out those shades when hunting for shells!
These attractive INFI Sunglasses are made up of high-definition polarized mirrored lenses that provide the most exhilarating visual effects. They have a lightweight frame for optimum comfort and, a classic and attractive design.
These oversized and stylish sunglasses have TAC-lens, which block 100 percent of UV rays and also absorb most HEV rays. They will shield your eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays and help you avoid long-term eye damage.
These fashionable glasses have are 100% UV400 protecting. They will block 100% of harmful UVA & UVB Rays. They make the scenery more clear and soft and will protect your eyes perfectly when looking for shells.
RIVBOS Rubber Kids Polarized Sunglasses With Strap Glasses Shades for Children Age 3-10
These cute glasses for kids have a scratch-resistant coating and revolutionary soft silicon making them unbreakable. The sunglasses frames are also very flexible, making them a very safe product for children to wear.
Best Beach Shoes
It is strongly advisable to protect your feet while you are hunting for shells, especially for the little people in the group! Both in and out of the water, little rocks and bits of shells can be spiky and potentially painful to step on! Make sure you have good protection for your feet.
Zhuanglin Men’s Quick Drying Aqua Water Shoes
These cool and colorful aqua shoes have a Water Grip outsole that provides exceptional traction in wet and slippery conditions. Featuring open mesh on the upper part, they provide superior breathability and quick drying.
These light and ergonomically molded aqua socks have a unique sole design. They feature a smooth neck design that prevents chafing. They are shock absorbent and compressible and therefore easy to carry.
Kids Water Shoes Girls Boys Toddler Non-Slip Quick-Dry Aqua Socks for Beach Swim Walking
Great shoes for kids of all ages. They have a high-quality rubber sole that prevents children from slipping during play. The soles also protect them from sharp objects such as rocks and shells.
Zhuanglin Women’s Quick Drying Aqua Water Shoes Casual Walking Shoes
These fun and flirty shoes are available in all colors of the rainbow though we love the pink ones! These cute shoes are fast-drying and lightweight making them great for shelling on the sand and in the ocean. These shoes are also easy to carry.
Sunscreen
Sunscreen is a must when you are on the beaches of Sanibel Island or Captiva Island. It’s one of the best tools for shelling you can have with you! It’s recommended that an effective sunscreen should be SPF 30 or higher and be water-resistant. Whether you choose a lotion, spray, or stick, make sure you diligently rub the sunscreen into your skin so that you’re truly protected. The average individual only uses one-third of the sunscreen they should so make sure you apply generously!
Sun Bum Original SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion | Vegan and Reef Friendly
This vegan and reef-friendly sunscreen is dermatologist approved. It is a non-comedogenic sunscreen that delivers UVA/UVB protection and is packed with Vitamin E. This sunscreen is oil-free, water-resistant, and is great for all skin types.
Pipette SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum with Non-nano Zinc Oxide
This baby-friendly, reef-friendly sunscreen uses 100% mineral, non-nano zinc oxide for broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection. It works for the whole family and is lightweight, fast-absorbing and, it is not sticky to touch.
Alba Botanica Sensitive Sunscreen Spray, SPF 50, Fragrance-Free, 6 Oz
This light and fragrant sunscreen provides broad-spectrum protection and is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. It is very environmentally friendly and it does not oxybenzone or synthetic fragrances.
EltaMD UV Daily Face Sunscreen Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid, Broad Spectrum SPF 40,
EltaMD UV daily facial sunscreen provides serious UV protection and superior hydration. It is very sheer and is a mineral-based formula that is kind to your skin. This exceptional facial sunscreen contains hyaluronic acid to boost moisture retention and diminish fine lines.
Bug Spray
Unfortunately on Sanibel Island and Captiva Island, the no-see-ums can be quite aggressive and extremely irritating. They tend to show up at dawn when the shelling is at its best! They really enjoy biting your feet and ankles and can be quite overwhelming if you are not prepared. It is advisable to make sure you have ample bug spray on hand to defend yourself!
Swamp Gator Natural Insect Repellent, 6 Ounce
Swamp Gator is an insect repellent that contains plant oils as active ingredients. It’s effective for repelling mosquitoes, gnats, flies, ticks, and other insects.
REPEL Plant-Based Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent, Pump Spray, 4-Ounce
This DEET-free personal repellent leaves you with a cool, refreshing scent so you don’t have to put up with the usual bug spray smell.
SPECTRUM BRANDS 96058 Cutter Dry Insect Repellent, Aerosol, 4-Ounce, Natural
This powerful formula repels mosquitoes, including those that may transmit the Zika, West Nile, Dengue, and Chikungunya viruses. It also protects against ticks, gnats, biting flies, chiggers, and fleas.
OFF! Botanicals Mosquito and Insect Repellent IV, Plant-Based* Bug Spray, Deet-Free** 2 oz.
This popular brand repels Black flies, gnats, no-see-ums, and mosquitoes that may carry the West Nile Virus. It is also a natural plant-based formula.
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