Best shelling in Florida

Ranked by BeachNut’s shell category rating, then by today’s overall beachcombing score. Click any beach for a full profile, daily score and what else people find there.

• Anclote Key Preserve State Park

  Tarpon Springs, Florida

  Excellent

  Boat-only barrier island with a historic lighthouse and untouched shell beaches.

  94/100

  Excellent

  Today’s score: 94

  Shells excellent

• South Marco Beach

  Marco Island, Florida

  Excellent

  South-end Marco access near Caxambas Pass.

  94/100

  Excellent

  Today’s score: 94

  Shells excellent

• Honeymoon Island State Park

  Dunedin, Florida

  Excellent

  A long barrier island with a pet beach, a nature trail and a north end that collects shells on a west wind.

  93/100

  Excellent

  Today’s score: 93

  Shells excellent

• Tigertail Beach

  Marco Island, Florida

  Excellent

  Lagoon and sandbar system on Marco Island, excellent for shelling and shorebirds.

  93/100

  Excellent

  Today’s score: 93

  Shells excellent

• Lovers Key State Park

  Fort Myers Beach, Florida

  Excellent

  Island park with a shell-heavy beach reached by boardwalk or tram.

  92/100

  Excellent

  Today’s score: 92

  Shells excellent

• Lighthouse Beach Park

  Sanibel, Florida

  Excellent

  East tip of Sanibel where the pass current stacks shell against the point.

  90/100

  Excellent

  Today’s score: 90

  Shells excellent

• Gulfside City Park (Algiers Beach)

  Sanibel, Florida

  Excellent

  Quiet mid-island Sanibel access with shaded picnic area.

  89/100

  Excellent

  Today’s score: 89

  Shells excellent

• Tarpon Bay Road Beach

  Sanibel, Florida

  Excellent

  Central Sanibel access with a broad low-tide flat.

  89/100

  Excellent

  Today’s score: 89

  Shells excellent

• Bean Point

  Anna Maria, Florida

  Excellent

  North tip of Anna Maria Island where the Gulf meets Tampa Bay; strong currents concentrate shell.

  87/100

  Excellent

  Today’s score: 87

  Shells excellent

• Bowman's Beach

  Sanibel, Florida

  Excellent

  A long, quiet stretch on the west end of Sanibel with a wide wrack line and one of the most reliable shell piles on the island.

  87/100

  Excellent

  Today’s score: 87

  Shells excellent

• Shell Key Preserve

  Tierra Verde, Florida

  Excellent

  Boat and ferry access preserve named for the shell it collects.

  87/100

  Excellent

  Today’s score: 87

  Shells excellent

• Beer Can Island (Greer Island)

  Longboat Key, Florida

  Excellent

  North Longboat spit with driftwood, strong currents and heavy shell drift.

  86/100

  Excellent

  Today’s score: 86

  Shells excellent

• Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park

  Naples, Florida

  Excellent

  Pass-side park north of Naples, strong shelling on the falling tide.

  86/100

  Excellent

  Today’s score: 86

  Shells excellent

• Captiva Beach

  Captiva, Florida

  Excellent

  North end of Captiva at Redfish Pass, the classic sunset and shelling beach.

  85/100

  Excellent

  Today’s score: 85

  Shells excellent

• Keewaydin Island

  Naples, Florida

  Excellent

  Boat-only barrier island between Naples and Marco with untouched shell beaches.

  85/100

  Excellent

  Today’s score: 85

  Shells excellent