Hi there!
So you’re going to one of the shelling beaches in Florida, maybe like Sanibel Island or Marco Island!
You don’t really need a whole lot in order to go shelling!
In fact, you really don’t need anything to go shelling in Florida.
You just need to get yourself to a shelling beach, and then off you go in search of pretty shells!
That said, maybe there are a few extras that you do want to bring!
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More for your Florida road trip
- Shelling on Marco Island
- Shelling in Cayo Costa State Park
- Best Captiva Island beaches
- Sanibel Island to Miami
- Marco Island to Miami
- Sanibel Island to Key West
- Marco Island to Key West
See below for the Florida shelling packing list!
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What to pack for shelling in Florida
Shelling is a pretty minimalist activity!
You really don’t need anything specific at all for shelling.
Just start walking and looking along the beach and you are shelling in Florida!
But there are some things that you might want to bring to Florida if you will be shelling!
So, for a few extras…
1. Water shoes or hiking sandals
🐠 Side note! If you're doing any type of swimming, like at the beach, for snorkeling, or at some springs, here are things you must consider packing for Florida!
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- Swimsuit or swimming shirt aka rash guard
- rash guard: swim set for women and swim shirt for men
- Water shoes
- Waterproof phone case (so you can capture pictures underwater!)
- cheapo phone case OR waterproof camera
- I also have this "camera" wrist float to attach to my cheapo waterproof phone case so my phone won't sink to the bottom of the ocean in case I somehow let go of it. (Mine does stay afloat - test this for yourself before completely trusting it!)
- Swimming goggles or snorkeling mask set
- Reef-safe(r) sunscreen
- lightweight travel towel
I also like to go swimming with a personal swim float buoy. Not only does it help to keep me visible, but it makes for a perfect way to rest out in deeper water! Oh, and it also serves as a dry bag so I can take stuff into the water with me.
Another way I have taken valuables into the water with me is to wear a travel money belt that I don't mind getting wet with salt water (it's not waterproof but I have several so I just use one of them) and then I put things in a ziplock freezer bag, and put that freezer bag in the money belt.
There are also designated waterproof waist pouches that you can store your valuables and take into the water with you.
How to save money on your trip
I tend to use booking.com or hotels.com to look for the cheapest hotels. You can also try the expedia hotels site (good for car rentals too) or see if you like any of the vrbo vacation rentals.
Search for the cheapest car rentals at the airport.
/end side note
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People do walk barefoot across shells, but you might want to protect your feet against any sharp broken shells that you may step on!
Water shoes can be perfect for the beach.
Shelling means beach walking!
So if you are looking for greater comfort out of your shoes, then hiking sandals can also be perfect for beach walking, along with any other walking you may do in Florida.
Shop water shoes for Florida
- Popular water shoes for swimming
- Popular water shoes for women with thicker soles
- Popular water shoes for men with thicker soles
- More popular water shoes for men with thicker soles
See popular hiking sandals that can be good for Florida:
2. Mesh bag or plastic bag
To better carry the shells you find, you may want something to carry the shells in.
This could be a simple plastic bag or ziplock bag.
You can also get a mesh bag for shells so you won’t be carrying as much sand with you.
3. Shelling scooper
A shelling stick or a shell scooper can allow you to scoop up shells without having to bend over so much.
It can also allow you to scoop up shells in shallow water if you don’t want to put your head in the water. (Next on the list!)
It can also make it easier to rinse the sand off of the shells.
Place the sandy shells in the scooper and dip the stick in the ocean to rinse them off!
Shop shelling tools for Florida
Some people also bring a bucket to rinse off shells.
4. Swimming goggles or snorkeling mask
You don’t have to get in the water at all to look for shells.
You can find shells on the shore!
But it’s also possible that you can find shells underwater.
And if you do want to look for shells in the water, you’ll want underwater eyewear for that!
Bring along snorkeling gear to help you see underwater so you can see them as you’re swimming!
Or, as an alternative to snorkeling gear, the easiest thing to throw in your Florida shelling beach bag is a pair of swimming goggles you already have.
If you’ll be buying new goggles, then make them the clear kind!
That way you will get the best view of anything you see underwater!
To be very simple, and to take up less space in your luggage, you can bring along a regular pair of swimming goggles like these.
A note on wearing swimming goggles for snorkeling
If you’ll be wearing swimming goggles, it does mean that you’ll have to come up for a breath often, unlike if you’re wearing a proper snorkeling mask which serves as your breathing equipment as you swim around so you don’t have to come up for air.
So if you don’t want to have to come up for a breath every time you need to breathe, and instead want to be able to look for fish and more of the underwater uninterrupted, then you’ll want to get proper snorkeling gear that comes with the snorkeling mask and snorkel (the thing that allows you to breathe while you’re underwater).
Shop snorkeling gear for Florida
If it’s swimming season right now where you live, you can probably buy snorkeling gear at your local Walmart.
Otherwise, there’s a good chance when you get to your Florida shelling destination, the local Publix grocery store will sell snorkeling gear.
5. UV protection clothes
If you’re going for a walk along the beach (aka if you’re going shelling!) then you’ll be exposed to the sun for a long time!
Whether or not you plan to enter the water when you are at your shelling beach of choice, a swimming shirt or rash guard can be perfect for shielding the sun.
A swim shirt makes it so that your skin is more protected against the sun.
This means that you don’t have to bother with putting on so much sunscreen too… and don’t have to bother with reapplying sunscreen every so often. (Although it would still be good to apply sunscreen to other skin that’s exposed to the sun!)
Swim shirts can be perfect for snorkeling, swimming, other water activities, and even if you will just be out in the sun.
These sorts of swim shirts are designed with UV protection.
See more about what to wear out in the Florida sun:
And that’s a bit about what to pack for shelling in Florida!
More for your Florida road trip:
HAPPY SHELLING IN FLORIDA!
Here's some info on Florida trip prep!
- Things to do in Southwest Florida
- Best shelling in Florida
- Tampa to Miami drive
- Things to do in Everglades National Park
Southwest Florida is where Hurricane Ian made landfall in September 2022 which resulted in historic destruction.
Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel Island were among the hardest hit by the hurricane.
The Sanibel Island bridge that links mainland Florida to Sanibel Island and Captiva Island was destroyed during the hurricane.
This has since been repaired, but Sanibel Island beaches were still closed to the public for months... until recently!
Read current info from the City of Sanibel: Sanibel Island beaches that are open
What the open Sanibel Island beaches on that list were like pre-hurricane:
- Bowmans Beach
- Blind Pass Beach
- Tarpon Bay Road Beach (Trost parking lot)
- In general: Sanibel Island shelling beaches