Go Shelling
Sanibel's beaches and the boat-only islands beyond are an easy day out on a boat from Paradise Boat Rentals.
Go Shelling
Reach the Shelling Beaches by Water
Sanibel shelling is famous, and a boat opens up more of it. Instead of hunting for parking near a crowded beach, you can run west from Cape Coral across San Carlos Bay and pick a stretch of sand, then keep going to islands with no bridge at all. A boat from Paradise Boat Rentals lets you go at low tide, come back when you want and carry a cooler and beach chairs. It's one of the easiest things to do by boat on a sunny day.
Where to Go Shelling by Boat
Sanibel and Captiva. Sanibel's beaches face the Gulf and are well known for shells. Captiva sits just north. Many beaches along the inside of these islands face Pine Island Sound.
Cayo Costa shelling. Cayo Costa is a state park island with no bridge and long, undeveloped beaches. It's a secluded spot for a shelling day, and a boat is how you get there.
North Captiva shelling. North Captiva is also boat-only, with quiet beaches north of Captiva.
If you're looking for the best shelling beaches in Florida, this chain of islands is a good place to start. Your captain goes over the map and the tides with you before you leave, including the shallow spots to avoid.
Best Boats for a Shelling Day
A deck boat is a good shelling boat: open seating, a swim ladder and room for the beach gear. A center console handles longer runs and Gulf-side beaches. A pontoon works for beaches on the inside waters, but pontoons are not approved for the Gulf, so plan the day around Pine Island Sound and the bay.
Shelling Rules: Leave Live Shells on the Beach
All of Lee County, including Sanibel, Captiva, North Captiva and Cayo Costa, bans collecting live shells. Here's what that means on the beach:
- Empty shells only. If anything is living inside, a snail, a hermit crab or a sea star, put it back where you found it, in the water.
- Sand dollars and sea stars count. Live ones stay on the beach or in the water.
- A few exceptions. State rules allow oysters, hard clams, sunray venus clams and coquinas, under separate fishing rules.
- Respect posted areas. Stay off dunes and out of roped-off nesting areas.
What to Bring
Bring a mesh bag, water shoes and sun protection. Our marina store sells shelling tools, sunblock and hats, and you can add beach chairs, umbrellas and a cooler from our rental accessories.
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Sanibel shelling is well known, and Captiva is right next door, and the boat-only islands, Cayo Costa and North Captiva, add quieter beaches. Your captain marks spots on your map.
Can I keep a shell with something living in it?
No. Lee County bans collecting live shells. Keep empty shells only and put anything living back in the water.
Does the tide matter for shelling?
Yes. Tides change where you can beach the boat and how much sand is showing. Your captain goes over the tides at orientation, and the depth finder helps you stay off the shallows.
What should I bring shelling?
A mesh bag, water shoes, sunscreen and plenty of water. Shelling tools are sold at our marina store.
Book Now
Plan a Shelling Day
Paradise Boat Rentals rents boats from Cape Coral for shelling days around the islands, for guests staying in Sanibel, Captiva and North Captiva, and for boaters coming from up near Bokeelia. Book Now or call (239) 758-9512 to reserve your boat.
Open daily 9am–5pm