Best 30A Beaches for Finding Shells?

[Paula]

We like to look for shells and wondered where the best beaches on 30A are for finding shells, especially little "fancy" ones. We found so many beautiful shells after Ivan.

Has anyone taken the trip to shell island and is it worth it? Crowded?

[shakennotstirred]

I was very surprised of the shells the kids were finding a couple weeks ago in Dune Allen Beach. All the years I have been visiting, I have only seen small shells or pieces of larger ones. The kids collected a whole bucket full & a lot were larger whole shells. I joking accused one of the parents of buying them at a gift shop & planting them on the beach for the kids to find!

[Miss Kitty]

Don't know about shells, but I know where you can get some good topsoil for your garden. Try Seagrove near the Andalusia walkover. :( :pissed:

[jdarg]

We have never really found shells at Grayton until last summer, and we figured that was due to Dennis. We found some neat ones, but still not like other places in Florida. I remember reading somewhere why there aren't lots of shells in the area, but I can't remember the reason- maybe someone else knows.

[shakennotstirred]

We have never really found shells at Grayton until last summer, and we figured that was due to Dennis. We found some neat ones, but still not like other places in Florida. I remember reading somewhere why there aren't lots of shells in the area, but I can't remember the reason- maybe someone else knows.

http://www.sowal.com/bb/showthread.php?t=529&highlight=shells

[jdarg]

http://www.sowal.com/bb/showthread.php?t=529&highlight=shells


Thanks! This is a great thread- very informative AND, in true SoWal fashion, funny. In this thread, SJ discusses the use of crap nets.:floor:

[Ocean Lover]

http://sowal.com/bb/gallery/files/4/8/3/PICT1664.JPG
I found these last August at Grayton Beach State Park. I walk in the surf and you can see the sand dollars washing in.

[TooFarTampa]

Just pointing out the obvious benefit of the overall lack of shells -- lots of shells make for grainier, darker and sometimes uncomfortable sand. Beaches along the west coast of Florida are great for shelling (and in some places ancient sharks' teeth) but trust me when I say the Panhandle beaches have it very good indeed.

It also makes treasures like Ocean Lover's even more special!

[KISH7374]

We were in Seacrest Beach last August and the collection of shells found were the best I have ever seen in the last 6 years. My granddaughter had a field day on the beach. Shell Island is great for shells but you have to get there early. If you have your own transportation to the island it is great but a little bit of a pain if you have to take the shuttle. You are at their mercy and can't leave when you are ready. That wait for the next shuttle seems to take forever and you get miserable in the heat waiting. No shade at all.

[30ARules]

We've stayed all along 30A and have always found plenty of shells! Last time was 2 weeks ago and we brought home a large bucket of shells and shell pieces. Family shell walks are funn! Kids love showing you the shells they find.:clap_1: I like the fact that they are not all over the place, makes finding big ones that much more special.:cool:

[jdarg]

When I was little we always went to the beach around the Clearwater/St. Pete area. We would find huge welks and conchs! I don't see those on the Panhandle, but only being there one week a year may have something to do with it! The shells we found last summer were beautiful but small- lots of olives, a few scallops, and the cool sandbar was half sand/half quarter-sized sand dollars!

[aquaticbiology]

shell island is in pcb and costs about 10$ to get there and back, but you can stay as long as you want

i haven't been on it in probably 30 years, but it was 'just ok' back then and really wasn't worth getting off the boat which was cool and had a glass bottom so you could see the cool sea grass, tubeworms, fish and crabs on the bottom

the island lost a bit of height during the hurricanes, and the one and only structure (bathrooms) blew into the bay

no trails or bathhouse or bathrooms or shade or camping

lots of snakes and the biggest spiders you ever saw are up in the woods on the high west end of the island by the pass

used to have a lot of shells until captain anderson started running 30+ folks out there every two hours, then the shell island shuttle got a bunch of money during the 1996 olympics and at least one shell island shuttle has been making 15 minute runs from st andrews state park for the last few years

you'll probably find more shells at the jetties in st andrews state park waiting for the shuttle to come

usually one person a year gets fried by lightning on the east end of the island at weakfish point

unless you are a hardy beach comber i'd say avoid it cause that's all there is

[Paula]

Great responses and I'm optimistic we'll find more shells right on 30A this year. Aquaticbiology -- you are too funny (and honest)!

[Johnrudy]

I've always found LOTS of shells all my life and my house is full of what I've found since I was a little girl - - but you have to go at sunrise. You'd be surprised what all is there at that time. It's worth it.

[Beachlover2]

JR - you are so right - I walk the beach almost every morning when we are down there between 6 and 7 am - sometimes I am gone for 2 hours or more and on those days my husband knows I am coming back with treasures. :clap_1: :clap_1:

We leave them behind in various places around the condo and I am amazed at how very few have disappeared over the years. My crock pot is gone - but my shells are still around. :confused:

[30A Skunkape]

If you prefer to sleep in a little later you can be proactive and get a pair of goggles and go find them 'offshore'. I swim out to the sandbar with Mrs Skunkape on a noodle and simply swim to the bottom and probe with my hands. You can use a small net if you are chicken, but there are tons of shells not to mention interesting critters.

[dbuck]

If you prefer to sleep in a little later you can be proactive and get a pair of goggles and go find them 'offshore'. I swim out to the sandbar with Mrs Skunkape on a noodle and simply swim to the bottom and probe with my hands. You can use a small net if you are chicken, but there are tons of shells not to mention interesting critters.
You be careful. Those sandbars further out in the water are where they say the sharks are. :eek:

[30A Skunkape]

You be careful. Those sandbars further out in the water are where they say the sharks are. :eek:

Yeah, and HWYs 30A and 98 are full of people operating multiton machines drunk, yapping on cellphones, speeding, etc. :pissed: I'll take my chances with the sharks. We can't live scared, people! :razz:

[OnMackBayou]

I took my 5 year old daughter to Shell Island last summer. The best part about the trip is the boat ride.

There isn't anything to see once you get to Shell Island. It's just a beach, and on our trip we had about an hour to goof around once we got there. My favorite memory was on the way back. Our tour boat reached a point where we were at a diagonal looking west down Panama City Beach, and all the old and new hi rise condos were in a nice line. My daughter shouted "Daddy, look! New York City!"

I glanced up and sure enough, the view was somewhat sadly, eerily similar.

[30A Skunkape]

:pissed: I took my 5 year old daughter to Shell Island last summer. The best part about the trip is the boat ride.

There isn't anything to see once you get to Shell Island. It's just a beach, and on our trip we had about an hour to goof around once we got there. My favorite memory was on the way back. Our tour boat reached a point where we were at a diagonal looking west down Panama City Beach, and all the old and new hi rise condos were in a nice line. My daughter shouted "Daddy, look! New York City!"

I glanced up and sure enough, the view was somewhat sadly, eerily similar.
:pissed:

[wintersbk]

How long a drive is it to Cape San Blas, Port St. Joseph Peninsula from Seagrove?

[Smiling JOe]

How long a drive is it to Cape San Blas, Port St. Joseph Peninsula from Seagrove?
The drive from Seagrove to the base of Cape San Blas is a solid two hours without any traffic.

Shells don't mean much unless you found them yourself, hence collections not being lifted from rental units.

Swimming out the distance of the existing sandbar, is against WalCo ordinances.

Sharks swim over, and can more often be found out that far, but occasionally, they can be found very close to the beach, like the one which swimmed close to shore in Grayton on Friday evening. Even if you see one, it doesn't mean that they are going to eat you. Just be sure that you don't swim out with bait in your pocket or get tangled in a school of baitfish. Baitfish often go to cover and you would certainly be their cover when being chased by Dolphin or a Shark.

[Smiling JOe]

Yeah, and HWYs 30A and 98 are full of people operating multiton machines drunk, yapping on cellphones, speeding, etc. :pissed: I'll take my chances with the sharks. We can't live scared, people! :razz:

Skunk, you must have seen the girl in the Mercedes yapping on the cell phone as she pulled across 2.5 lanes as she tried to take out me and my car the other day in Sandestin. I laid on the horn, and she barely reacted.

Or, perhaps you saw the Mexican in big green truck proudly displaying the huge American Flag as he turned halfway into my lane as I was attempting to cross hwy 98.

Sharks, shmarks. The rip-currents have already killed more people in this area year to date than all of the shark attacks in this area for the last 5 years. Cigarettes and car wrecks have also taken many more lives. Don't get me wrong, when I am out in the water, I keep an eye out for the big dark moving splotches, but not nearly as much as I do for autos entering my lane.

[CastlesOfSand]

I always find shells when I'm on 30A. I like to walk the beach in the mornings as well. Last time we were there I found many large unbroken shells out on the sandbars. You could literally walk out to the sandbars when we were there without getting in water over your ankles. I also found the arrow head (my tar for now) in the surf just where the waves break (at Seagrove Beach). I think we found at least 10 sand dollars as well. I love to hunt for treasure!!!! :cool:

[aquaticbiology]

Just pointing out the obvious benefit of the overall lack of shells -- lots of shells make for grainier, darker and sometimes uncomfortable sand. Beaches along the west coast of Florida are great for shelling (and in some places ancient sharks' teeth) but trust me when I say the Panhandle beaches have it very good indeed.

It also makes treasures like Ocean Lover's even more special!

what perzactly is an Ocean Lovers shell - my curiosity got the best of me and i had to ask

[TooFarTampa]

what perzactly is an Ocean Lovers shell - my curiosity got the best of me and i had to ask

See post No. 7

[JB]

Crooked Island off Tyndall is a spot where we've had pretty good luck shelling. To my knowledge, there is no shuttle, so you have to access it with your own boat. Three years ago, I found the biggest whole sand dollar I've ever seen.

[Smiling JOe]

Crooked Island off Tyndall is a spot where we've had pretty good luck shelling. To my knowledge, there is no shuttle, so you have to access it with your own boat. Three years ago, I found the biggest whole sand dollar I've ever seen.Oh no :nono1:, you don't want to go there. You may step on a land mind, get eaten by an alligator or shark, get shot by the military folks, have a bomb accidentally dropped on your head, etc. Stay away from Crooked Island, unless you take me as your guide.

JB, shame on you! ;-) Now stop it, or I am never going to post another photo of that house in Blue Mtn.

[JB]

I had a feeling I might be giving away a secret. But since I sold my boat..... :lol:

I would like to see a progres pic of the BMB house, though.

[30A Skunkape]

Oh no :nono1:, you don't want to go there. You may step on a land mind, get eaten by an alligator or shark, get shot by the military folks, have a bomb accidentally dropped on your head, etc. Stay away from Crooked Island, unless you take me as your guide.

JB, shame on you! ;-) Now stop it, or I am never going to post another photo of that house in Blue Mtn.

Hey, .44 caliber empties don't count as shells? :funn:

[Smiling JOe]

Hey, .44 caliber empties don't count as shells? :funn:No, but the unfound vintage WWII stuff does. They don't post signs out there for nothing.

[aquaticbiology]

http://sowal.com/bb/gallery/files/4/8/3/PICT1664.JPG
I found these last August at Grayton Beach State Park. I walk in the surf and you can see the sand dollars washing in.

ok, in the pic for post #7, i see a big and little sand dollar (middle), a big and a little blood ark (left side), a big and little strawberry cockle (right side), a scallop that grew in muddy sand (red tint) and either a sunrise tellin or possibly a donax varibalis going off the edge at the bottom (sorry, don't know the common name for that one)

so which one is an 'ocean lovers'? i'd probably guess it's the blood ark

google is totally useless on 'ocean lovers' shell name

this just gave me a idea for adding contextual photos to my shell collection - neat! adds just another layer of detail of where and when found, conditions, etc., especially involving growth series of a particular species

[TooFarTampa]

ok, in the pic for post #7, i see a big and little sand dollar, a big and a little blood ark, a big and little strawberry cockle, a scallop that grew in muddy sand (red tint) and either a sunrise tellin or possibly a donax varibalis going off the edge at the bottom (sorry, don't know the common name for that one)

so which one is an 'ocean lovers'? i'd probably guess it's the blood ark

google is totally useless on 'ocean lovers' shell name

'Ocean Lover' is the screen name of the person who posted the shell pic. Those are Ocean Lover's shells. She found them at Grayton Beach. :D

And I think they are treasures no matter what they are called, but thanks for the IDs on the shells!

[aquaticbiology]

'Ocean Lover' is the screen name of the person who posted the shell pic. Those are Ocean Lover's shells. She found them at Grayton Beach. :D

And I think they are treasures no matter what they are called, but thanks for the IDs on the shells!


DOH! :doh: Jeez i am so dense sometimes - i get it now! 'treasures' in the adjective as opposed to the noun and ocean lover's in the possessive :oops:

sorry about that

[TooFarTampa]

DOH! :doh: Jeez i am so dense sometimes - i get it now! 'treasures' in the adjective as opposed to the noun and ocean lover's in the possessive :oops:

sorry about that

:D

[Smiling JOe]

Now I understand.:floor:

[seagrovelover]

When we were on vacation in 2004 my kids found over 100 sand dollars right off the beach in old seagrove, it was amazing....we still have all of them!!! They were everywhere we looked!!!! :cool:

[Paula]

Sounds like I'll be visiting the different beaches along 30A at sunrise during my upcoming vacation. Thanks for all the tips! I'll let you know if I find any shells. I'm sitting here in our living room in Michigan now looking at the many gorgeous shells I found right after Ivan at Seacrest Beach.

[Cil]

I've found some humongus Lightning Whelks over here off 30A in Gulf County, also a couple Horse Conchs.
My particular haunt right now is around Salinas Park, but some of them have been found further up, on Cape San Blas.

My favorite shells are the Paper Figs, the Scotch Bonnets and Tuns.
They are a challenge because it is hard to find ones without holes or cracks.
Also Murex--they do not seem very common here.

Last week I found a Tun as big as my fist! I got all excited, bent down to pick it up, and saw that it was occupied! Oops, excuse me, Mr. Hermit Crab.

I had a nice collection of sand dollars until my cat knocked them off the table.