Good shelling destinations?

[shelling4life]

:) Hi, what areas have you all been that had wonderful shelling opportunities>? We also love to snorkel. Dont know about diving. Prefer to snorkel, as hb isnt a real good swimmer and gets kinda claustrophobic.:)

[Louise22]

I would be surprised if you find very many places that permit picking up shells off the beach. Shells are considered part of the environment and off limits to collectors at least in most places of the South Pacific.

[cruise_lover]

I never thought of collecting Shells. I'll try and do research this weekend and post back, that is, if I remember.

[Spikesgirl]

This probably isn't going to help you, but the absolutely best shelling that I have every seen in my vast expereince of beachcombing was in New Zealand, along 90 Mile Beach (northern coast where the Tasman sea meets the Pacific. This beach, as the name suggests, is vast and goes on for miles. There were so many shells of so many varieties that I nearly vapor locked. And, yes, shell collecting was even encouraged here, as long as no one was at home any longer.

 

Just absolutely incredible and have never seen the likes of it again in all of our South Pacific travels.

 

Charlie

[firefly333]

Iv even picked up shells after a storm along the Florida coast. I lived there and if they were saying not to pick up shells, I think I would have heard it. Lived in Boca Raton for over 13 years. True, if you find a conch it is illegal to take them if there is a live guy living inside the shell, then you have to put it back.

[Sanibel*Gal]

Iv even picked up shells after a storm along the Florida coast. I lived there and if they were saying not to pick up shells, I think I would have heard it. Lived in Boca Raton for over 13 years. True, if you find a conch it is illegal to take them if there is a live guy living inside the shell, then you have to put it back.

 

 

We live in SW Florida as well and the island I work on, Sanibel & her sister island Captiva are known as the "Shell Capital of the World"!:) I have only cruised in the Caribbean, but have never seen the variety of shells we have here. Very true, if the shells are still alive (even Sanddollars) it is illegal to keep them.:eek: But there are soooo many that are unoccupied and wash up on the beach, you usually don't have to worry!

[cruise_lover]

Shelling4life - are you talking about shelling in the U.S. or the Caribbean? I guess since you placed your question in the "Ask a Cruise Question" board you were talking about picking up shells out of the U.S.

[hobbit81]

I'm not positive, but you might want to check customs too. I think there is something about not bringing shells back into the US due to agricultural problems, etc?