Shelling in Naples, FL, is a popular activity for beach visitors of all ages and can be done year-round. It's a great way to find a souvenir from your vacation.

You'll find a wide variety of shells along the Gulf Coast throughout Southwest Florida just by walking the shoreline. Here are a few shells you may spot and a few tips to find the best ones.

When you start, take your time. Walking along the shore slowly and carefully is the key to finding seashells. The best times to search for your perfect souvenir is low tide. The receding water exposes more of the beach, giving you more area to search. No matter what time you go, though, be sure to wear sunscreen and drink plenty of water. The Florida sun shines bright!

One of the many beaches where you can find seashells is Vanderbilt Beach. This is a fantastic spot if you are searching for seashells in the summer months. Just north of Vanderbilt Beach is the Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park. This area is known for its multitude of shells, including sand dollars. During low tide, you can find piles of shells.

Be sure to respect the environment no matter where you go shelling. If you find an inhabited conch shell or a live sand dollar, put them back in the water.

Naples beaches are a paradise for shell hunters who want to find everything from highly sought-after lightning whelks to murex and jingle shells. The lightning whelk is an attractive conch shell ranging in color from amber to brown to pink. Murex shells are white or tan and have speckles of brown and purple. Jingle shells don’t make any sound, but can be found sitting quietly in the sand along the shore. These oval-shaped shells have a white or slightly tan coloring with a pattern of raised dots.

If you are looking for a place to stay while searching for seashells, the Inn at Pelican Bay is the perfect spot. We have a complimentary beach shuttle that will take you to and from Vanderbilt Beach! Call us at (239) 597-8777 to book a shelling trip.