The Do's and Don'ts of Shell Collecting on Sanibel Island - By: Sylvia Guarino

Bringing home a little bit of Sanibel with you will provide
memories to last a life time!

My hesitation to concentrate on the wonderful shelling in writing about
Sanibel is that everyone knows that fact. Sanibel is considered
one of the three best places in the entire world to go shelling.
Although it is in third place, the first two, the Pacific
Islands and Africa are a little remote for the majority of
visitors who come to Sanibel. So Sanibel attracts shell
collectors from all over the country and as well as outside of
the country.

While there are many, many things that distinguish Sanibel
Island as a resort vacation destination, it is undeniable that
the quality of shelling sets it apart.

It is also worth mentioning that many of Sanibel's shells are
simply works of art.

A fruitful day on the beach is not just entertaining, it is a
treasure hunt that can result in a wonderful find.

But first the treasure hunter needs to be prepared to make the
most of the shelling experience and protect the shells found and
gathered.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that live shells are
not allowed in your shell collection. Because seashells are
important to the islands' chain of life, and because Sanibel and
Captiva are refuge islands where all life is considered
precious, the State of Florida has outlawed the collecting of
live shells on the island. "Live shell" is defined as any
specimen containing an inhabitant, whether or not the mollusk
seems alive. The law also protects sand dollars, starfish and
sea urchins. All shelling is prohibited in J.N. "Ding" Darling
National Wildlife Refuge.

Aside from avoiding collecting live shells, it is best for the
Island ecology not to try to remove buckets of shells from the
beaches. It is also best for you. Not only are the shells an
example of your cup runneth over when you arrive home with lots
of shells and no where to keep them, shell collections are best
viewed as "less is more". In the words of Anne Morrow Lindbergh,
wife of famed aviator, Charles Lindbergh, the shells of Sanibel
and Captiva should be viewed as individual pieces: "One cannot
collect all the beautiful shells on the beach. One can collect
only a few, and they are more beautiful if they are few."

There are few places in the world where you can bring home such
beauty from a vacation, and all for free!

So with a cautionary and conservation philosophy in mind, here
are the essentials of shell collecting:

Be Prepared. Bring a bucket, a net bag and a scoop, and plenty
of sun lotion as well as a hat if it is a hot, sunny day (as
most days are on Sanibel!).

Shell at low tide preferably and after a storm to find the
maximum number of shells and maximum variety.

Soak shells in a 50/50 solution of water and bleach, few hours
or overnight. If any barnacles or other matter is left remove
with a pick or toothbrush. To make shells shine wipe with
mineral oil or baby oil.

You may collect sand dollars but first check to make sure that
the sand dollar is not alive - turn it over - there are little
centipede feet up and down the backside - gently touch them with
your finger to see if they move and its alive. If alive gently
place back into the water and if they do not move, then you have
just found one of the islands treasures!

To bleach a sand dollar white it is important to soak in fresh
water first. Water will be a brownish color, change water
frequently until fairly clear or just continually flush with
water until water stays fairly clear. Soak in a 50/50 solution
of bleach and water for 5-10 minutes. Do not soak too long in
bleach solution as sand dollar may crumble. Rinse thoroughly, let
dry preferably in sun to bleach further. To harden sand dollar
for crafts or display: Mix equal portions of white glue and
water. With paint brush cover sand dollar with mixture. Let dry.

As mentioned in a much earlier blog post, Sanibel Island is
renowned for its great shelling. The phrase "Sanibel Stoop"
refers to the many people you will see all year long bent over
collecting shells from the beach.

Sanibel is considered one of the three best places in the entire world to go shelling.
Although it is in third place, the first two, the Pacific Islands and Africa are a little remote for the majority of visitors who come to Sanibel. So Sanibel attracts shell
collectors from all over the country and as well as outside of the country.

Sylvia Guarino is a professional writer specializing in health and fitness. She and her husband own vacation rental properties on Sanibel Island. For more information on Sanibel, Accommodations, Discounts, Things to Do, please go to my blog: http://sanibel-rentalsnet.blogspot.com/