Good places, if any, for shelling

I read that sherman inlet is a good place for shelling. (Located in Pensacola). Does anyone know if this is accurate? And does anyone know of any other good places to shell in Destin, Ft Walton, 30A area, or Pensacola? Thanks Melissa

Hi,

We were there last week, stayed in Seaside. I rarely saw any shells on the beach where we stayed.

I read that sherman inlet is a good place for shelling. (Located in Pensacola). Does anyone know if this is accurate? And does anyone know of any other good places to shell in Destin, Ft Walton, 30A area, or Pensacola? Thanks Melissa

ok, i suck at posting info on here....sorry.

as i was saying.....we found lots of big sand dollars and saw different varieties of starfish which we took underwater pictures of, but left in the water as they were alive. you'll see hermit crabs, sea urchins, tiny fish, sting rays...it's like an aquarium and worth the price of the boat rental.

i would imagine after a big storm the shells are more plentiful, but i rarely saw them on the beach.

good luck.

b.
ok, now i'm really done.

ok, i suck at posting info on here....sorry.

as i was saying.....we found lots of big sand dollars and saw different varieties of starfish which we took underwater pictures of, but left in the water as they were alive. you'll see hermit crabs, sea urchins, tiny fish, sting rays...it's like an aquarium and worth the price of the boat rental.

i would imagine after a big storm the shells are more plentiful, but i rarely saw them on the beach.

good luck.

b.
ok, now i'm really done.

none of this makes sense.....i think part of the message is missing that said we rented a pontoon boat in panama beach and took it to the sandbar at shell island.

This may be out of your range...but there is wonderful shelling on Shell Island. This protected island can be accessed on a pontoon boat departing from St. Andrews State Park. It is a short ride over to the island. The island can only be accessed by boat so there are no as many shell harvesters working the island. If you can plan you trip to get there around low tide timeThis pretty little barrier island is uninhabitated and like I said only reached by boat. You may also be able o find someone out of the PC Marina to ride you over and bring you back...There is a small sheltered cove where people meet to swim and listen to music..It is definetiley protected from the tourista's If you want more information, call the park Ranger at St. Andrews. Some people use to run pontoon trips that went out and the dophins would swim alongside. I do not live there and am no able to visit one once a year. The dophin runs may no longer be allowed

I've had my best success snorkeling out in the middle section, between the first and second sandbar. Good luck if you try. Take deep breaths and go get um

The trick is to either hit the beaches a day or so after a good storm, which we haven't had for weeks, or to get away from people.
If you're in the P'cola area, I've had great success going out onto Pensacola Island and then as far West as you can. Park, and start walking West. It will usually take a good mile to start leaving all the other walkers behind and the quantity of shells picks up.
Another thing that works great is to snorkel the first ten feet of the water at the surf line. Shells make it nearly all the way in and then just roll around until they are destroyed.

It's taken a few years, but I have quite a nice collection. Go into my user info and you'll find a gallery of shell pictures. Like these...

There's a ridge just past the second sand bar that catches most of the good shells, but if you travel east toward Apalachicola the ridge disappears and there are a lot of large shells.

I wish it weren't such a long drive over that way. I'd go more often.

Anthony,
Thank you so much! I appreciate all the helpful info. I never really thought I would find any shells on the panhandle; I had given up. But last year, there was a huge amount of shells onshore in Destin. It was after a big storm, and it was crazy! The shells were all buried in this huge wall of sand. We spoke to a couple who said they'd been vacationing in Destin for 18 years and never found any shells....anyway, it renewed my love of shelling, so I'm trying to find some good places...I think what happened last year in Destin was a fluke and probably wont happen again. I'm not familiar with the location where you live...how far is Hogtown Bayou from Pensacola? Thanks again, and I love all your shell pictures..very impressive collection! Melissa

Thanks everybody for all your helpful advice. I really appreciate it! And dont worry Becki G...I have a terrible time with posting stuff too. This is all new to me. I will ask a stupid question...how do you thank others for their posts, without posting another message?
Melissa

I will ask a stupid question...how do you thank others for their posts, without posting another message?
Melissa

Click the blue Thx ;-) button on the post you wish to thank.

Anthony,
Thank you so much! I appreciate all the helpful info. I never really thought I would find any shells on the panhandle; I had given up. But last year, there was a huge amount of shells onshore in Destin. It was after a big storm, and it was crazy! The shells were all buried in this huge wall of sand. We spoke to a couple who said they'd been vacationing in Destin for 18 years and never found any shells....anyway, it renewed my love of shelling, so I'm trying to find some good places...I think what happened last year in Destin was a fluke and probably wont happen again. I'm not familiar with the location where you live...how far is Hogtown Bayou from Pensacola? Thanks again, and I love all your shell pictures..very impressive collection! Melissa

About 3 counties away. I'm in Walton County. Santa Rosa Beach. Not Santa Rosa County which is just East of Pensacola.
I've had good luck shelling in Pensacola also once you get away from the crowds. Get onto Pensacola Island (Gonna cost you $1 to go over the bridge onto the island) and then turn right just past the Tom Thumb, go as far as you can and park and the public park. Get on the beach and head West. After about a mile, you will start seeing more shells as most people don't go much further than that and turn around.

I am so jealous! My husband and I are giving serious consideration regarding a possible move to Florida, in the area of Ft Walton Beach/Destin area, after he graduates from college next May.
Thanks so much for the shelling info, we are coming to Destin for a week next Saturday (Aug 8th) and I am so ready. Thank you! Melissa

Most beaches will see an uptick in shells following any more powerful T-storms which we have been having for about a day now. Anything that gets waves up a bit will naturally carry in more "stuff".

I agree with Anthony about snorkeling along the edge of the lip -- that's always turned them up for me. We visit only once or twice per year, but I find great shells every time and have a wide-ranging collection from just the past 4-5 years. I find scotch bonnets (my favorite) washed up on the beach every time we visit Seagrove, for some reason. Found tons after a good storm, too, but I had to net them in the surf in the early morning before the other beachcombers woke up. I've heard many people say you can't find shells on 30-A beaches, but I always do -- they're there if you look... (Oh, and if the June grass is onshore, look for sea beans, too. Found some of those last year, including my first "hamburger bean." Cute.)

Great shelling on Cape San Blas. St. George Island and Mexico beach arent' bad either.

Shells after a storm

Storm coming in tonight will make for great shelling a few days after. Get out the snorkel!

Are there any shell in South Walton on the beach? Is there shelling along 30A?

No shells on 30A. At least from our 20 years of experience. Have driven over to Mexico Beach occasionally and have found shells and have seen dolphins. (We have driven Front Beach Road/PCB to Mexico Beach to look at what might remain from decades ago, plus the changes. Heading to Pensacola, we like the Navarre area along the beach to Pensacola. Glad we stay on 30A. Can't imagine Destin or PCB.)
Ellen

Great shelling on Cape San Blas. St. George Island and Mexico beach arent' bad either.

Like Suma mentioned, there are plenty of shells year around at these locations. There is a park on the eastern side of Mexico beach before you come to Wind Mark Resort that allows you to wander the shores. I`ve found many shells here. You can also follow Cape San Blas road out the St Joe Peninsula State Park and find plenty of shells along the shoreline. The further east you travel, the more plentiful the shells become.

It is not wholly correct to say "there are no shells" on Walton County beaches. They are more scarce than those spots noted above, to be sure. If you really want to find shells here, get a mask and snorkel, get out between the sand bars and you can frequently find a few. Just a thought.

I think it depends on the time of the year. Summer is not the best time for shelling. Fall, winter, and spring are usually better. We have found some amazing shells here over the years.