Perusing the beaches for shells is the easiest and most lucrative shelling option. The Sanibel Chamber of Commerce recommends shelling on the Gulf-side beaches. Because of the island's geography as a twisting landmass among a group of more linearly arranged islands, shells from the Caribbean and southern seas naturally collect upon Sanibel's shores. Shell at low-tide, when the largest area of beach is exposed, and bring a bucket and a small shovel. In general, the smaller shells are found at the southern beaches, and the larger shells are found further north. As you shell, bear in mind that it is against the law to collect live shells, or shells that contain inhabitants.
There are other ways to shell on Sanibel, as well. You can sign up for a trip with a scuba-diving company, which will take you out to any one of many man-made reefs or shipwrecks off the coast of the island, were you can scuba dive and look for shells. The Chamber of Commerce recommends "Buccaneer Adventures" on Captiva Island, just north of Sanibel, for scuba diving trips.
Snorkeling is a less involved, though less exotic, way to dive for shells. You can rent or buy snorkeling gear easily, and many companies on the island facilitate tours of the islands, beaches and waters. The Chamber of Commerce lists a number of companies whose tours include snorkeling, such as the Sanibel Island Cruise Line, Captain Paul's Yacht Charters and Captain Dennis. When snorkeling, especially in water less than ten or twelve feet deep, you can hold your breath and dive down to the bottom to pick up shells. In addition to the snorkeling opportunities, these tours will also take you shelling at areas more remote than Sanibel's public beaches.
Sanibel Island, together with its neighbor to the north, Captiva Island, provides some of the best shelling in the world. Whether you want to search for shells on the beaches, snorkel for shells in shallow water, or scuba dive in deeper water, you will find your efforts rewarding.
