How to Make Your Captiva Shelling Tour an Unforgettable Experience

A some miles walk along the beaches of Sanibel and its sister Captiva islands will get you a glimpse of people stopping down, looking for amazing among the sands and occasionally picking them up, examining, frowning and throwing them away. Sometimes, you will too get to see them smiling cheerfully as if they have found a few treasure along the shores. If you are latest to the islands, you may discover it all very confusing. But, there is nothing weird regarding these activities. These public are sea shell collectors, who have come from all over the globe to the islands to collect some rare species. And with a small bit of guidance, you can be one of them too. You can book a correctly organized Sanibel and Captiva shelling tours to experience the fun.

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Why is Sanibel island shelling such a delight for travelers?

The Sanibel and Captiva islands in the south west coast of Florida is the home for a diversity of species similar to mollusks and echinoderms. They built good-looking shells in their lifetime to serve as their home and after their die or are eaten away, the blank shells are washed up ashore by the tide. The shape of the islands and their orientation from east to west instead of north-south scoops up those shells for sand combing. Shelling is such a wonderful activity in the Sanibel islands that people from all over the world come to experience it along with their family and friends. Moreover the rich ecological surroundings also serve as a most important tourist attraction.

What kind of shells are found along the coast of Sanibel Islands?

It will be better to ask what kind of shells are not found along the coast of Sanibel islands, because is undoubtedly the shelling paradise. Even if you know a lot regarding shells and their inhabitants, you are likely to be surprised with the unique species that you will discover along the shores of Sanibel and its sister Captiva islands. However, some of the most common kinds of shells found in the beaches have been categorized as follows:

Cockle: One of the most common kinds of shells found along the beaches of Sanibel island are these wonderfully patterned heart shaped shells that serve a variety of household purposes. While few are crafted into ornaments, the big ones are used as soap dishes.

Junonia: It will be a enjoyment for you to find Junonia shells on a casual visit to the Sanibel islands because they are quite rarely found and if found, are covered in the local newspapers for definite. It is good-looking with the outer shell being white with pretty brown dots over its surface. Even the organism that lives within is dotted likewise.

Conch Shells: The conch shells are not that greatly rare, in fact these univalves are simply found on the beaches of Sanibel islands. In shades of faded orange, these shells are generally used for ornamental purposes.

Lightning whelk: Unlike its sisters and brothers of the Busycon Gastropod family unit, the lighting whelk spirals to the left instead of right. That is how you can differentiate the lightning whelk from others. And if you find it with an organism, do not pick it up, please. It is illegal to pick up some shell with the organism still alive and inside.

Sand dollar: Yes, these are quite good-looking and you are lucky if you find one that is unoccupied. The whitish, flat and textured sand dollar shells are one of those that you can keep for show or hang in Christmas trees. Whatever you do, just keep in mind not to pick them up when they are still very much alive.

Tulip: The name implies that these shells look alike to the flower in some way and yes, they do. Any shell collector would be pleased to add these wonderfully patterned species to their collection.

Olive shells: They are glossy and normally white or off-white in color. simple olive shaped, these shells are used for a variety of purposes apart from being a non-functional part of your collection.

Coquinas: These butterfly shaped shells are not that simple to find. They are generally alive when they are dug out by shell collectors. The Coquinas are one of the some species in the Sanibel and Captiva islands that are taken out alive to eat.

Shelling is such a prominent movement in these islands that hotels and guests houses have special arrangement similar to sinks and wash basins to clean the shells that you have collected in the whole day. In short, the tourism of the place is mainly influenced by shelling activities. So if you are preparation for a weekend trip in the Captiva and Sanibel islands, do not not remember to bring your shelling basket along. Who knows, you may the first one among your friends to locate a Junonia variety?

If you wish to spend a fun filled weekend with your family, the Captiva shelling tours are totally apt for such short trips. The author suggests you to book a boat charter service with experienced Sanibel shelling guides and you are sure to have an unforgettable experience.