The Perfect Souvenir From This Florida Gulf Coast Resort

Discover Captiva Island - one of the best places in the world to collect seashells. Begin your search along the shore of this iconic Gulf Coast hotel. The island is part of a plateau, which extends into the Gulf of Mexico for miles, serving as a shelf for seashells to collect. The unique geography of the island acts like a scoop for dislodged shells. Tides push the shells up onto Sunset Beach and South Beach near this Florida Gulf hotel resort, and right to the tips of your fingers and toes.

WHERE TO LOOK

• High tide line is where you'll find the most shells.
• Tidal pools are the best places to find the largest shells.

TIMING

• The best time for shelling is at low tide. The lower the tide, the better.
• New and full moons mean that the tide will be at its lowest, so don't just check the tide charts, check the moon charts as well.
• After a storm, particularly a winter storm, shelling is at its best.
• Windy days in particular are the best days for shelling!

Please note that Florida law prohibits the collection of live shells. If it is still alive, please return it to the water. Also, South Seas Island Resort is devoted to clearly marking turtle nesting areas, so please remember to steer clear of any of these markings on the beaches.