Marco Island: Shelling bucket list

Shelling around Marco Island and the 10,000 Islands is world-class. Beaches made out of shells cover the Gulf side of our barrier islands. So if you’re a true sheller, going on a shelling boat tour out of Marco is a must-do and a definite bucket list item.

So many shells…

You can find hundreds of species of shells on the beaches here. Giant shells like lightning whelks and Florida horse conchs are found here, which can measure anywhere from 12 to 24 inches or more in length! Tiny shells such as a baby’s ears, Wentletraps, or keyhole limpets and found too. Delicate shells like sand dollars, angel wings, or flat zigzag scallops are a real treasure. Every day of shelling is genuinely a surprise, as you never know what will wash ashore.

Why are there so many shells on Marco Island?

People always wonder why there are so many shells around Marco Island. The reason is a couple of things. For one, there are hundreds of species of shellfish that live in this near-shore environment. You will often find live shells on the beach at low tide, especially in the winter. Therefore, the shells that live here are doing just fine in the water on the high tide, and all of a sudden, they find themselves stuck on the beach when the water goes out with the falling tide. It can be fascinating to find live shells on the beach, but let’s remember that that’s where they will stay – live shelling is illegal in Florida, so the starfish and the cockles and the big horse cocks that are still alive, we will leave behind to swim another day.

Tides and currents in the 10,000 Islands

Another reason there are so many shells is because of the currents. A strong southerly current flows down the Gulf Coast towards Marco Island, bringing shells from as far away as the Panhandle of Florida. However, cross-current also comes from the deeper Gulf near Cape Romano. This is why we find so many rare shells around Marco Island, as the Gulf currents bring in deep water species such as the coveted Junonia.

The rare Junonia: Your “J” is waiting to find you

Why is the Junonia shell so sought-after? Every sheller wants to find a Junonia because it is one of the rarest shells in Florida. This yellow and brown spotted marine snail lives probably 100 to 300 miles offshore. The Junonia may be hard-to-find because it’s so rare, but our captains have some special knowledge, having done this for years and years, to help you find one! We like to say, “your Junonia finds you.” Most Junonia shells are sitting on the beach like a little brown spotted present waiting for you to walk along and pick it up. You have to know where and when to look.

Every shelling boat tour is a shell of a good time!

Whether you are looking for one unique shell or want to fill up a 5-gallon bucket, we know where the best showing beaches are on Marco Island and the 10,000 Islands. So hop on one of our highly-rated shelling boat tours, and you’ll be guaranteed to make some incredible shelling memories.