Beach?

[rhiansmom]

DD(6) has asked to go to the beach so she can find seashells. I rented a car for just one day and want to be able to do this for her. Can you recommend somewhere to go? Also, I know we won't want to stay at the beach all day so where else should be head for that day with the car?

 

[Motherfletcher]

Go to the Gulf coast for shells. Siesta Key is one of the best beaches in the State.

 

[Fabooliss]

I was just thinking about this myself. How long a drive is it? We would probably want to stay. Are there any good hotels around. Something comparable to POP in price would be good.

 

[kilee]

From the WDW area we got to Daytona in about 1 hr even. We got to Clearwater in about 1hr and 20 minutes. Both are nice in their own way. I wouldn't stay in Daytona. However, for a quick beach trip to collect shells, the drive isn't so bad. In that sense Cocoa Beach would be about the same too.
We prefer Clearwater, but if you don't want to spend a lot of time there, you may not want to make the drive.

 

[PortieOwner]

You should be able to find nice shells on the white sand beaches near St. Pete. Driving time might be well over two hours.

Portie

 

[Markstudy]

Clearwater Beach is good.

There is also a great beach about 2 miles south of Clearwater Beach called- Sand Key State Park. Very nice and most people don't know about it. (Very nice if Clearwater Beach is crowded on the day that you drive down)

 

[Ted and Holly]

From the WDW area we got to Daytona in about 1 hr even. We got to Clearwater in about 1hr and 20 minutes. Both are nice in their own way. I wouldn't stay in Daytona. However, for a quick beach trip to collect shells, the drive isn't so bad. In that sense Cocoa Beach would be about the same too.
We prefer Clearwater, but if you don't want to spend a lot of time there, you may not want to make the drive.

If I was looking for shells, I would drive the extra distance and go to the Gulf side. It would pay to check the red tide maps and reports before you go, however.

http://research.myfwc.com/features/view_article.asp?id=9670#Stat

Ted

 

[Wigit12]

My grandmother lives on the Gulf side. Her friends makes a lot of crafts with shells and swears by Honeymoon Island. I would guess 1 1/2-2 hour drive.

You could always do Busch Gardens and/or their water park while you're near there.

 

[Amity 3]

the north beach of Honeymoon Island is very rocky compared to the south beach, that's why it's a great shelling area.

spend the extra half hour in the car and visit the Gulf beaches.

 

[Markstudy]

Honeymoon Island's Caladesi State Park was named in the Nations Top 10 beaches this year.

Duneden Florida is the next town just north of Clearwater Florida. Honeymoon Island use to be called "pig island" but they re-named it to get people to go there 1930's ??? not sure on that date.

From Honeymoon Island you can take the park boat to Caladesi State Park(Sp?) or you can walk there from Clearwater beach since the in-let has now filled in with sand...BUT BE WARNED- a 1 mile walk in soft sand ( north of last public parking lot at clearwater beach) takes good legs. Caladesi is 3 miles long once you get there, no stores or businesses,... very remote. Just a park ranger station, boat dock, and stand to get snacks

Caladesi is hard to get to (it has few people that make the trip) so you find lots and lots of shells. Best to go early in the day. ( THE BASIC RULE IS.... LESS PEOPLE, MORE SHELLS LEFT ON THE BEACH EACH MORNING) Very Beautiful and worth the trip if you love nature

Tons of shells, but I've still seen 3 old ladies try to pick-up 500 good shells each, and leave nothing for the tourist on some days.... just because they got up at 6:00 am.

Other days I've gone and the shells have been washed up for days without anyone picking them up. You never know.

Best time to shell hunt is after a huricane. For weeks after, many interesting things wash up.