Beaches; closest to Disney and ...

[BeckityBobbidyBoo!]

a good place to look for shells. Is there any good shelling on the Atlantic side? Do you know the closest Gulf beach to Disney? Any suggestions appreciated.

 

[TravelinGal]

Here's an old thread about beaches near Tampa. The water is usually a bit warmer and less turbulent (safer for the kids!)

Nothing specific about shelling though... but it's a starting point.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1071898

 

[ligirlz]

Oh I love Siesta Key. I try to go there when i can since I live about 2 hours away. Very quiet and serene and if I remember there are shells there. You can also check out Anna Maria Island, Treasure Island and St. Pete beach all on the Gulf side. Also check out Cocoa Beach and Vero Beach on the Atlantic side.

 

[summermac]

We vacationed at St. Augustine Beach last year and I was amazed at the amount of shells in the mornings. Also, the beach is HUGE. We almost split our June WDW trip up to include 2 nights at St. Aug but with young kids, that's probably too much work.

We can't WAIT to go back to St. Aug. LOVE IT!

 

[Tam1067]

We vacationed at St. Augustine Beach last year and I was amazed at the amount of shells in the mornings. Also, the beach is HUGE. We almost split our June WDW trip up to include 2 nights at St. Aug but with young kids, that's probably too much work.

We can't WAIT to go back to St. Aug. LOVE IT!

We're planning to spend 2-3 days in St. Augustine before we go to Disney this August. Please forgive me for hijacking the thread, but can you recommend a place to stay there?

 

[summermac]

We got a place through vrbo. It was at the St Augustine Ocean and Racquet Club. We shared a two BR unit with another couple and had the BEST time. The only thing I didn't like was that the pool wasn't beachfront but after being there, I can see why. If you look on Google Earth, it seems like very few of the pools are, with the dunes, etc.

This is not the one we stayed at but here's a few pics of the resort in this listing:
http://www.vrbo.com/96639

I had a pretty hard time finding accomodations to be honest though - St. Augustine seems a little more residential than WDW. I'm swimming in options for that. LOL.

Oh and take my word for it - eat at CREEKSIDE!
http://www.creeksidedinery.com/
I had the schooner. My mouth is watering just thinking of it.

 

[kpadalik]

I live in the Sarasota, FL area, which is less than 2 hours from Orlando. Siesta Key has some shelling, but it's real draw is the beautiful powdery-white sand. It is like nothing you've seen before. South of Siesta Key is Venice Beach, where not only can you find lots of shells, but TONS of sharks teeth, especially after a storm has blown through. Great beaches. For shelling, I think that Ft Myers/Sanibel has the best shelling around, though. If you have anymore questions, let me know. I grew up in Sarasota and know it and the surrounding areas very well!

 

[Tam1067]

We got a place through vrbo. It was at the St Augustine Ocean and Racquet Club. We shared a two BR unit with another couple and had the BEST time. The only thing I didn't like was that the pool wasn't beachfront but after being there, I can see why. If you look on Google Earth, it seems like very few of the pools are, with the dunes, etc.

This is not the one we stayed at but here's a few pics of the resort in this listing:
http://www.vrbo.com/96639

I had a pretty hard time finding accomodations to be honest though - St. Augustine seems a little more residential than WDW. I'm swimming in options for that. LOL.

Oh and take my word for it - eat at CREEKSIDE!
http://www.creeksidedinery.com/
I had the schooner. My mouth is watering just thinking of it.

Thank you for the suggestions!

 

[NotUrsula]

What kind of shelling are you looking for? Serious shelling, or just to let the kids find some, and you don't really care what kind?

Shells are fairly plentiful at Cocoa Beach (the closest to Orlando, via the Beachline), but they are not very spectacular ones. It's a bit better at Canaveral Nat'l Seashore. Daytona normally doesn't have very many; no decent shelling there. The quieter beaches in the Clearwater area have some, but again, they tend to be small and not so pretty.

If you want serious shelling, you'll need to go west, and either north or south. The very best is at Sanibel Island, near Ft. Myers. There is also good shelling at Shell Island, near Panama City.