Which Gulf side beach? Kids want to collect shells.

[mad hatter fan]

Are there any good beaches that aren't too far that we can find some shells? We won't be swimming at all as it will be January. Though my kids happily waded in the Pacific (DD got splashed up to her waist) last January. Way too cold for me! Anyway, we will be with my inlaws and sil our first week and sil wants to go collect shells with the kids. How far away are the closest beaches that would be good for that? Also, can you find tide pools to explore? We loved doing that in California.
Thanks

 

[spiceycat]

gulf side

"Sanibel Island
If you have kids that love shells, you ought to take them to Sanibel Island. You can find over 400 varieties of shells. While the kids are shell hunting you can sit back and enjoy the beauty of this beach."

this is south of Tampa

so don't know if you want to drive that much.

 

[spiceycat]

don't know that google would do this
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=florida+beaches+for+shell+hunting&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl

 

[Frothy]

Agree...Sanibel Island is a great place. Don't be afraid of the water...it's still pretty warm.

 

[fla4fun]

If you don't want to go too far, I recommend anywhere from Clearwater Beach down to St. Pete Beach. We like to stay at Sand Key, which is just south of Clearwater Beach (there is a Pinellas County Park with lots of parking if you are just going for the day). We have also stayed at Madeira Beach which about half way between the two, and also has public parking. Another suggestion is Fort DeSoto Park, which is a Pinellas County Park that has often been voted one of the top beaches in the US. You access the park via the Pinellas Bayway, just off St. Pete Beach.

You will find good shells at most of the gulf coast beaches because the surf is more gentle. If you time your visit to just after a stormy day, there are often more shells available. Also, go early in the day. Serious shell hunters hit the beach at sunrise, so the best shells go early.

It will be about a two hour drive to this area. Sanibel Island will be 4-5 hours drive (although the shelling at Sanibel is the best).

 

[Lzylitnin]

We just spent 8 days on Sanibel (11/17-11/25), then drove to WDW. It took us 3 hours & 20 minutes for the drive. It was worth it. The island is beautiful, nice sand & water. The shells are EVERYWHERE! You need shoes in some areas of the beach because of the numerous shells. Lots of wildlife too. We saw dolphins everyday, sharks, stingrays, manatees, etc.

We have spent a lot of time from Clearwater Beach through Marco Island, and for shells, Sanibel is tops.