Shelling Tours in Northern Florida – Do They Exist?

One question I get a lot is from folks heading to northern Florida—places like Pensacola, Destin, or Jacksonville—who ask:

“Are there any shelling tour companies up there? South Florida is too far of a drive.”

The short answer: it’s doubtful.

Here’s why—shelling tour companies thrive where there’s an abundance of shells to find. In the Ten Thousand Islands region of Southwest Florida, the unique geography, currents, and barrier island formations create a constant supply of fresh shells washing ashore. That’s why you’ll find multiple professional shelling guides and tour operators down here—it’s one of the most productive shelling spots in the United States.

Northern Florida beaches, while beautiful, just don’t see that same shell turnover. The coastline is more exposed to the open Atlantic or the northern Gulf of Mexico, and the conditions aren’t as favorable for large quantities of intact shells to wash up regularly. You might find a few here and there on your own, but it’s usually not enough to support a dedicated shelling tour business like we have in Marco Island, Sanibel, or Cape Romano.

If you’re in northern Florida and itching for a beach day, I’d recommend enjoying the scenery, looking for a few small treasures along the tide line, and maybe doing a little birdwatching. But if your heart is set on a shelling tour where you’ll fill a bucket and see rare species, that’s the kind of magic you’ll want to save for your next trip south.