1. Sanibel Island, Florida
Experts crown Sanibel, off Fort Myers in Southwest Florida, as the best U.S. shelling spot, and one of the best in the world. Seashells cover the beaches, tinkling like wind chimes as they tumble over one another in the waves. Low-key development, abundant wildlife, and great restaurants make the island a wonderful all-around getaway; 800/237-6444 or fortmyers-sanibel.com. Shell fanciers should also visit The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum (888/679-6450 or shellmuseum.org) and the annual Sanibel Shell Fair and Show (March 1–3, 2007; 239/472-2155 or sanibelcommunityhouse.com/ShellFair.htm).
2. Ocracoke Island, North Carolina
The rare Scotch bonnet, state shell of North Carolina, sometimes turns up here. (Each fragile, beautiful shell, shaped like an egg with spiral bands and brown spots, once housed a sea snail, a remorseless predator that feeds on sand dollars and other small sea creatures.) Even during the frenetic summer season, few tourists venture outside Ocracoke Village at the south end of this 16-mile-long Outer Banks island. In winter, when restless weather stirs up all sorts of treasures from the deep, only the gulls are likely to share the northern beaches. Stephen “Dr. Beach” Leatherman ranked Ocracoke third on his 2006 “top beaches” list; 888/493-3826 or ocracokevillage.com.
3. Bandon, Oregon
West Coast beaches don’t provide great bounties of shells, partly because the mighty Pacific Ocean waves tend to chew up most specimens. Still, the beaches near this charming seaside town may harbor some finds, especially in protected areas such as the mouth of the Coquille River. As consolation prizes, winter storms also toss up Japanese glass fishing floats and such semiprecious stones as agate and jasper; 541/347-9616 or bandon.com.
4. Galveston, Texas
The Gulf of Mexico loves to decorate its coast with shells. In fact, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Web site proclaims, “Gulf beaches are considered the best shelling beaches in North America.” Galveston Island’s western end usually offers prime pickings. When cold fronts roll in from the north, experienced shellers bundle up and hit the beach. The wind pushes the water away from shore, exposing lots of fresh sand for prospecting; 888/425-4753 or galveston.com.
5. Tunnels Beach, Kauai, Hawaii
Several beaches on the north shore of Hawaii’s “Garden Isle” yield nice shell harvests, especially in the area around Haena, near the end of the road that doesn’t quite circle Kauai. We’re singling out Tunnels Beach for nostalgic reasons. Legend has it that the puka shell–necklace craze began here in the 1960s. A protective reef makes the water ideal for snorkeling, too; 800/262-1400 or kauaidiscovery.com.
