Many who venture to the Sunshine State for a long weekend, a two week vacation or perhaps for a well earned retirement, end up on a beach. While some might think an afternoon in Paradise should be spent lounging about on the warm sand, others have come to view a trip to the ocean’s edge as a treasure hunt. Shelling can be an addictive hobby that sneaks up on you after just one or two finds. So if you’re willing to risk getting “swept away” into this tropical pastime, here are some common sense rules to improve your haul from Florida’s sandy shores.
Rule #1 - Know the Law.
Make sure you’re well versed in the federal, state and county laws with regards to
shell collecting. Each region has its own rules and there are fines involved for
violators. Ignorance is not an acceptable excuse so find out ahead of time if live
shelling is allowed and for what kind of shells. Limits might also restrict how many
shells can be taken at one time.
Rule #2 - Dress appropriately.
Florida is called the Sunshine State for a good reason. Sunscreen, a wide brim hat and
UV sunglasses will help protect as will long sleeved shirts and long pants. And
don’t forget about the tops of your feet - Skin is skin and it will all burn with
too much sun exposure. Covering up will also help protect against the mosquitoes and no
see ums that reside on the coastlines and despite the fact that Florida does a great job
controlling these pests in populated areas, these natives still tend to rule the beaches
from dusk to dawn.
Rule #3 - Stay Hydrated.
As stated above, it is the Sunshine State. It’s easy to find you have strolled a
mile or two…or three down the beach and now are in need of a drink of water. While
Florida boasts 663 miles of public beaches, public water fountains are few and far (and
I mean real far) between. Be prepared and pack more than enough H2O or other thirst
quenchers - non alcoholic - and monitor how far you’re away from your starting
point.
Rule #4 - Bring a snack.
It never hurts to be prepared and just like the drinking water situation, finding food
on the endless beaches of Florida can be a fool’s quest. Unless you plan to hunt
for shells on the sandy shores located in front of major resorts and hotels,
you’ll need to pack a lunch or at least a granola bar or two to make sure hunger
pains don’t spoil your day of “shell shopping”.
Rule #5 - Stand and Stretch
Like the saying goes – Time flies when you’re having fun. It’s very
easy to lose track of time while patrolling the tidal lines for that perfect shell. Even
if you’ve parked your bottom next to a mound of shells, your eyes will be cast
down to the sand and you won’t even realize that the sun has tracked across the
sky. Try to stretch often to avoid low back ache or more than likely, neck ache. Your
body will thank you.
Rule #6 - Know the tides
This is especially important if you plan to cruise a narrow beach with few places to
exit. The tides are controlled by the moon and the sun. It can also be influenced by the
on shore winds and bad weather far off the coast line. As beautiful as the coastline can
be, even the most avid of nature lovers would not want to be forced to spend the day or,
worse, a night, waiting for the tide to fall. Remember there are no see ums and
mosquitoes by the bucket load and they come alive between dust and dawn.
Rule #7 - Prepare for the Pests
If you plan on starting your shelling by experiencing sunrise at the beach, be
forewarned - you won’t by the only one up and on the hunt. If the wind is up, you
might be alright but why chance it – be prepared and have some type of repellent.
There are many to choose from and many locals swear that the product Skin So Soft by
Avon is the best. Others use a clip on product that hangs from your clothing to avoid
applying formulas directly on skin or clothing. The choice is yours, just remember
– mosquitoes and no see ums love the sandy beaches of Florida just as much as the
tourists.
Rule #8 - Bring A Bag
While some seasoned shellers might be looking for that one special olive or lion’s
paw, most newbies are easily overwhelmed by their first taste of shelling and tend to
quickly fill each and every available pocket with ‘treasure’. Many will
resort to using their hat or even a shirt to haul their load and though one or two
shells may not weigh much, your arms will let you know that a couple of dozen is
uncomfortable. Plastic bags, like the ones from the grocery are fine and easily fit in a
pocket on your way to the beach, but they tend to rip if overfilled. Mesh bags are
preferred as they are reusable, washable and store easily. A bucket also works but can
be clunky against your leg.
Rule #9 - Optional Hand Tools
Some collectors preferred to try their luck by ‘fishing’ for shells where
the water rolls at the edge of the beach. There can be a bit of a step in these areas
and the easiest way to find shells is to use a scoop - a wire basket attached to a long
pole that allows you to bring a nice amount of shells up and out of the water without
getting wet. The contents of the scoop are then deposited on higher land for inspection.
Some also like to bring a small garden type hand shovel to help push shells aside or dig
a bit into the sand for buried treasure. Later you’ll use other tools while cleaning your
shells.
Rule # 10 - Enjoy Paradise
Finding a perfect shell can be a rush, but is not always easy. Dedicated shellers might
spend years searching for that one missing piece to complete their hard earned
collection. But no matter the day, or the weather or the treasure, a day at the beach is
better than a day any where else on earth.
So relax and enjoy the salt in your hair, the shells in your pocket and the sand in your shoes.