Shell Fountain

The Shell Fountain is a location in Sanibel Island, Florida that is well known for its large supply of shells. The area is located near a large tube that keeps the sand and water in balance on the beach, in an effort to reduce beach erosion. From the spout pours a collection of shells that are usually found only further out on the ocean floor. Shell collecting is one of the Sanibel Islands most famous past-times. Any time you visit the beach, you are likely to see people wandering up and down the shoreline, bent at the waist, searching for the perfect shell or bending and scooping to pick up the shell treasure they have found. There is even a nickname for this shell-hunting stance. Locals call it the Sanibel Stoop. The best places to go shelling on the island range from the North Captiva area to the lighthouse. There are listings available of the best public shelling options and the shell fountain is almost always on those lists. Low tide is the best time to shell since the water pulls out and leaves a selection of shells behind. All shell hunters need is a bucket and a scoop. Shells found on the island include scallops, murex, olive, cockle, coquina, conch and junonia.