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Shelling on Marco Island

We are a group of 4 seniors and will be staying on Marco Island in early October. We would like to do some shelling without taking a tour. Are there beaches we can drive to and find great shells, or do we really need to take one of the tours to different islands to find good shells?

Marco Island is well-known for its beautiful beaches and shelling opportunities, especially for visitors who enjoy walking along the shore. While guided shelling tours can take you to secluded areas and nearby islands with a higher variety of shells, you can still find plenty of shells without taking a tour if you know where to go and the right time of day to visit.

Here are some tips and locations for self-guided shelling on Marco Island:

  • South Marco Beach (South Beach): This public beach stretches along the southern tip of the island. Early morning walks after a high tide often reveal a good assortment of shells washed up overnight. Look for sand dollars, whelks, and scallop shells.
  • Residents’ and Tigertail Beach: While Tigertail Beach is a bit more of a nature preserve and requires a small entry fee, it’s excellent for casual shelling along the bay side. Walking the shoreline around low tide is ideal.
  • North Marco Beach: Less crowded than the main South Beach, the northern beaches can yield nice finds, especially if you walk along the waterline after storms or strong tides.
  • Best Timing: Early morning is the best time for shelling, as fewer people are around and high tides often deposit fresh shells. After a storm or wind event can also bring unique shells closer to shore.

If you want a more specialized collection, including rare shells like junonia, taking a half-day tour can be worthwhile. But for relaxed, scenic walks and casual shelling, the public beaches on Marco Island offer plenty of enjoyable options for seniors and are easily accessible by car.

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