Shelling on West Gulf Drive, Sanibel

Sanibel Island, Florida. One of the best places in the world to be in early February. Cloudless blue skies, blue-green water, 80 degrees with bright sunshine, mild breeze, good shells, a relaxing place for shelling. Today, I found a large Gaudy Nautica, three Lettered Olives, Banded Tulip, Chestnut Turban, several Lightning Whelks including an albino-ish one, and lots of my favorite orange and pink colored scallops.

Now that season is in full swing, beach parking on Sanibel can be an issue. If you’re lucky enough to be able to bike or walk to the beach, you’re lucky enough! For the rest of us, we hunt for a parking space. Especially at noon on a beautiful sunny Sunday before this month’s Shell Club Meeting. Go here to find info on Sanibel’s beach parking.

I struck out finding an empty parking spot at Gulfside City Beach Park on Algiers Lane off of Middle Gulf Drive. It’s a favorite spot for shelling, swimming, hanging out at the beach because it’s not so crowded and they have showers and restrooms, but with only 46 parking spots it can be challenging to find a spot.

Moving further along, I headed to West Gulf Drive, beyond Rabbit Road. Beware that there is NO public parking in this stretch. It’s mainly residential with a few condo complexes, but NO public beach access. I parked at a friend’s house with permission and walked to Beach Access #2, taking the sandy path right up to the beach.

Sandy path to West Gulf Drive beach, Sanibel.

Because West Gulf Drive beach accesses are mainly for residents only, limited parking at Beach Access 1 through 7 is by valid resident permit only. Note there is NO PUBLIC PARKING OR ACCESS. Because of these restrictions, the beaches are nice and almost empty. Perfect for a quick shelling trip!

View looking east along West Gulf Drive from Beach Access #2. Lovely beaches, very few people!

Instead of scores of beach-goers, here’s what you might see in early February…

Large flock of Royal Terns on West Gulf Drive, Sanibel.
Royal Terns facing into the wind, Sanibel.
Interesting and varied crab parts on the beach at West Gulf Drive, Sanibel.
Shell hash right at the surf line, West Gulf Drive, Sanibel.
Today’s West Gulf shells. I’m selective of what I pick up, but I can never get enough orange and bright pink scallops. I’m also partial to Lightning Whelks. I added a large Gaudy Nautica, three Lettered Olives, Banded Tulip, Chestnut Turban, and an albino-ish Lightning Whelk to my collection.
You might see a few fishing poles… A fish jumped in the surf nearby but didn’t take the bait.
A Large shell mound on West Gulf Drive, Sanibel with a sole sheller from the Clearwater, FL area. She gave me a Lettered Olive since I hadn’t found one yet, but sadly she hadn’t found what she was looking for: a Junonia and Scotch Bonnet. Ha! She’s not alone, is she?
High winds mean bigger waves which pick up the bottom sediment and make the water look murky. It didn’t bother this sole Brown Pelican…or me.
There were many dead sea urchins today, along with wrack line debris of plant and animal material, shell fragments, and driftwood.
This large piece of driftwood sticks out like an iceberg in a sea of sand.

So next time you’re late to the Island and can’t find a parking spot, look up your friends on West Gulf Drive and maybe you’ll have a great shelling day without the crowds!

…but don’t forget what your path back looks like!

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