Sanibel Island
Sanibel, FL
Sanibel Island runs east to west rather than north to south, an unusual orientation that catches an especially wide range of shells washing ashore and earned it a reputation as one of the best shelling beaches in the country. Dogs are welcome on every beach here, a rare unrestricted policy for an island this popular, though neighboring Captiva across the causeway bans them entirely.
World class shelling and a genuinely unrestricted dog policy make it one of the best all-around beaches on this coast, though the hourly parking fee adds up fast for a full day.
How we score beachesDo the Sanibel Stoop early morning after a high tide if shelling is the goal, that's when the best finds turn up before other beachcombers get to them first. Only empty shells can be taken, leave anything with a living creature inside exactly where you found it.
Public beach parking runs 5 dollars an hour, cash or card accepted at pay stations.
Most beach accesses have paved lots with a short walk to the sand, generally flat given the island's low profile.
Dogs are welcome on leash, up to 8 feet, at every Sanibel Island beach; neighboring Captiva does not allow pets.
Winter and spring bring Southwest Florida's driest, mildest weather and the best shelling after cold front swells. Summer's heat and hurricane season, June through November, still leave the water warm for swimming.
More Gulf Coast beaches
Siesta Key Beach
Siesta Key, FL · Gulf Coast
Fine quartz sand that stays cool underfoot even in summer, sloping gently into calm Gulf water, and consistently rated among the best family beaches in the country.
Clearwater Beach
Clearwater, FL · Gulf Coast
A lively Gulf-front strip with a fishing pier, a nightly sunset celebration at Pier 60, and calm, shallow water that makes it an easy family favorite.
Pensacola Beach
Pensacola Beach, FL · Gulf Coast
Sugar-white sand within the Gulf Islands National Seashore, with dunes protected from development and water clear enough for snorkeling near the jetties.