Shelling on Anna Maria Island is a delightful, low-cost activity for all ages, offering beautiful keepsakes to remind you of your vacation for years to come. Here’s expert advice from locals on how to clean and collect seashells like a pro! Cleaning seashells can enhance their natural beauty and preserve memories.
1. Best Time for Shelling
The best time to shell is after high tide, particularly at daybreak when the freshest, most intact shells wash ashore. Explore Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach, and the northern end of the island for a variety of shells.
2. Wear Water Shoes
Water shoes are essential for protecting your feet in shallow waters, ensuring a safe and comfortable shelling experience.
3. Be Mindful of Living Shells
Always check for living creatures inside the shells you find. Only collect empty or dead shells. Brown sand dollars, for instance, are living animals and should remain in the water.
4. Leave Only Footprints
Help keep Anna Maria Island’s beaches beautiful by following the “leave only footprints” rule. Don’t disturb the environment, and be respectful of local wildlife.
Shells You’ll Find
On your shelling adventure, you might come across a variety of shells such as sand dollars, coquina, ribbed clams, jingle shells, sea cookies, and even fossilized shark teeth!
5. How to Clean Seashells
Once you’ve gathered your seashells, they may need a little cleaning to remove any sand, barnacles, or crusty coatings. Here’s a quick guide to cleaning seashells and getting them sparkling clean:
Initial Cleaning: Brush off most of the sand, then rinse with water to avoid getting sand in your pool or home. If you’re staying in a vacation rental with a pool, fill a bucket halfway with pool water, submerge the shells, and leave them overnight. The result? A fresh, beachy scent without the “not-quite-the-beach” odor! If you’re staying by the waterfront, mix hydrogen peroxide with water at a 10:1 ratio for a similar effect.
Eco-Friendly Methods:
Vinegar: Pour a small amount into a cup and use a soft toothbrush to gently scrub the shell. Be cautious not to soak shells in vinegar, as the acid can erode them.
Hydrogen Peroxide: Soak shells in a bowl filled with peroxide for several hours until a film forms. Rinse thoroughly and let dry on a towel.
Stronger Methods (Use Caution):
Bleach: Mix equal parts bleach and water to soak shells. Keep an eye on the shells to avoid over-soaking, which can lighten their color or cause them to absorb odors.
Muriatic Acid: For the toughest barnacles, muriatic acid works wonders. Carefully dip the shells in a mixture of 3/4 water and 1/4 acid for a few seconds, then rinse immediately. Always use plastic tongs (metals and muriatic acid can cause a chemical reaction), gloves, and eye protection when handling acid.
Preserving Your Collection
Preserving Your Collection
Once your shells are clean, you’re ready to display them. Need help identifying your shells? Check out Wikipedia’s seashell guide for more information.
Stay with Island Real Estate Vacations!
If you’re looking for the perfect vacation rental to make your shelling experience even easier, check out these beachfront properties! We specialize in providing comfortable, convenient accommodations right near the best shelling spots on Anna Maria Island. Enjoy easy access to the beach and start collecting your treasures right outside your door! All you’ll have to worry about on your Anna Maria Island getaway is cleaning seashells—leave the rest to us!
There are many different ways of cleaning seashells, and these are our tried-and-true methods. If you have your own unique way of cleaning your beautiful treasures, we’d love to hear about it—share your tips in the comments below!
Happy shelling!
