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Shelling in Destin?

Bay City, Michigan
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1 post
5 reviews
4 helpful votes
Shelling in Destin?
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Does Destin have a good placed to find shells? Thank you in advance!

Wisconsin
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6,778 posts
127 reviews
145 helpful votes
1. Re: Shelling in Destin?
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It's not known for sea shells, like Sanibel is. But there are often some that are along the shoreline. Kids are plenty happy with what they find, but if you're a hard core collector, I don't know how you'll feel. It varies day to day of course.

Florida
Destination Expert
for Florida
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10,612 posts
4 reviews
1 helpful vote
2. Re: Shelling in Destin?
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I've never once found a keeper in Destin.

I've been going to Sanibel for 30 years so maybe I'm picky, but I didn't think so.

Woodbury, Minnesota
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1,442 posts
17 reviews
11 helpful votes
3. Re: Shelling in Destin?
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We are down on the Island now, when we arrived on April 10, there had been some rough surf, and I found 6 whole good size shells, I kept them , not because they are rare shells, but because shells are rare here.

Conway, Arkansas
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357 posts
7 reviews
5 helpful votes
4. Re: Shelling in Destin?
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Trixielou, was that in Destin, or Fort Walton? I've never seen a "keep worthy" shell in Destin, either; although there are several very small half shells. I've seen them in Panama City Beach; quite a few "keepers", and even a starfish; there were a lot in Navarre too; I think someone has discussed why there aren't many at all in Destin, but I don't remember the exact reason; something to do with the "lay of the land", so to speak only I'm referencing the ocean floor here.

Wisconsin
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6,778 posts
127 reviews
145 helpful votes
5. Re: Shelling in Destin?
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I guess it depends on what you consider a keeper. We're at Southbay and the last few years I've seen more shells, since the last hurricanes a few years ago and the replenishing that was done in front of Shoreline Towers. But when I talked about "shelling", I remembered when our daughter was a little girl and all the kids I see collecting shells. So if the OP has a child or grandchild, they'd be thrilled to find anything. After few years I finally said, I think we have enough. And I always loved the little ones that were still connected (shells, not kids). We'd wrap them in tissue to make sure they'd stay together all the way back to WI.

Missouri
Destination Expert
for Destin
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2,034 posts
12 reviews
6. Re: Shelling in Destin?
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My sister-in-law has been coming to Miramar Beach for 27 years. Every morning before anyone is up she gets her net and a ziplock bag and walks out in the water about knee deep. She always comes back with at least 10-15 large shells of all kinds. Only one year I was lucky enough to find the mother load of shells! I stuck my arm down into the sand by the waters edge and there were shells all around my arm. I got 2 walmart bags full of shells that year! After a big storm is when you will find shells usually. It's always fun to look for them. Ya never know when a big shell will wash your way!

1 post
7. Re: Shelling in Destin?
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Where exactly did you go in Miramar to find shells?

Tallahassee, FL
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395 posts
53 reviews
96 helpful votes
8. Re: Shelling in Destin?
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I hate to be the one to be brutal, but... set yourself up for soul-crushing disappointment if you're wanting shells.

Destin, and at least 50 miles on either side, is virtually devoid of shells. To hammer home how futile this pursuit is, SHELL Island in Panama City has no shells, not even fragments. I am most likely taking my boat to Shell Island this weekend, to an area where people don't go, and I'll be very surprised if even the children find anything worth their time.

Yes, big storms can wash them up, but the area is known for its perfect powdery sugar sand. It must be the worst place in Florida to find shells, and might be a nationwide or worldwide contender on most days.

Enjoy your stay though. Destin's beaches are beautiful beyond comparison.

Missouri
Destination Expert
for Destin
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2,034 posts
12 reviews
9. Re: Shelling in Destin?
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I was near the Whale's Tale restaurant. Gordon may have washed up some shells, but you have to get up early!

Florida
Destination Expert
for Florida
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10,612 posts
4 reviews
1 helpful vote
10. Re: Shelling in Destin?
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Ditto what kilroy said.

People see an occasional comment about finding shells and they might misunderstand. Those situations of finding keepable shells are not common.

Unless you are extremely lucky and find a shelf where shells have been stopped after a storm, you are wasting your time.

Enjoy the beautiful beach and sand. Do your shelling on Sanibel and Captiva Islands.

Edited: 5 years ago
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