Are sand dollars common on Sanibel Island?

Millions of sand dollars are in the water at Sanibel beaches, but why are there so many right now? Cocoa Beach resident and Sanibel tourist, Sam said “It's really cool because there are so many and they are all over the place.” It's a sight he said is best seen through a pair of goggles.



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Sand dollars can be found on most all the beaches of Sanibel Island. They are loved by shell collectors for their intricate designs, symmetrical shape and beautiful colors.

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Sanibel Island is one of the best spots for finding sand dollars in Florida. Shell collectors know that the beaches of Sanibel have tons of different types of shells, including sand dollars, scallop shells, and conch shells.

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All Sanibel beaches and nearshore waters to one-half mile from shore are protected by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Rule 46-26. This rule prohibits the harvest and possession of live shellfish. Sand dollars, sea stars (starfish), and sea urchins are also protected.

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The State of Florida has outlawed the collecting of live shells on the island. Live shell is defined as any specimen containing an inhabitant, whether or not the mollusk seems alive. The law also protects sand dollars, starfish, and sea urchins.

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Summer visitors may have to work harder this year to find sand dollars than those who come in the late fall. Sand dollars are easiest to find in early morning low tides, which will come again in late October. But they can still be found with a little luck, a lot of patience, and some information on where to look.

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The Real Reason Sanibel Has an Abundance of Great Shells It's because it's one of the very few islands that run perpendicular to the state of Florida, whereas most islands run the same way as Florida, which causes the ocean currents to have the beaches primarily flushing water downward. BOOK YOUR SHELLING TOUR!

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If by chance you do stumble upon a living sand dollar, take action quickly. Sand dollars will not survive out of the water for very long, Rader said. If you find a live individual on the beach, you can carefully return it the ocean.

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If you have a fishing license, you will still want to verify local regulations, as some counties have other limits and restrictions. With that in mind, collecting a living sand dollar from Florida beaches is illegal.

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But Turner Beach is the clear choice for the best shelling beach on Sanibel and Captiva beaches. It is usually uncrowded, which makes hunting for the best shells less competitive, with plenty of opportunities to find rare shells that are not already in your collection.

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The sun-bleached shells will be extremely fragile and will crumble or break easily. If appropriately preserved, Sand Dollars will last a long time.

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The FEMA 50% rule is a minimum requirement for participation in the NFIP. It limits the cost of improvements (additions, alterations, and/or repairs) to non-conforming structures to less than 50% of the “market value” of structure prior to the start of work.

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The 3 most desired shells on Sanibel Island and Captiva Island for shelling enthusiasts are the Junonia, the Scotch Bonnet, and the Lions Paw.

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Sanibel Island is also home to the world's largest Junonia shell which can be found at Sanibel Sea Shell located at 1544 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.

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