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The Ultimate Guide to Shelling on Navarre Beach

With a vast swath of unspoiled white sand caressed by the pristine aqua waters of the Gulf, it’s only natural that Navarre Beach — aptly nicknamed “Florida’s Most Relaxing Place”— is a treasure trove of colorful, uniquely shaped seashells. And with less foot traffic than most beaches in the Florida Panhandle, our shells are more likely to be flawless, less apt to be chipped or broken.

It’s the perfect place for parents to let their children loose and look on as the young ones’ eyes widen when they catch the gleam of a special find, pick it up, show off their new gem, and drop it in a bucket. Or make it a family affair and see who can find the most special shells!

How to Find the Best Seashells on Navarre Beach

If you’re visiting the beach with shelling in mind, it’s good to have a plan and know the lay of the land. For starters, timing is critical. The best shelling happens during the early morning and late afternoon when the tide is usually low, and you’ll have more sand to yourself. If you want to get even more specific, check the tide charts. An outgoing tide is excellent because, as the water recedes, it reveals the shells that were just stirred up.

All along Navarre Beach, shells are waiting to be found—but some stretches offer even richer rewards. Pro tip: Wet sand near the water will yield better results than dry sand.

It’s good to have sharp eyes, because Navarre Beach shells are more scattered than bunched in piles. This makes each discovery more memorable. It helps if you enjoy the hunt and not just the result!

Expand your search to the far east and west ends of the beach, areas that are less likely to be picked over. If time permits, head a few miles west of the Navarre Beach Fishing Pier to the Gulf Islands National Seashore. It’s a protected coastline — our most untouched stretch of sand — and therefore offers a more natural accumulation of shells.

Types of Seashells Found on Navarre Beach

What kind of shells can you find on Navarre Beach? There’s a diverse array, each with its unique charm. The most common types are Sunray Venus, with its sunburst stripes; Giant Cockle and Scallop, with their familiar fan shape; Tulip Shells, with an elongated spiral shape; Lightning Whelk (fun fact: it spirals counterclockwise, where most shells spiral clockwise); as well as Shark Eye, Dosina, Scotch Bonnet, and more. You might even get lucky and discover a rare Sundial shell — a flat, perfectly geometric spiral!

How to Clean and Preserve Your Seashell Finds

If you plan on keeping your natural mementos to bring home, here are a few tips:

Rinse your shells in fresh water to remove sand and salt. Go over them with a soft brush (a well-used toothbrush works). If the shells smell or still have residue, soak them in a mix of water and dish soap.

If you’re a true seashell collector, soak them overnight in a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution, which is safer than bleach for preserving color, and rinse in fresh water afterward. To restore shine, apply a light coat of mineral oil or baby oil and buff gently with a soft cloth. Air-dry the shells for a day or two.

Photo credit: @deltadogwoodstudio

The Joy of Seashell Hunting

Of course, another way to enjoy shelling on Navarre Beach is to simply find them, admire them for a few hours on the beach, then leave them behind for the next seashell hunters to discover.

We like to think that seeking them is more important than keeping them — a simple pleasure that feels right at home in Florida’s Most Relaxing Place.

Get Inspired

Endless inspiration.
Many ways to relax.

Within these stories you’ll find a relaxing blend of waterfront beauty and backwoods adventure that begs to be explored on your next Florida vacation. So read on. Plan your visit.