Home › Rules & Safety
Shelling Rules and Safety
The golden rule: take only empty shells, and leave living animals where they are. Rules vary by county, park and species and can change, so this page is a guide and not legal advice. Check with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and posted signs.
Can I take live shells or sand dollars?
Do not take any shell with a living animal inside. Florida has rules on collecting live shellfish and other marine life that vary by species and area. Check with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (myfwc.com) and any posted signs before you collect anything alive. When in doubt, put it back.
Is it OK to keep empty shells?
Picking up empty shells from the beach is generally fine in most public areas, but state parks, preserves and some other protected areas have their own limits. Read posted rules at each location.
What about sea turtle nests?
Sea turtles nest on local beaches from spring through fall. Stay away from marked nests, fill holes you dig, and avoid bright lights near the beach at night.
Are there any dangerous shells?
Most shells are harmless, but never handle a live cone snail. Wear water shoes to protect your feet from sharp shells and other hazards, and watch for stingrays by shuffling your feet when you wade.
What is a sand collar?
A sand-colored ring on the beach is the egg case of a moon snail, such as the shark eye. Leave it in place.
How does Fun Florida Tours handle this on tours?
Guides look at every live animal the group finds, talk about it, and return it to the water. Guests keep only empty shells. Everyone wears aqua socks, a safety noodle, a whistle and a glow stick, and the group stays together under one light.
Quick checklist
- Check each shell for a living animal.
- Leave live shells, sand dollars, starfish and sand collars.
- Wear water shoes and sun protection, and bring water.
- Obey posted signs, especially in parks and preserves.
- Pack out your trash.
On our tours, we do it the right way
Guides handle the identification and make sure nothing alive leaves the water. You get the fun of finding things without worrying about the rules.
Fun Florida Tours runs a guided night shelling and snorkeling tour in shallow Gulf water at Siesta Key, Sarasota and Anna Maria Island. You wade in from shore with a guide, the group shares one bright LED light pod that lights up the bottom, and the water stays under 4 feet deep, so you do not need to be a strong swimmer. After 60 minutes in the water we spend 15 minutes on the sand for show-and-tell, where guides name everything the group found. Empty shells are yours to keep; anything alive goes back.