Staying on Cayo Costa for Sea Shells! 3-days of Off Grid Living in Paradise!

Staying on Cayo Costa is an experience that I am so grateful I got to have. While living off-grid, we never felt as if we were missing out on anything! Wifi, TV, Hot tub, staying right on the water and being able to beachcomb Cayo Costa was simply a once-in-a-lifetime experience. But it doesn't to be!
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[@sherriemetcalf7120]

The tale of a chill lightning whelk and an over achiever lighting whelk; so funny 😆. Sounds like a great children’s book!

[@jantaylor2034]

You really tickled me with your comments describing the lightning whelks, the first one that was "very chill, very relaxed..." and then immediately after, you showed another one that was "very nervous and an over-achiever..." I loved the personifications!!

[@SWFBeachLife]

Glad you enjoyed it! I really never know what is going to fly out of my mouth!

[@jojoa0808]

OMG, what a sunset!

[@denisem6754]

Congratulations on the Scotch Bonnet!!! What a fabulous find. Of course, the entire haul is fabulous. So glad you had the opportunity to stay a few days on Cayo Costa. I haven't been there in some time, but I remember it as very beautiful and I still display a giant whelk that my daughter found there many years ago.

[@ittybittykittymama7582]

Good evening, Beach Angel and all you beach-loving folks! I really need the company of my friends tonite. My dear husband has been placed in a psych ward for his safety and mine. I miss him so! I remember my only bonnet. I was on the beach at Pensacola, wintertime, rainy and cold. Bummed because the younh man I loved was gone away. Asked God for a sign that it would be alright. A perfect Scotch bonnet rolled out of the next wave at my feet! Yours is larger and has such a lovely history, Cayo Costa! So many beautiful shells and a magnificent sunset, too! Yay! Paul got a nice big fish! Again, I'm so glad you got to enjoy this amazing, wonderful experience! Mr. Walker was so generous, a true gentleman! Your shell haul was monumental! I'm so happy for you! Mych love to all of you! May all your dreams be of seashells! Stay beachy! Rebecca, The Lost Mermaid

[@cazee100]

Sending hugs to help you through a difficult time.Thinking of you both, stay safe xx

[@SWFBeachLife]

My shell friends supporting each other 🥹❤️

[@SWFBeachLife]

Mermaid stay strong. Doing the right thing isn’t easy sometimes. I love your bonnet story! ❤️

[@jacksprat9834]

Mermaid you are amazing and you'll come thru this. Everything will be fine. God bless

[@ittybittykittymama7582]

​@@jacksprat9834Thanks for the encouraging words! I played Mrs. Spray in a kindergarten tableau. Hadn't thought of it tol I saw your screen name! Thanks for that sweet memory.

[@leslyeschoenhuth1107]

You had me laughing when you said the Lightning Welks were laid back & nervous.. The Apple Mureks were fairly large. Miss Not seeing Jingles & Baby's Ears.. They might be common, but they are some of my favorites.. What a fun beach! So full of sand dollars. Thanks for taking us with you!

[@KarensKaraoke1]

I would love to be at the beach, i miss it so much. Thanks for the tour. I went to the rental places site, man how i wish i could do that. Maybe someday

[@fields-n-feathers]

10:52 DO you see the face at the base of the shell? ~🧡Rogersville, Tennessee

[@JILLCritterologist]

Your Cayo Costa adventure was just thrilling! Thanks for sharing with us. You do such a wonderful job of making us feel like we're walking along with you, picking up treasures and chatting about them. Fun that the shelling was so good right iin front of the house, too. And that Scotch Bonnet -- YAY!!! It's the state shell of NC, and that thick rim around the aperture often survives the surf, but I've only once found a whole one. The size of those apple murexes was also impressive -- that's one of my favorite FL shells, love the variation in them the way you love your fighting conchs!

[@SWFBeachLife]

Ah yes, those apple murexes can indeed be different from shell to shell. I wonder what my deal is with those FFCs?? *Shrug* If loving them is wrong, I don't want to be right. 🤣🤣🤣 Thank you so very much for watching and coming to the beach with me!

[@heinrichheine6137]

I like the barnacles. For me, they add to the unique story of the shell. That lightning whelk at 19:07 had a whole colony inside it!

[@kimberleykimsmithstaff1758]

What a fabulous adventure you had and thanks for sharing. So glad you found such a beautiful bucket list shell! The scenery alone was worth the trip!

[@lisapecchenino278]

I could’ve swear when you were collecting the surf clams that I saw an albino lightning Welk.

[@ilonamollema6467]

Dear Sharmon, I'm so happy for you that you could stay in Cayo Costa! What a wonderful place to have some R&R while finding gorgeous shells! Congratulations on the Scotch Bonnet!! Finally!! I'm so, so happy for you!! The next bucket list item has to be the Albino Olive. It just has to be. Thank you for taking us with you to this little piece of paradise. I've loved every minute of it! If it was possible, I would book that cabin immediately to experience it myself. But that isn't possible, so I'm very grateful that I can experience it thanks to you!❤ I hope you have a wonderful week, my dear! Sending you lots of love and, of course, a big hug, xoxo ❤️, Ilona

[@SWFBeachLife]

Ilona - I will remember that sunrise for the rest of my life. It was so beautiful. The entire experience was really so special. I'm quite lucky to have been invited to this island and I'm thrilled the way everything turned out. Sorry for the delay in responding. I had to do A LOT of unexpected travel last week.

[@kathytiseling5140]

I left the barnacles on the shells I found. I think they are pretty in their own way.

[@mahralee5228]

The scotch bonnet was absolutely amazing! 😻

[@kathyjund7212]

This was definitely an adventure of a lifetime.. say it once say it agai !! The scotch was an awesome find.. fabulous treasuall around. Sunrises sunsets and critters.. hello horse conch! Thank you for taking us with you Sharmon!

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thanks for coming to the beach with me!

[@lindaweges8624]

Lucky you to be staying at the beach!Loads of shells today!

[@lindatorres373]

Wow, what a vacation spot. Love it. Thanks for the amazing video.

[@lindarichie2585]

What a wonderful place to stay ! Perfect ! Wow the scotch bonnet was so cool 😎! Congrats 🎉 The sunset was amazing! Such rich vibrant colors !

[@pete6380]

When i’m in florida i always get so excited finding a scallop with a perfect barnacle on it. You can find a million without barnacles, which to me makes finding one with a barnacle a keeper.

[@SWFBeachLife]

Well said. Thank you so much for sharing!

[@dianacole7053]

Thank you for your lovely walks and commentary. It’s a wonderful getaway every week. Btw, it’s -11 here now. Windchill -35. 🥶

[@SWFBeachLife]

Ouch! Stay warm beach friend!

[@dianacole7053]

You too!

[@abigailhowes5944]

Congratulations on finding the bonnet shell! Also, I am so envious of your off grid vacation! It's the kind of vacation that calls me! I am so glad you had the chance to go there. Wonderful, and the sunset is so beautiful. Have you thought of purchasing one of those UV or black lights to carry with you in a night venture? You would expose so many shells that react to that frequency of light. That would be sooooo... Cool. I love looking at shells with a blacklight as it exposed the parts that glow really pretty colors in the dark. I have even found some starfish glow a pretty yellow. Would be fun!

[@SWFBeachLife]

I do have a blacklight but the only shells I have found that react to UV light is bubbles. I'm going to look again when it gets dark just to check. That is a cool idea!

[@LeonaLinscott-cy6dz]

​@SWFBeachLife I watch a channel @WILDKYLE where he recently did a night beachcombing of FOSSIL SHELLS using the UV light. It was AMAZING! Someone suggested that you two do a vid together, which i think would be great. He's a very nice & talented young man also in FL. Love your life!

[@SWFBeachLife]

@@LeonaLinscott-cy6dz He seems real nice! I hope we do get to do a collaboration.

[@lauriewatson2822]

What beautiful views! Thanks for another great video.

[@kennykotecki7285]

Best video of yours ever! Super cool adventure, you are so lucky to be able to shell every week!

[@SWFBeachLife]

I am SO lucky to live here!

[@jobledsoe2050]

We got a tickle out of the Scotch Bonnet shell! We always find pieces. This week, hubby found one! That was the loud victory yell from the TX coast!

[@SWFBeachLife]

Congrats! I know that squeal of delight well! 🐚

[@moonlitpearl700]

Great haul. Glad you could stay there and casually go shelling. Huge Scotch Bonnet! Bravo

[@nikoletastavropoulou5515]

How many beautiful shells. 😍

[@pal1338]

My first time shelling, I found a scotch bonnet in perfect condition. My mentor was thrilled, but a bit jealous.

[@SWFBeachLife]

Beginners luck. I have seen it in action myself. It's crazy! Congrats on your fabulous shell!

[@monicaeaton8860]

I’m sooooo happy u found a SCOTCH BONNET!!! I love them sooo much!! This one is big and whole and beautiful! Yay!

[@SWFBeachLife]

And I didn't have to drive 6 hours for it - LOL!!

[@tammiesmith1590]

I love the Barnacles I think they add Character 😜 🐚

[@lynncooper1781]

So beautiful,nothing better than a beautiful ocean sunrise and pretty shells.❤

[@Robin-MP]

Beautiful!❤

[@pennybenton5607]

All beautiful shells.

[@darlajames3419]

Holy cow ya'll! Totally wonderful

[@donnabopp9327]

What a great trip! Beautiful surroundings and fabulous shells!!

[@pattyvalinote4612]

Beautiful island and awesome shells finds 😊🏝️

[@williamthomson638]

I love the little turtle 🐢 .

[@marciaslay1149]

Great Scotch Bonnet, wonderful island, thank you so much for sharing, have a great week!!

[@cherryjohnson9733]

I love the shells.

[@kokoskrib]

Hello beach friend! What a fantastic trip you had!! Just love all of those beautiful shells you found!!

[@Jean2235177]

Congrats on your bucket list shell! Yay!

[@teddiwhitney5111]

Love the barnacles

[@lndadaines2994]

I love the find of the prickly o kal shell. U have quite a big hand and the shell almost covers your palm. Linda from new Zealand.

[@marthademarco3211]

great find on the Scotch Bonnet!😊

[@fields-n-feathers]

I love these videos!❤️

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thank you!!

[@nancyjones3337]

Nice treasures at the Island. The bonnet is gorgeous. The Lightning Welks are lovely!!

[@onlyjesussaves840]

Looks more like a Zig Zag Ark than a turkey wing for sure. :)

[@jacruick]

Wowser !

[@user-xw2jf2nl4s]

All of the shells are gorgeous! I think my favorites are the spiny jewel boxes and the scotch bonnet. Again they are all beautiful! Thanks for doing the walking.

[@user-qz2kq5di8i]

love love the barnacles!!!

[@Marilynlovesebiking]

Seeing that huge, alive, horse conch was really cool. My favorite shell right now it the lightning Whelk. So cool.

[@sandeepettit696]

I just knew you were going to find a scotch bonnet! That is my favorite shell❤❤❤

[@valdos8775]

Heavenly ☺️☺️☺️☺️🐚🐚

[@bonnerdebbie]

Thanks Sharmon. That Scotch Bonnet is awesome. I am looking forward to Sanibel next week.

[@shellstories]

Congrats on the scotch bonnet! I agree the lighting is pretty crummy for night shelling especially when shooting a video, but I've had a significant portion of my best shelling days ever be at night, so I think it is worth it! It hardly gets any better than stepping foot on an unchartered beach too.

[@SWFBeachLife]

You bring up a good point. I'm so sensitive about noise and lighting. I know you have had great luck at night. Well, here's to not completely ruling it out. Thank you for watching!

[@judyfarmer2962]

Thank you for sharing your trip.

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thanks for watching!

[@lindawellinghoff5432]

Great shelling

[@rebeccabarnes3324]

Thank You. Looking forward to Sanibel !!

[@kitkatsmith8780]

That is on my to do list. In Michigan we have snow and a high of 35 if your lucky. ❤

[@patifagan6774]

Thank you for the video

[@SWFBeachLife]

You're welcome!

[@cazee100]

Nice that hubby got his fish. And the kayaks with the rental is a great addition. Would love to come and stay but it’s a bit too far! Glad you got your Scotch bonnet. Hugs and Stay safe xx

[@SWFBeachLife]

Yes, you would need a few plane and boat rides to get to that island! It was such a cool experience. I still keep talking about it.

[@janiebennett5645]

Shar, Shar, Shar!! What an outstanding adventure!! That was incredible. I absolutely loved that Scotch Bonnet! The barnacle you can have,.. I don't like them! That first little comb bittersweet you picked up looked like it had a smiley face on it!! I was bobbing and weaving with you now my back needs a rest. Hahahaha!! You forgot some beachtime, but I forgive you for that.... who could stop looking with all those tempting treasures!!?? Thank you again for taking me with you!! I loved every second of our 2 day outing. Stay blessed my beach loving friend. Till next Sunday! ❤

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thank you so much for watching! It really was an incredible adventure.

[@chrisbgifford7387]

Would love to check this out for a trip!

[@SWFBeachLife]

It was pretty awesome!

[@theresapapola2378]

Fabulous finds! Every Sunday I watch & then promptly check the tide chart for the upcoming week! Lol I'm so glad you gad a great time! ❤

[@SWFBeachLife]

I'm grateful for my tide app and my lightning app for sure! And they are free 😃

[@amykitzmiller9987]

The scallops are beautiful. I think my favorite shell might be the chestnut turbine.

[@janelle2184]

Love that Scotch Bonnet! Great video!

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thanks for watching!

[@miriammacdermot5601]

Greetings, Sharmon! So happy you got that great bucket list shell. Everything was so beautiful. What a treasure trove! Have a great week!

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thanks so much! I hope you had a good week too!

[@elweil2934]

I like the barnacle on the calico scallop. It has some color on it, almost as if it was pulling the color up from the scallop.

[@SWFBeachLife]

Right? Thanks for leaving a comment!

[@bethkurtz5472]

happy new Year

[@SWFBeachLife]

Happy new year!

[@jolynnburns4306]

So very fun. Looks like a great place to stay. I do leave barnacles on some shells, I think it gives them character. You found some great treasures!! Have a great week. See you Sunday! XOXO

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thanks for letting me know about the barnacles. It’s funny how tastes can change 😃

[@tron568]

Hi Sharmon, loved your video , nice haul , definitely barnacles for me lol , I also love weathered shells showing life's hard knocks . Now you got me waiting for your video's every Sunday lol great job! Cheers Ron

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thank you for watching Ron!

[@theresapaeglow2340]

Hey-o! so enjoyed your video! I love cayo costa and can't wait until the cabins are open again. Beyond the elusive junonia, Baby' Ears are my favorite. I've never seen a moon snail/shark eye! But they are now on my bucket list. I have a bunch of Turkey wings, i collected in the Bahamas- they are interesting to look at but i haven't really done anything about them. Interesting that there are places that now rent on Cayo, Either they did before and I didn't know it or couldn't afford it - but feel like i would remember. Anyway, i'm going to check out the rentals.

[@virginiapope87]

You missed a white welk when you were picking up the white surf clam shells. I love your videos. I'm still looking for a banded tulip. I found one and it was alive. Loved the bonnet. Congradulations.

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thank you for watching!

[@peggygreen9306]

I found one last week Panama City Beach I didn’t know what it was until your video which I discovered your videos about two weeks ago I’m all excited!!!

[@SWFBeachLife]

That is awesome! Finding special treasures is always really exciting 🐚😍

[@shannonc.8911]

We get many surf clams. I like the ones that alternate gray and white.

[@SWFBeachLife]

I do too! Especially if they are a little worn. 🥰

[@aleciagrant4114]

What a fabulous video. Thanks for sharing! Congratulations on the scotch bonnet.

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thank you so much!! 🙏🏼

[@moduleselect]

Congratulations on your bucket list shell! I just found my first scotch bonnet in Texas this Christmas and although in rough shape was in tact and could not have been happier. I found hundreds of broken ones and finally after three days and walking almost 15 miles of beach found one! Can’t wait to get back to the plentiful beaches of SWFL! Thank you for your videos and helpful information and education.

[@SWFBeachLife]

I hope you have great shell luck the next time you're here!

[@debnordman1640]

I laughed at your description of the difference in the distance between the lightning whelk bands with the far apart ones being chill & laid back; & the close together ones being nervous & hyper. Funny & imaginative analogy!!

[@SWFBeachLife]

I can only imagine what would fly out of my mouth if this wasn't a "family friendly" channel!

[@surrealist1976]

I´m watching paradise from my frozen paradise 🙂 Disko Island 😀 and I know a lot of species because of you 🙂 yesterday a tiktoker was putting X-Files music over lightning whelc eggs video with a question, I was quick to comment 😀

[@SWFBeachLife]

NICE!!!

[@kathyjund7212]

Oh!! And I leave barnacles on my scallops! Lol

[@fredamoore1743]

Are you kidding me? Love your excitement when you find a bucket list shell. I will never forget my first and only Scotch Bonnet at Turner Beach. I was squealing and people around thought I had found a Junonia, lol. I love barnacles on my scallops. Just depends but I think it gives them a certain character. I am so envious! That was a wonderful trip and I know you and hubby had a blast. Now I have a new addition to my bucket list. Stay on Cayo Costa. I love the home you stayed in and even the little apartment you showed. All I need at the beach is a bed, shower and somewhere to make coffee. I love the layed back comfy places. Loved this adventure with you, thanks so much!!

[@SWFBeachLife]

I remember hearing someone find a scotch bonnet on Kice - I heard them all the way down the beach! And I celebrate in silence - I scream in my head 😃

[@stephaniebernier-dq5fo]

I soooo enjoy watching your videos, and wishing I were there too … but it does bum me out when you share a preview of your favorite finds at the beginning of the video. I’d definitely like to watch without seeing a spoiler of what’s to come. 🐚 Congrats on the gorgeous Scotch Bonnet - I hope to find one someday. 🤍

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thank you for letting me know that. I try to not spoil everything but I want people to know there is going to be cool stuff to see!

[@JILLCritterologist]

Your videos ALWAYS have cool stuff to see! I agree, surprises are fun. Maybe just "found a bucket list shell!" without showing what it was... @@SWFBeachLife

[@FloridaBeachWalks]

Congrats on the scotch bonnet ❤ I'm on the east coast and John D. MacArthur Beach State Park at times of the year is LOADED with them as is North Jupiter Island. We found over 100 scotch bonnets one time at MacArthur 👍🏼

[@SWFBeachLife]

100??? In one day?? I went to John MacArthur Park twice. First time I got 5 scotch bonnets. It was awesome. Next time it rained and I got skunked. Got to see a shark though. It's a 3 hour drive so I don't go all that often.

[@FloridaBeachWalks]

Yes it was crazy that day we were with friends and those bonnets were just everywhere; we were all picking them up like candy! I wish our coasts were closer for sure-I totally understand about the 3hr drive. Takes me about them same and 4hr to Marco. I have SO many miles on my car lol but it's always a great trip (most times it's a day trip leaving at 2-3am to make it by sunrise). @@SWFBeachLife

[@saraclark8611]

Amazing walk yet again! Congratulations on the scotch bonnet that was so cool! Is the one scallop in question a sentis scallop?

[@SWFBeachLife]

It’s looks similar but the little wings on the bottom of the shell I found aren’t right. I love these beach mysteries 🐚

[@dalegruder2363]

Another great production! Too bad Facebook has to interrupt you for ads with poor timing.

[@sherryroseman]

The Scotch Bonnet is our state shell,NC. But throughout all my shelling at Ocean Isle Beach, I have found only 1! On the Outer Banks multitudes of them.

[@SWFBeachLife]

I found 5 in one day on the East Coast, but this is the only whole one I’ve ever found in our coast. It’s fascinating how different beaches have different shells.

[@gingermackeen5741]

A Scotch bonnet in the dark! Lol Congrats! Everything after that was probably anticlimactic, right? BTW surf clams also make great night lights with the stripes... Nervous and chill LWs! 🤣 First, depends on how pretty the barnacle is whether or not I keep it on the scallop. Second, I do think that little scallop was a rough one. I don't remember what Gulf beach it was, but I found a BUNCH of those comb bittersweets a long time ago. Never see them now here. That was a really cool opportunity you had at CC. I've only shelled the north end and it was really good. Went out with Cativa Cruises. However there's another outfit that goes out from Bokela (sp?) that's less expensive and closer to me. Plan to use them next time. Thanks Sharmon! xxoo

[@annettenepple449]

That particular one I would keep the Barnical

[@maryswanson9982]

I’ve been waiting and waiting for you to find a Scotch Bonnet!

[@SWFBeachLife]

I found 5 in one day on the East Coast! I think I'll try that again this spring 😃

[@LethalButtercup]

I found TWO Scotch Bonnets at my secret little dune place! I love the huge bleached out surf clams in New England!

[@SWFBeachLife]

Lucky! I always share my secrets 😂

[@LethalButtercup]

Bellaire Beach of all places! By the dune! It was unreal! Nutmegs FFC, olives, lightning whelks, cones, it was amazing! If anyone goes, I want pictures!!!

[@SWFBeachLife]

@@LethalButtercup WHA? I just looked at the location and for you to find all that stuff is crazy! Crazy awesome!!!

[@shasernst74]

Hit your scotch bonnet with a blacklight.....it should bring the pattern out better! Would love e to see if it works on yours!! Happy Hunting!

[@SWFBeachLife]

Someone else said the same thing but the spots do not glow. Must only work on fossils 😃

[@tannenbaumgirl3100]

Oh, you finally found your Scotch Bonnet...I always thought they're only on the Atlantic side? I have found there but never around the Sanibel/Ft. Meyers area.

[@SWFBeachLife]

I have found them on the East Coast but they are very rare on the West Coast. It was a super neat find for me!

[@carrieeasley3995]

What a wonderful adventure for you!

[@heidicook4030]

Barnecal !

[@heidicook4030]

Sometimes I make pictures with shells and use the barnacles for air bubbles!

[@jimmclaughlin5930]

I have found a few of those myself on Boca Grande Beach right across the pass from Cayo Costa give it a try if ya can.

[@user-ht2iv7rz5r]

Just seen the damage😮 from that tornado in Penicola. How are you doing over there?

[@SWFBeachLife]

We're fine down here luckily! Thank you for thinking of us!

[@lndadaines2994]

😂so I live in New Zealand whakatane and a beach o er thrill from us I found a sand dollar not in great condition and your shell u just found I found 3. I also found rose petals shell that are pink and quite tiny. Ot was so cool to find some of the shell s at our beaches in New Zealand. I have taken photos of other shells that u have spoken of but cant remember their names. From Linda.

[@SWFBeachLife]

I have an acquaintance that lives in New Zealand. I should ask her if she ever finds seashells 🤔

[@rubyrohrig9494]

That scotch bonnet is on my bucket list❤… lucky

[@TheAdventurousRealtor]

I leave the barnacles. I always make sure they're not live of course. I find enough beautiful scallops without barnacles so I do enjoy the scallops with them.

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thanks for letting me know!

[@TheAdventurousRealtor]

I love rough scallops as They're not super common

[@SWFBeachLife]

Me too! The colors are more dreamy too.