Looking for sea shells at night during low tide. Exploring the dark looking for beach treasures.

Looking for sea shells at night is something I've been wanting to try. I'm usually out on the beach early, but getting there before the sun even comes up would make me the only person on the beach right? Nope! There were other people with their flashlights out there. I'm not sure if they were beachcombing (good idea) or just going for a walk (but you can't see anything!) but I was ALMOST completely alone with my little experiment.
I picked a day that had a decent low tide a few hours before sunrise. I wanted to be out there for a while to see if there was really any benefit of looking for sea shells at night and being out there in the dark WAY before anyone else was out there. I would do this again if there was a storm that had some through so I could guarantee that I'd be out there first finding goodies but otherwise, I'd really much rather just get to the beach early and do my walk by the light of the sun and not a headlamp.
It was cool to try and I know what to expect should I do it again. I'll just have to see if the summer is going to bring me more good conditions to go looking for sea shells at night.
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[@dantheman5745]

A real treat, as always. You have the perfect sense of what to show, for how long, when to go with a really tight close-up, when to go with a wide shot to provide perspective. Your commentary is just the right balance of education, observation & light-hearted humor, without over-talking. Pace & volume couldn't be better. And the soft sound of the waves in the background throughout are the absolute perfect touch. Your videos are the perfect fix for us shelling junkies!

[@SWFBeachLife]

Wow Dan the Man. That's quite the compliment and I really appreciate it! It takes a bit of time to plan, film, edit, narrate, upload, etc. so I appreciate you taking the time to notice all the work I put into these vids. One of these days it's going to be my full-time gig and in the meantime I'm having so much fun learning and sharing everything I'm finding. Thank you for coming along on my walks with me!!!

[@jenniferfrancisco3754]

I couldn’t agree more!!! I could have written this myself! Your videos are perfection, SWF Beach Life!!

[@SWFBeachLife]

@@jenniferfrancisco3754 Awwww. Thank you SO MUCH!!! I really do try!

[@susanbye6777]

I love watching your videos! Thank you so much for taking us on your adventures! In comparison to the many shellers out there who film, not many come close to your quality, your ability to narrate and your naturalness! Makes me look forward to your next post each time! Happy Easter!❤

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thank you SO MUCH Susan! I really enjoy making these videos and I'm grateful that people like you take the time to watch them and enjoy them. I hope you and your family had a Happy Easter!

[@lilalightandlove421]

The next time I get to Florida’s beaches, I want to try night shelling!

[@SWFBeachLife]

Just make sure it's not turtle season! I totally forgot to mention that it's only okay to use the white lights November through April :) Try it and let me know what you think!

[@hurpdurp3669]

Before 6 in the morning: Me: Asleep SWF Beach Life: *THE BEACH CALLS ME*

[@SWFBeachLife]

I even have a special ring tone for it :)

[@martimadden7365]

Your clips always make me happy.... Wish I lived further South, lol!

[@carolledger8047]

Thank you so much for taking me with you. I loved it so much. My happy place is the beach but I live in upstate New York and I'm 64 so I don't have the pleasure of walking on the beach much. Please don't stop.

[@SWFBeachLife]

I'm going to continue making these videos as long as I can! I love the beach too and I'm blessed to live in such a beautiful area of the country. I love sharing the beaches and all the goodies I find along the way. Thank you for coming along with me!

[@susanschmitz5871]

We really love your channel! Please don’t change, it’s perfect 😁🥰❤️

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thank you so much for supporting me and watching my walks! I love you guys too!

[@suemulkins9953]

I'm live in Northern Illinois and get completely absorbed in your shell adventures. Have she'll hunted in Ft Myers once as my sister lives there. Coming down for a visit in October!! Will be following your videos in the meantime. They are GREAT!!

[@mlgauss60435]

I'd be too chicken to night shell, but, like you said, you knew that beach. That one bubble shell you picked up, made me laugh out loud! To me, it looked like a jelly bean, and today is Easter. LOL! Can't wait till next Sunday, have a great week!

[@SWFBeachLife]

That bubble did look like a jelly bean didn't it? I went shelling on the East coast and had picked up what I thought was a bubble shell just to check it out and it turned out to be a trivia, which looks like a little cowrie and I was so excited! You never know what your'e going to find - that's for sure. Thanks so much for watching my vids!

[@raydinacavazos3562]

That sunrise was beautiful and I loved all the beautiful seashells you found!! I always think of seashells as God's jewels from the deep sea! 🤗 Happy Easter!!

[@SWFBeachLife]

Happy Easter to you too! I am truly blessed to live here and to be able to share my walks!

[@jtb8155]

Your dedication is absolutely amazing! Thank you for taking me to the beach! I love how much you teach us about the shells and critters on the beach!

[@mcdedits.]

She’s so nice with the seashells because she doesn’t just take all the shells and leaves them for other people!!

[@SWFBeachLife]

Aww - thank you so much! 😍

[@nancycross2228]

Thank you for the walk on Ft Myers. Is on my list to visit soon !

[@SWFBeachLife]

It's not to be missed. Great mix of shells AND critters!

[@Jean2235177]

I love watching the little coquinas bury themselves. Beautiful sunrise!

[@SWFBeachLife]

I love those little colorful coquinas!

[@pearlsandpersecco5194]

I’m staying at Emerald Isle NC this week and we found a spiny jewel box. I had no idea that could be found this far north. I was so excited.

[@SWFBeachLife]

Oh that's so neat! Isn't it more fun when you know what you're finding? I hope you find lots of other goodies while you're there!

[@lorraineespinoza593]

Happy Easter 🐚 beautiful sun rise 🌅

[@SWFBeachLife]

Happy Easter to you too!

[@helensmith2839]

Would like to see some of the things you create with your shell collection TY!❣🙏🐚

[@SWFBeachLife]

Coming soon! I have a mirror project I'll be starting in the near future!

[@SnowPink90]

The Calico Scallop that was pink was my favourite and of course the Rose Petal Tellin. I don’t think night shelling would be my thing. Beautiful day for shell hunting. Thank you for a great walk!!😊🐬

[@SWFBeachLife]

I've only done this once and I think I might give it another try. It wasn't my favorite, but it's neat to try something different.

[@hollybess2811]

I just love your beach walks and awesome that you give us beach time. I truly miss hearing the beach as well as seeing it! I call tell just how long you spend searching through things because your fingers are " granny hands" as my Grandbabies would say! Funny!!😂

[@SWFBeachLife]

Oh I get "granny hands" a lot since I prefer to really be in or near the water when I'm looking for shells. Fun fact - our hands do that to give us more "grip" on things in the water ☺️

[@hollybess2811]

@@SWFBeachLife I never knew that!! No matter our age, we still learn new things everyday! I very much look forward to more of your beachy adventures!😊⛱️

[@CB-yi1sb]

Sun, surf and shells! I wish I could smell the fresh ocean air and take a relaxing walk on the beach coming upon sea creatures and pretty shells. I appreciate you taking us along with you :)

[@SWFBeachLife]

It really is fun beach coming and sharing all the things I find along the way. I love learning and figuring things out so when I find something I've never seen before I can't wait to go home and research it. Thanks so much for watching and coming along with me!

[@bonniericica6895]

Love finding the Rose peddles!

[@MermaidGunner]

We just got back from HAWIWI. Went shelling multiple times- we’ve always called it beach-combing. I totally thought of you every time lol

[@nancymorrison9978]

Thanks for taking us along on your shelling Adventure.😍🐚

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thank you for watching my shelling adventures! It's a win-win!

[@robinferguson2813]

I have just today found you and have so enjoyed watching several of your walks! You are such a joy to listen to and be with while you are searching! Thank You so much! ❤

[@SWFBeachLife]

Aw - you are so very welcome! Thanks for taking the time to leave me such a sweet comment :) And thank you so much for watching and coming along with me on my walks!

[@esthercoar5464]

Night shelling is a good one time thing to do to cross it off the bucket list.

[@SWFBeachLife]

EXACTLY! Sure, if a big ol' storm blows though I might consider doing it again, but I wasn't really a fan. Plus the pictures are terrible - LOL!

[@nowvoyagerNE]

Happy Easter to you and yours! thanks for taking us along for your surfin' safari! *:-)*

[@SWFBeachLife]

Happy Easter to you too and as always thank you for watching my vids!

[@gail3010]

Thank you so much Charman and Jaime for your wonderful videos and for this giveaway. I don't live near a beach so I love watching and learning with you. My bucket list shell is a junonia - maybe I'll find it one day.

[@caroljayne8870]

Left angel wings ! Another wonderful walk, thanks for taking me (&others) along !! Thanks for sharing the critters too...

[@SWFBeachLife]

You are so very welcome - thank you so much for watching! xoxo

[@thipthip4004]

I really love your voice. From Thailand

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thank you Thailand!

[@mitzimorris4746]

All the sunrise Venus......I wish I would have been there they are my favorite. Great walk as always. Thank you

[@SWFBeachLife]

The sunrise Venus clams are so interesting since they come in so many different color varieties. Thanks for coming along with me on my walk!

[@candykelly3401]

This is the first time I saw a east coast sunrise-I always see the sunset on the Pacific coast. Thanks for the treat, and the wonderful shelling knowledge!😎👍👏

[@SWFBeachLife]

It's truly my pleasure to share - thanks so much for watching!

[@yx6889]

Very enjoyable!

[@SWFBeachLife]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jacruick]

Oh I would so be there with you at sunrise. My favorite time of the day. Happy shelling then afterwards bloody Mary’s and breakfast. Lol

[@SWFBeachLife]

That sounds like my kind of way to start the day!!! 😃🐚

[@natalieferguson9048]

Your videos are just so mesmerizing and gave such a lovely calming effect, I absolutely love it 🙌🏻😁💕

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thank you so much! I hope you're learning a shell or two along the way :)

[@bconsilio3764]

Nice diversity! I like the newer types of shells you are picking up. Pinks & purples! Not too fond of the night shelling either.😊🌼🌷🌼🌷🌼🌷

[@SWFBeachLife]

I like when I find a nice variety of shells to share and if you throw a few critters in there I'm in heaven! Thanks so much for coming along with me on my walk!

[@kathyjund7212]

I loved this adventure!!!! All the pairs out there I was going crazy! Yes definitely after a storm would be great but you never know...a negative low tide at night I would do it cuz you never know!!!!! Thank you and a very happy Easter to you!!! Hugs!

[@SWFBeachLife]

Happy Easter beach friend! There were so many pairs but they didn't hold up great after I got them home and they dried off. A lot of the pairs also broke apart :( That hinge is really had to keep intact. I wasn't really a fan or the night shelling so I think I'll stick to day shelling unless there is a storm or something really worth while to go out there in the dark for. I feel like I'd have to pitch a tent to be the first one out on the beach!

[@lisasparkman2924]

Excellent video. Nice variety of shells not usually talked about and I'm glad you took the time to educate us out here. Thanks so much.

[@SWFBeachLife]

You are so very welcome!

[@NinetyOneAdventures]

Such a great idea for a channel! We live in Florida and I grew up going to Daytona and New Smyrna. I've seen these shells my whole life and never knew what they were! Thank you!!

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thanks so much! It wasn't long after I moved here that I knew I had to share this amazing area with a KZbin channel. And I didn't know I'd become obsessed with shells - but I have. Thanks so much for taking the time to watch and leave a comment!

[@lisak5133]

Thanks so much for showing those egg casings! It's good to know the difference. 😊 Love the video, as always! 🥰

[@SWFBeachLife]

You are so very welcome! Thank you for coming along with me in my walk!

[@TheBohemiansWife]

I just found your show…I love it!

[@SWFBeachLife]

Welcome to my channel! I love the beach and every week I upload a new beach walk. I find the coolest stuff on the beach!

[@leeannemesserschmidt731]

Thanks for a great night shelling! Makes me feel like I am there... maybe again one day.. I sure do miss my Ft Myers beach and shelling! Maybe this fall. ❤️

[@SWFBeachLife]

I can certainly see why you would miss FMB. I did too every time left before we moved here permanently. I can't imagine living anywhere else and I hope you get to come back and visit soon :)

[@lindagiammarco2687]

Another great adventure. Love the rose petal shells. Gorgeous shade of pink. It was very interesting to see what night shelling is like. I agree with you. Night shelling is not the greatest. It can be scary. I'm excited about your upcoming island trip next week. Thanks for your videos. I look forward to next weeks video. Happy Easter.

[@SWFBeachLife]

Happy Easter Linda! I'm glad I tried night shelling so I can mark it off "the list" but I think I'll stick to day shelling. Unless of course a big ol' storm blows through in which case I might try it again but I almost feel like I'd have to camp on the beach to be the first one out there!

[@TheMTL1011]

Wow,sooooooooooooo COOL!!!!!

[@deniseview4253]

My opinion you did more then ok. I’d love to pick at the beaches you go to. Lovely shells. And this episode was amazing! So love the urchin, star fish and I’ve never seen a live sand dollar of any of the other creatures you showed. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@cathybaseman2776]

Just found you and love your show. Your film quality is so good and I love your commentary. I was a shell collector when I was young and have quite a collection but I forgot many of the names. I really enjoy you telling all the names, it confirms what I remember and shows me how many names I forgot.

[@SWFBeachLife]

Well I'm glad you found my channel too! I have learned so much in the short 2 years I've lived here. I'm excited to see what 2022 has in store!

[@geriaina3552]

Great beach! I love your knowledge. You sound like someone I'd totally go shell hunting with.

[@SWFBeachLife]

LOL! I love this beach - it's the reason we chose to move where we did here in Florida and it still brings me joy every time I visit!

[@laurahallman8650]

Thank you for the great videos! Show us what you do crafting the shells.

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thank you so much! I haven't started working on my shell mirror but I finally found the mirror and I'm busy collecting all the shells I'll need. I promise I'll share the progress!

[@johnfrench6144]

Loved all the critters! Crab and starfish... those little waders looked like sandling or knots .. your rose tellin, we have similar here but are known as ,,Thin tellin, still that beautiful pink but only as wide as your finger.. loved the video.. Awesome. Take care .

[@SWFBeachLife]

My favorite shelling day is when I find shells and critters to say hi to. It's fascinating to me how all these creatures live all over the world and look so different in different regions. I want to visit them all!!! Thanks for watching!

[@laurieowen8696]

I've not been able to watch your videos for a few weeks. My move south incurred some detours. I'm back in the game. I can't control the wind, but I can adjust my sails to reach my destination. Tonight, I'm watching the videos I've missed, and feeling inspiration. Many blessings and happy shelling😘

[@SWFBeachLife]

Moving always seems to throw a few surprises in there but you have the right attitude! I hope you get settled soon and you conquer all obstacles in your way!

[@Julianne955]

Whoa!!! A hinged Duck Clam???!!! Wow! Never, ever have I seen that! Nice find!

[@SWFBeachLife]

Those duck clams had me totally fascinated until I discovered the Lady in Waiting Venus clam! I have a new favorite that we'll all learn about! Thank you so much for watching!

[@divingwithmicheleinvirgini7957]

Awesome haul! I need to get to FL so I can go shelling.

[@SWFBeachLife]

I hope you do get to come and find some goodies! 🐚

[@pamdennis1007]

I love the beach and really love collecting shells. I always say when I go to beach, I put my shell buckets in car before anything else. But I havent been able to go for awhile. So I'm living picking up shells thru you.

[@SWFBeachLife]

I'm with you - my shell bag is always in my trunk so I don't forget it :) I'm sorry you can't get to the beach to go shelling but happy that I can "take you with me" each week! Thanks so much for watching!

[@gingermackeen5741]

Night shelling...hmmm. I used to be able to go early at Honeymoon Island with an "after-hours pass". That stopped with Covid. You find the prettiest gaudys! The ones I find here are usually weathered with very little design left. Correct on the hinged false angel wings. It's funny how some days you find several of a particular species that you don't see other days. Very cool pointed venus clam! I've never seen one before. The other day I saw a bunch of hinged srv's as well. A really good use for that size pen shell is a nightlight. They are beautiful lot up!

[@SWFBeachLife]

A pen shell nightlight - brilliant! I never bring the pen shells home but I'm going to have to start! I have been dying to try night shelling and I needed to get it done before turtle season starts (May). I do absolutely find some nice gaudys - I keep my prized ones in a little case with all my favorites. I'm now trying to start identifying more of the small shells and discovered that pointed Venus - cool little shells those Venus clams!

[@paulknight160]

I appreciate your interest in the little bivalves. On the east coast we have a pretty big variety. I had a collection of over 160 different shells. I love the shells, they are so amazing. Janet Knight

[@SWFBeachLife]

WOW! I'm not good at all at the little shells yet. I have a new video coming out tonight with a bunch of new tiny shells I discovered. Hopefully I identified them correctly!

[@lindsayhansen4117]

First time we went shelling was before sunrise and we watched the moon set over the Gulf. It was awesome! The next time we waited for sunrise. I would definitely do that again on my next trip!❤

[@SWFBeachLife]

I do love being out on the beach super early when the world is just waking up. It's so peaceful and serene :) I wish the shots of the orange moon would have shown up better for this video. It was beautiful.

[@kit2130]

My favorite of your finds is that pink & white calico, so pretty! Also the rose slips I think they’re called are so pretty especially in a group & the little butterfly looking cochina’s (sorry for the spelling) are adorable. They would be a pretty craft in a flying pattern with all their color varieties! Maybe on a little wooden keepsake box or something.

[@SWFBeachLife]

I agree with you and the coquinas - but they are really hard to keep together (hinged) once they dry out. That being said they could always be arranged like wings again and glued to a box or something. Neat idea :) Thank you so much for watching!

[@denisem6754]

I love night shelling, but didn’t do any on my recent trip to FL, it was vacation and sleeping was a priority! I did get up early most mornings and scored some lovely finds before most folks were out there, but I certainly wasn’t alone. My favorite shell of the trip is a tiny little shell that is a bright orange-brown color, it’s a Tampa Turrid and it’s gorgeous. I’m already missing the beach, so thank you for the great video!

[@SWFBeachLife]

That Tampa turrid is so pretty! I've never seen one but I'm going to start looking. The night shelling wasn't t my favorite, but I wanted to at least try it. If there was a storm + low tide I might be tempted to try again but I do prefer to see my surroundings :) I hope you can make it back to FL soon!

[@mavisrayfehr6836]

I love the Sunray Venus clams ! I haven't found very many here in Navarre, Florida. They are here, I just haven't found them, lol. I am not a fan on night shelling either. Sunrise is good for me. Happy Easter 🐇

[@SWFBeachLife]

Those Sunray Venus shells are neat. They have so many color variations and the little ones are so cute! As it turns out I'm not really a night shelling fan either but I had to find out! Thanks so much for watching and Happy Easter to you too!

[@carolmccorry3053]

Hi new subscriber today, so happy I found your vlog

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thanks for subbing! I'm glad you found me too! If you like the beach, shells and beach critters, you'll probably like my content 🦀🐬🌴🌊🐚

[@annewhite9502]

Thanks for your advice on places to shell. We visited Fort Myers beach on Sunday. It was crazy busy. In the afternoon on Sanibel. It was best for calico scoliosis. Lovers Key was yesterday morning . I found the most unusual shells there.I definitely have more respect for the shells you find. Thanks again for the perfect advice.

[@SWFBeachLife]

I hope you enjoyed your time at the different beaches. I walk MANY miles to find my treasures ☺️

[@chandamoreland5119]

Love your videos ❤️❤️ planning a trip to Fort Myers for my birthday in March so I can go shelling 🥳

[@SWFBeachLife]

My birthday is in March too 🤗 I hope you find everything you're looking for when you come!

[@broccoligirl9019]

I find all types of cool stuff and creatures when taking walks on the beach at night

[@teresabarber217]

You had ne at the moon! Between the one and the sea. My happy places.

[@SWFBeachLife]

I wish the moon would have showed up better on video. It was so pretty! Thank you for watching!

[@annettadunham7611]

Keep them coming and Happy Easter

[@SWFBeachLife]

Happy Easter to you too!

[@kholbrook203]

I’ve never been out early enough to catch a super early low tide. That’s just not happening. Besides there are no good shelling beaches we could drive to. Florida really seems the place to go. I just love your adventures! You have so much fun, but but you’re learning things to and teaching your knowledge to others. That’s such a wonderful thing to do. Take care and have fun.❤️

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thanks for coming along with me on this walk! I don't know if night shelling is my favorite, but I'd definitely try again after a big storm if it made sense!

[@LilKream]

Hi SWF beach life! It’s Kat! Sorry I haven’t been commenting for so long, life got kinda busy so Covid and all and virtual school, but I finally got KZbin to work right! It had been like loading for a while for some reason and my friend had to help me post things, but I finally got it working! I’m in California with my grandparents cause California is really good about Covid right now, but sadly we have to head back to Virginia tomorrow cause of the time difference and spring break ending, but I had a lot of fun here, and I went shelling and found 2 sand dollars, a ton of little shells, and a couple of basket clam shells! I also found super pretty rocks. Hope you are doing well right now, especially cause you live in Florida. Happy Easter!

[@SWFBeachLife]

Happy Easter Kat! I was wondering where you went to! I'm glad to hear you're okay and had a nice Spring Break in CA and you got to go shelling! A friend from CA sent me some dwarf purple olives - they're so cute! I hope you have a safe trip back home and the rest of the school year goes well for you. :) Summer is almost here!

[@sallya.2412]

Those sea urchins are neat. Finding a deceased one is pretty. I do enjoy your video as you tell us what type of shells your picking up and the close ups. Beautiful beach out there.

[@SWFBeachLife]

I found three of the cutest little keeper urchins the last time I was out on the beach. I'll share those next Sunday. Thanks for coming along with me Sally!

[@ilonamollema6467]

What an amazing time of day to go shelling! Just seeing the sun coming up and the world awakes. In my humble opinion you did great! The shells are gorgeous as always, and I really love your comment with every find. I'm glad that you went out of bed early, and it's not me. I'm not an early bird at all. (but for shelling I'll make and exception😅) In fact, I'm watching this video in my bed at night. 😁 Thank you for this wonderful trip and taking us with you! I can hardly wait to see your next adventure to an island! Big hug ❤ from a cold, windy and from tomorrow on even snowy Netherlands.

[@SWFBeachLife]

It was nice being out on the beach right before the sun came up. I love the peace and quiet and the supplemental sounds of the birds and waves. It's glorious! I guess I am now a morning person. I don't like getting up (ever), however once I'm up and out I'm really happy to be out there before people wake up. I like having the beach to myself :) Sending you Florida warmth my Netherland friend!

[@tammybales7271]

Great video as always. I watch the other shelling channels but none compares to you. Thanks always for your knowledge and respect for the ocean. Actually, I loved your night adventure...so cool. What kind of headlamp did you end up with?

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thank you so much! I appreciate you noticing how much effort I put into my videos :) This is the headlamp that I bought. It worked great! amzn.to/3arfA2O

[@shellstories]

Congrats on your first good night shelling trip! All those intact sunray venus were great to see, I'm a sucker for those LOL. Definitely a false angel wing pair you found and great job IDing the operculum. I think the semele shells you found are actually white atlantic semeles. Even though they're called that, they can still have colorful patterns and a pinkish color. They are pretty tough to differentiate though.

[@SWFBeachLife]

Ugh on the semeles. I’m going to just keep trying to get them right and one day I will! I didn’t care for night shelling. I know you have gone and found amazing shells - I think to change my mind I’d need to go after a storm. It’s always more fun when the treasures keep coming!

[@michaelhaggerty-villa5194]

I have a lot of Top sales and there so cool! I'm a shell lover yes I love shells 🤗🤗

[@SWFBeachLife]

Top shells are neat and I finally found my first live one not too long ago. Thanks so much for watching!

[@aries327]

I’ve gotta say I agree with you on the night shelling. It’s kinda spooky but I really don’t find anything that I think is worth getting up super early. Maybe I just had the wrong timing or no real good storms to bring them in. Oh well, I stick to the daylight hours now.

[@SWFBeachLife]

I'm with you - I'll stick to daytime shelling. At least I can mark that off my list of things to try! Hope you have a great week!

[@brendalea2339]

Thank you

[@SWFBeachLife]

You're welcome! Thank you for watching!

[@edithmarielilly-quimby6470]

I live in Maine and love shells,rocks and more. If you could find some of the small shells like you have picked up maybe we can make a deal,I would love it so

[@SWFBeachLife]

The small shells are out there but I tend to walk and look for the larger ones. Maybe this summer when the shells are hiding I can do a video about the smaller ones. Thank you for watching!

[@karleenpage5979]

Unless there had been a big storm or a tsunami, yeah, I think night shelling is kind of dangerous. 🦀So take care of yourself! Still a great video!!! 🐚🌊Hugs from Virginia! 🌊

[@revmomvpable]

What I like to do in the dark at low tide is to take a flashlight and look for sand dollars, little round circles under the sand. There seem to be less in recent years than maybe 5 or 6 years ago, but it is still fun.

[@SWFBeachLife]

It's turtle season now so white lights are allowed on the beach at night right now - bummer because all the low tides seem to be in the middle of the night! I'll maybe try this again once turtle season is over :) Thank you for watching!

[@broccoligirl9019]

I love shell piles because you never know what you will find

[@SWFBeachLife]

I knoooow! Every once in a while you'll find something that everyone else missed!

[@chrisbgifford7387]

Maybe you should pick up the pieces of the horse conch and put them together like a puzzle. As soon as your monstrosity is finished you are bond to find the real deal! Ya know Murphy's Law. I love the rose petal tellin is my favorite and unfound. That is what I want to find next time at Sanibel. If not I'll roam other beaches. I also dislike dark shelling, I tried it once and I'm night blind, was a total bust. Thanks

[@SWFBeachLife]

The scenery at night wasn't all that great either - LOL. Those rose petal tellins are neat - so funny to see a bright pink shell on the beach. I hope you find a whole bunch next time you're on Sanibel and I'll keep looking for those elusive shells I'm on the hunt for: big horse conch, wentletrap, a whole scotch bonnet, a sunrise tellin and how knows - maybe even a junonia one of these days!

[@artiejohnson703]

The purple and pink shells are so pretty. Such a beautiful early morning watching the sun rise. Thanks for a great video. What app do you use for the high & low tide?

[@SWFBeachLife]

I wonder how early I'd need to be out there to be the first one on the beach! The pastel shells were appropriate for Easter :) I was getting that question about the tide app A LOT and included all the info in one of my past videos - here is the part where I show you the app: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZzTiXibmrpskLc

[@michaelhaggerty-villa5194]

I like the cow shells i use a lot of them

[@maddiepost1]

Great haul!! I’m on the countdown to June!!!! Hopefully you experienced Keewadin or the 10,000 islands!!!

[@SWFBeachLife]

10,000 islands - check. Keewaydin...not yet. It's on the list though. I'll get there eventually! June will be here before you know it!

[@maddiepost1]

@@SWFBeachLife we rent a pontoon boat and go every year! 😊 You must put it on the list!! Can’t wait to hear about your 10k islands trip!!!

[@SWFBeachLife]

@@maddiepost1 I was checking out the shuttle schedule this morning. I’m hoping after “season” things might slow down a bit. I’m willing to wait a few weeks to have more island to myself ☺️ The 10,000 islands was my recent 2 part video but can’t wait to go back!

[@-JulesWithPaws-]

I once saw sting rays,dolphins,seagulls(of corse),a horseshoe crab)and fish on the same day.I was sleepy from all the sea life. (Not trying to brag by the way just to say how my day at the beach was and it was not this beach as well)

[@SWFBeachLife]

Oh I love seeing everything that lives at the beach - on the sand and in the water. This is my favorite "critter" beach, however finding a loggerhead sea turtle laying eggs on Sanibel was pretty epic too. Congrats on your fun beach day!

[@roberth5767]

Some great shells! No matter how I time my arrival with the low tide at Honeymoon Island, there is always a ton of people ahead of me on the beach.

[@Julianne955]

Keep searching...some of my best shells were found in the area of MANY footprints.

[@SWFBeachLife]

It's pretty crazy what some of us will do for shells! Including getting up super early. I agree with Julianne - just go hunt anyway. You never know what someone else is going to leave behind!

[@SWFBeachLife]

Agreed! You never know what others might miss!

[@roberth5767]

@@Julianne955 I also like to think that the perfect shell can be on the next wave coming in!

[@StacysSoCalledLife]

Sanibel/Captiva is my fave place ever! I used to go with my family prob once to twice a year when I was a kid. I was able to go back FINALLY! 3 years ago and am going back to my "home away from home" in mid July *squeal* im hoping to move down to that area in a few years.. I still have shells from there that I collected prob about 20+ years ago at this point! I would always call all the "swirly" types of shells conch shells. lol now I know theirs different names for them 😅 Im hoping to find sand dollars and star fish on my upcoming trip as well as some other cool shells that I now know arent actually broken lol

[@SWFBeachLife]

Sanibel/Captiva is pretty awesome. Its so crazy that it's thiiiiiis close but takes me forever to drive over there with one road in and one road out! I think most of the beauty of the area is from the conservation that the city put in place years ago. No buildings taller than the tallest tree and acres and acres of preserve in the JN Ding Darling preserve. It's truly a special place - plus THE SHELLS ARE AWESOME!! I hope mid-July is perfect for you and you find lots of fantastic things. You might even see a manatee from the beach at that time of year. YAY!!

[@annjohnson543]

Love to go night shelling but you definitely need to be careful!

[@SWFBeachLife]

Absolutely! I would recommend going to a beach you know very well too just in case. It's a totally different experience going at night!

[@idk-ed3ck]

My heart is in Fort Myers. This native New Yorker is counting the days until I can retire to paradise, Southwest Florida.

[@SWFBeachLife]

I hear you! I waited 3 years to move here and it was torture. We love it here and can't imagine living anywhere else!

[@DolphinGal3]

Where do you park when you go shelling at the south end of Fort Myers Beach? There doesn't seem to be a public parking lot anywhere in the vicinity.

[@SWFBeachLife]

There is off street hourly parking at beach access points. Sometimes The Wyndham will also offer parking in their lot.

[@Sea-cucumber1151]

Those holes are from the sharks eye, they make that drilled hole look when they ingest it.

[@jtgood9105]

Absolutely love your channel. What beach is this? (:

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thank you so much! This is Fort Myers Beach. It hold a special place in my heart since it's the beach that convinced us to move to this area!

[@jtgood9105]

@@SWFBeachLife Aww awesome! Glad you guys enjoy the area. Thanks so much for the info! I binge watch your videos everyday! So entertaining, and informative. Planning a trip to Florida this month, and wondering where the best places to shell are. ❤️❤️❤️ Thanks again for being awesome!

[@bonniericica6895]

What do you do with the shells you find on the beach? I often hear of you talking about some kind of craft!

[@SWFBeachLife]

I keep some, I put some to the side to sell and the ones that are chipped, broken or somehow damaged I put to the side to glue onto the "Shell mirror" I'm going to make. I can't seem to bring myself to put glue on a perfectly good shell so I'll be using broken, chipped or "imperfect" shells to cover the frame for that craft. And then I have a bucket of shells I return to the beach every so often. It's a lot of work keeping them all organized!

[@Randilynn66]

wow, you're dedicated. We're currently in Naples visiting, we went to Delmar wiggins today, no shells. We're driving to Bowman's tomorrow.

[@SWFBeachLife]

I was at Bowman’s today! Lots of little shells all over. Go to the right once you hit the beach! Good luck!

[@Randilynn66]

@@SWFBeachLife Bowman's was a bust. We got there at 9:30 and off my wife went for two hours to find shells. She didn't find anything amazing.

[@SWFBeachLife]

@@Randilynn66 UGH!!! I ran into a lady that started at 6am and she had KILLER AWESOME shells. Makes me think I need to get out there earlier. I'm sorry you didn't find great stuff :(

[@Randilynn66]

@@SWFBeachLife It was still a nice relaxing day. Tomorrow we're going to Lowdermilk in Naples. Next month we're coming back and staying in Marco, so we're trying to check out other beaches.

[@SWFBeachLife]

@@Randilynn66 I love Marco beaches. Try Tigertail and let me know what you think.

[@yomama8873]

🤩🤩💜

[@SWFBeachLife]

💜💜💜 Hope you have a good week!

[@cherylhafner1946]

Do the no see ums bother you that time of day?

[@SWFBeachLife]

The noseeums don't usually bother me at all, but I'm always on the move and usually near the water, so that probably helps.

[@carolbearce5318]

How do you get the hinged shells to stay hinged after drying out?

[@SWFBeachLife]

Sometimes you can't. I would put the 2 sides in the position you'd like them to be in before the hinge dries out. You might have better luck keeping it together like that!

[@ngpoct123456789]

I thought you would have found really awesome stuff. I agree, stick to day time. Lol

[@SWFBeachLife]

I'm glad I tried it but I sure like the scenery better during the day!

[@CarrieGerenScogginsOfficial]

How safe are most of the beaches at night, or early morning hours?

[@SWFBeachLife]

From my experience, I've never felt unsafe. It was creepy being in the dark, but I still wasn't necessarily worried about my safety. That being said, I do carry mace just in case!

[@michellepodunavac5040]

have you ever tried CLR to remove sea stuff? (Calcium Lime Rust remover)

[@SWFBeachLife]

I have not. Someone else had asked me and I forgot to try it. Once I discovered that 100% bleach will remove the periostracum from the Florida Fighting Conchs I stopped trying to figure out what to clean them with. That being said, I still do get white marks (calcium) on them that I'd like to figure out how to remove. I should try it!

[@spongeviper9796]

I was just at Pensacola and my favorite part was shelling at night

[@SWFBeachLife]

Really? I was not a fan. Maybe if I was finding amazing shells I'd have a different opinion ;) I'd try it again, but only after a storm. I hope you found great stuff in Pensacola!

[@spongeviper9796]

Yeah I like it because there isn’t many people there and there’s a nice breeze. And yeah I found some pretty nice stuff, thanks!

[@elizabethfarmer985]

Is a spiny jewel box the same as a kittens paw?

[@SWFBeachLife]

The spiny jewel box are almost always white and can have fantastic spikes on it. The kitten paws are more flat, but can also be white with some orange color on them. Some might look similar, but they are indeed two completely different shells :)

[@altheamcnabb2829]

That crab was in a battle over something and it LOST BIG TIME! It now has no defense because both its larger claws were RIPPED OFF! Poor thing. I hope it eats a lot and can molt soon to grow them back.

[@jeanneamato8278]

Everything is interesting to me.