There are seashells in the British Virgin Islands!
Clark and I just got back from a quick trip to some of the beautiful islands of Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke and Anegada to do a little sailing and a lot of shelling. We found shells, SEA GLASS, CORAL, SEA WHIPS, RELICS and POTTERY fragments from old ship wrecks.
We combed the fabulous beaches…
We snorkeled and explored the crystal clear turquoise Caribbean waters…
And found some beautiful treasures.
There were shells on every island!
Since our whirlwind trip just ended, I will start organizing our BVI loot so I can show you all the cool stuff we found and tell you where we found it. While I unpack our shells, I’ll take a few photos so I can show you how we get our goodies home in our luggage safe and sound without breaking fragile shells and SEA URCHINS. (How To Pack Fragile Sea Urchins and Seashells In Your Luggage Without Breaking)
The beaches and shelling were amazing but hanging out with Jane, John, Sandy and Roger was the more fun than ever. The BVIs will never be the same.
I can’t wait to show you more photos!
Oh Lord, do I ever want to be there right now. I love your photos, can’t wait to see more! Everyone up here in New England is ready to join you!
Oh yes count me there, I’m in New England too & I’m ready to move. Take me away.
Mary Ann
East Granby CT
I’m in New England too! Dreaming of the warmth!
I agree with Cheryl. We miss Florida and the warm weather. It’s now zero degrees outside. We should have booked an extra week. Looks like you had a great time in the BVI. Can’wait for more pictures. Pat
Wow. Those shells are absolutely beautiful!! Good job! And in the 3rd photo from the top, the 2nd item from the left, is that a piece of petrified wood? At least that’s what it looks like to me. Just curious. Anyway, another great post again. Thanks, Pam!! It’s fun to see what shells look like from different parts of the world!
Kaye, its not petrified wood, I found lots of pieces of old pottery washing up on the beach. Im trying to research the different pieces I found because there are lots from old shipwrecks and also from the 1600s Arawak Indians. So cool!
cow wreck beach and Blue Bamboo! No words to describe the beauty.
Exactly, Cone Queen. Im having a hard time describing just how beautiful…. and FUN!
I had a dream last night that I found oodles of sea glass and then I saw your post with that photo and it blew my mind! What an absolute treat! Thanks for sharing :-)
I thought i was dreaming too when I saw so much sea glass washing up! :)
Pat, Cheryl and Mary Ann- I feel so badly for you guys! Just stay safe and I’ll try to warm u up by hurrying with my next post of aqua waters and sandy beaches. <3
Oh, how beautiful!! I love seeing the different shells you find in all of the different areas you travel to. They are all beautiful but I expecially love the dark blue glass – just lovely. I am curious to know what you find out about the pottery. History is so interesting.
I know I don’t have it as bad as everyone in New England, but 6 degrees this morning and more snow expected tonight. Brrrrr I’ll be there in 6 days and it can’t come soon enough.
What a wonderful trip with Clark and good friends. Looking forward to more of your beautiful pictures.
Oh, it sounds wonderful! It is way too cold up here, and there aren’t nearly enough shells!
I love the 1st picture with the sea glass. So colorful! I collect sea glass from SW Florida beaches, but it’s never this plentiful or pretty. I really like the shades of blue. Your picture made me smile as I am in Ohio in the midst of cold (-2), snowy weather. Can’t wait to visit Florida next month!
Wow, We also just came back from Caribbean, I did not pick up enough shell, need to go back.. haha
Pam, I love the photo of all six of you in the water; it’s pretty, but also hilarious! Glad you had a nice time.
Yes, as Katherine noted, even in NYC the temperature is in the single digits today. Sunny and blue sky though, which is always nice…..
Looks beautiful! Can’t wait to see more photos. Where did you stay?
wow those shells are beautiful you two are so lucky because you get to go so many neat places but you come back and share with all your friends which shows how nice the two of you really are.this was a very special post because some shells looked like sharks eyes and limpets and jewel boxes but seem to be a bit more beautiful thanks for sharing r.g. stein
A friend once brought me a queen conch from the Bahamas. Divers gathered them and sold the meat for food. To make a little extra money, they sold the empty shells to tourists for a dollar apiece.
Wow! What awesome finds! I have found a new place to visit! Thank you so much for sharing!
Pam, If you were going to go to one island in this group and wanted to shell from the beach (no boat) which island would you go to?
What wonderful “loot” from your trip! Can’t wait to read all about it – we used a lot of your info for a trip last summer to North and Middle Caicos, TCI, and your travel tips were spot on! Hoping you put together another “map” to the best shelling spots like you did with TCI – it was REALLY helpful! Glad you had a wonderful trip, Pam and Clark.
Oh Ann- I love to hear that my info on the Caicos helped you!!!! Thats so cool!
Thanks for the wonderful info on your trip. I was in the BVI years ago when I was much younger and found mostly limpets. Truthfully, I think there are more ‘gifts” on Sanibel. But the snorkeling in the BVI’s is amazing!
Pam,
This trip sounds amazing….cant wait to hear and see all about it! The shells you showed us look beautiful!
Are those nerites?
Yep! Zebra nerites. There were hundreds of them. Love them!
Please tell me the name of the shells – 6th picture down. Never have seen
them before.
PS I am so jealous!!!!!
Janet
If its the ones that 2 of them I’m showing the aperture in the top right and left corners- they are nerite bleeding tooth shells you are talking about.
Sounds like you had a marvelous time!, and your pictures show a fabulous getaway. I live in Wisconsin and it is -5 degrees right now. I will be visiting Sanibel but not until July so to get me through the grueling winter months and the long wait til i’m on the beach again I watch your shelling videos all the time! They transport me back to where Iam the happiest. I get my beach therapy walking right along side you finding all the precious shells.
Thanks Pam for always sharing.
Julie
Love all of your finds!! Always exciting finding beautiful shells on vacation! I love the BVI’s but haven’t been there in many years. I will have to go back after reading and seeing this!!
Seeing that I have no captain to take me sailing thru the bvi any suggestions on where to stay on land?? Want to go on my own shelling adventure!!! Might even hit up cat island….sanibel has no rooms available for a ten day stay…( sometime between March 15 ish thru april 3 ish)
Dear Pam,
Over a year after writing this post, you have made my night!!! I found an intact saltwater zebra nerite last winter on Grand Cayman (it was the best find of the vacation) and have spent the last 8 months searching and searching for it’s name. In my personal desperation (no shell shall go unidentified!!!), I had planned to bring it to the Bailey shell museum (tightly packed of course :)) for identification next week. But now the mystery is solved! I love your blog and enjoy reading all the posts and comments.
Many thanks, Jane
Dear Pam,
I first found your web site two years ago when looking for a place to shell in turks & caicos. We hooked up with Cardinal Arthur and had a wonderful time. We are looking for a new place to visit where we can snorkel & shell & bring home treasures like yours.
We went to The Exumas in the bahamas last year. Where would you recommef we try next?
If you had to go to 1 beach in the British Virgin Islands for shelling would you pick Virgin Gorda or Tortuga??? Is it illegal to take shells back to the US?