I had the best time beach combing with some pretty amazing folks yesterday on our iLoveShelling Adventure with Sight Sea-R Cruises to Little Hickory Island yesterday. For some reason I felt like I already knew John and Amy from Colorado and when they showed me their shell loot, I felt like they were shelling twins to Clark and me. LOL Those are the shells (in the top photo) they found in the first half hour of hitting the beach.
There were shells in the water and also a few nice piles up on the beach as well.
How could I not fall in love with Don and Delores from Michigan as they both have such a love for shelling and spread that happiness around to everyone.
Here are a few of their fave shells they found. Such beauties.
Brandon, Jacob and Robin (NJ) found some awesome shells too…
Check out Jacob’s perfect ALBINO LIGHTNING WHELK. It is gorgeous! And Its amazing how many NUTMEGS were found on the trip too.
So after I took the picture with Brandon, Jacob and Robin’s shells, Robin came up to me a few minutes later to show me another shell she found. Excellent ALPHIE, Robin!
Linda and Mike (New Hampshire) were thrilled they found some new shells and beach bling they’ve never found before.
Look at all the SEA PEARLS! It’s always fun to find something different washed up on the beach and it was the SEA BEANS for Mike and Linda. Another gift of the sea… PEARLS!
Local sheller Ramona (Estero) has never been able to make it to Big Hickory before since you can only get there by boat.
I’m thrilled she came with us for her first adventure to the island… and that she found treasures like diamonds in the rough.
I always love to meet the “mini” lovers … and Patty (Chicago) was the “mini” shell girl yesterday.
See? A handful of mini goodness.
Toni and Danielle (Orlando) were finding lots of keepers up n the high wrack line.
Toni’s favorite shell was this gorgeous and colorful SHARKS EYE that sparkled like a diamond too.
We had newbie shellers on our shelling trip…and they were so much fun! Texas girls Shelley (she was born to shell), Mitzy, Linda and Judy found lots of shells to put in their matching nets and bags (heehee) and saw each shell as a beautiful gift of the sea. They were bursts of fresh air all by themselves.
As with all iLoveShelling shelling cruise trips, each passenger received a $25 gift certificate to Congress Jewelers’ Sealife By Congress store. Thank you Congress for being so generous to our shelling community.
It was a beautiful day with a beautiful group of shellers.
And with a lot of beautiful sharing of shells going on too.
The boat ride to the island was even so amazing as we cruised through Estero Bay with sightings of ROSEATE SPOONBILLS, DOLPHINS, a SEA TURTLE, a MANATEE, a STINGRAY and oodles of other birds and fish. It was truly a in paradise. 
Wow! Looks like everyone had a fun-filled and VERY productive day! Everybody found such fabulous things!!! I can’t wait until I can come down and participate in one of these shelling adventures!
Thank you Pam for such a wonderful day!!! So glad we finally got to meet you. Enjoyed chatting with the Texas ladies too – they were a hoot! Having a blast our last few days here. Thanks again!
Looks like it was loads of fun! I’m hoping to make a trip down that way later this year. Seeing this today was like a mini vacation teaser!
Thanks so much for your posts It makes me feel like I am on the trip with!you !
My daughter Jess and I are really looking forward to our shelling cruise with you Pam on the 18th. It will be so lovely to finally meet you after following you for the past 2 years!
I hope that we will be as successful with our shell collection and wildlife sightings as this trip was.
Trudy, OMigosh- didn’t you just get my refund for the shell ID cards? They got returned to me for some reason- so sorry (if that was you ;)). looking forward to seeing you on the shelling trip!
That shark’s eye is a beauty! Pam, your revamped website is fantastic! The pictures are larger so I spend no extra time clicking on each one to enlarge it (eyes are getting old!). Thank you so much!
Hi Pam,
I did get your refund for the id card Pam thank you so much. Is there a store in Sanibel that I can pick up a couple of them at the start of our week? We arrive on the 12th.
Trudy
Have seen them at Bailies hardware, and also Ace. Last year.
Hi Pam. I am in Sanibel 9/2 – 9/12/2015. I am staying at Loggerhead Cay which is half way between Light House beach and Gulf Side Park. The shelling on this beach has been dismal😒 I even went out on our beach at 0130am at low tide and there was nothing to write home about. Is it the time of the year? Do you have any suggestions on where to find decent shells? Also do you need a volunteer to help with your shellaboratory? 😉
Pam, Thanks so much for a great shelling trip and for teaching Mike about the sea pearls. It is the first time in over thirty years that I see him looking for something with me and really enjoying. He has accumulated quite a few.
Hi Pam, I’m sorry if I’m at the wrong spot to contact you but I’m looking to plan my January trip and can’t find a tide chart for January 2016. Could you tell me when you will be posting the next batch of tides on your site? THANK YOU!! Rock on, your site is amazing! Crystal