Chasing Tides and Treasures

While I was stranded in North Carolina amid a record-breaking snowstorm, members of the Marco Island Shell Club were braving a different kind of winter chill. Bundled against unseasonably cold temperatures, they set out before dawn on a group shelling excursion to Keewaydin Island. At 6:00 AM, aboard a boat skimming the dark water, the cold felt sharper still—but spirits were high.

The Marco Island Shell Club is a close-knit group of dedicated shell enthusiasts who gather weekly during season to create shell art from treasures found along local beaches. The club follows a strict and respectful ethic: live shells are never taken—only empty shells naturally left behind by the sea. It’s a philosophy rooted in conservation, craftsmanship, and a deep appreciation for Florida’s coastal ecosystems.

On the morning of February 2, a full moon created ideal shelling conditions, with lowerthanusual low tides and higherthannormal high tides—often the best tides of the season. Add a boat full of shell enthusiasts aboard the Hemingway Water Shuttle and the stage was set for an unforgettable day; anticipation ran high as Keewaydin’s shoreline came into view.

The day did not disappoint. The group discovered shells most beachcombers only dream of—and even the elusive Junonia, long considered a prized find among shellers. One club member, who had organized the excursion, found her very first Junonia that morning. It was a moment that felt almost scripted by the tides themselves—proof that patience, planning, and a little lunar luck can turn a cold morning into an unforgettable coastal adventure.

Participants on a recent coastal excursion were greeted with an impressive variety of marine life and rare shells, thanks to unusually low tides and favorable conditions. Among the finds were Scotch bonnets, Junonias, alphabet cones, and more than one hundred large horse conchs—most still alive, their bright orange mollusks and operculums clearly visible.

Eight-legged starfish dotted the island, and the low tide allowed shellers to wade far into the Gulf in search of hidden treasures. Along the shoreline, lightning whelks, large true tulips, and numerous small creatures inhabiting abandoned shells were spotted near the water’s edge.

While the cold weather and chilly water posed a challenge, those willing to brave the conditions and do a bit of digging were rewarded with shells many collectors only dream of finding.

If you’d like to learn more about the Marco Island Shell Club, check out their website at

www.marcoislandshellclub.com or their Facebook Page MarcoIsland_ShellClub or Instagram @marcoislandshellclub

Shell Club Spring Expo and Art Sale March 13–14, 2026

The Shell Club will host its Spring Expo and Shell Art Sale on March 13–14 at New Life Community Church, located at 489 West Elkcam Circle, MI. The event will run from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM both days.

Visitors will have the opportunity to view and purchase a wide variety of handmade items created by shell club members using shells collected during excursions such as those to Keewaydin Island. Items for sale include holiday ornaments and decorations, jewelry, shell flowers, critters, resin pieces, tiny creations, and mosaics, made with shells gathered from Florida’s beautiful beaches.

In addition to the art sale, the event will feature an exciting raffle along with scientific and artistic displays created by club members. Admission is a $3 donation.

The Marco Island Shell Club is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and all proceeds from the event support the club’s education and scholarship programs.