Best Tips for Shelling

in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach

October 1, 2024

Shelling is a favorite pastime and a popular activity for both locals and visitors in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Our beaches are located along the Gulf, a body of saltwater brimming with an immense array of mollusks. Because of this, you’re likely to find and collect hundreds of shells from sand dollars to surf clams while exploring our shoreline, and we’ve got all the tips you need for shelling on Alabama’s beaches.

What Types of Shells Can I Find on Alabama's Beaches?

The shells you find on our beaches were once home to various mollusks, including clams, scallops, mussels, and oysters. These animals have no backbone and, therefore, need a shell to keep them supported and protected.

Common shells found in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach

Common Shells Found on Alabama’s Beaches:

Angel Wing - delicate and elongated with a white, ridged surface, resembling an angel's wing.

Ark Clams - small, heart-shaped shells with distinct ridges and a rough texture, usually found in white or gray.

Ballast Stones - rounded stones that were historically used to stabilize ships, now often polished by waves.

Common Egg Cockle - rounded with a deep, radial rib pattern, typically in shades of white or yellow.

Florida Fighting Conch - brightly colored with a thick, sturdy shell, often displaying vivid orange or pink hues.

Coquina Clams - small, colorful, and often found in clusters, these shells come in various pastel colors.

Lettered Olive - smooth, shiny, and elongated, featuring intricate brown markings on a cream background.

Mermaid’s Purse - the egg case of skates or sharks, it’s a leathery pouch often found washed ashore.

Moon Snails - round and smooth with a glossy finish, these shells have a distinctive spiral shape.

Oyster Drill Snails - small, elongated shells with a rough texture, known for their predatory habits on oysters.

Oyster - irregularly shaped with a rough, ridged exterior, often found in clusters on the shore.

Sand Dollars - flat, circular shells with a delicate, star-shaped pattern on the surface.

Scallops - fan-shaped shells with radiating ridges, commonly found in various colors like orange, red, and white.

Snail Slipper - resembling a slipper, these flat-bottomed shells are smooth with a glossy surface.

Surf Clams - large, thick shells with a smooth surface, typically found in shades of white or gray.

A Florida Fighting Conch and an Auger shell on the sand, showcasing shelling in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, Alabama.

Best time to shell

The best time to find shells on the beach in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach is just as the sun rises early in the morning. Other great times for shell hunting are when the tide is low or following a period of rough waters that have moved shells up onto the shore.

Additionally, after storms or high winds, the beaches are often replenished with new shells washed up from the ocean. Of course, there’s no “bad time” to shell in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. What makes it such a popular activity is that it can be enjoyed all day long during all four seasons.

A shelling beach in Gulf Shores covered with a variety of seashells, showcasing a prime spot for shelling along the Alabama Gulf Coast.

Prep Your Shelling Tools

Bring the right shell-collecting tools to make your shelling more productive. Pick up a free shelling bag from our Welcome Centers, or bring a bucket. Also, add sunscreen, water shoes, a small rake, and a guidebook for identifying shells to your packing list. These items will help you comfortably and efficiently gather seashells along our shores.

Kids showing shells found on Alabama's Beaches

Increase Your Shell Finds

To find more shells on Alabama’s beaches, plan multiple trips to the beach and visit at different times and in various weather conditions, such as after a storm or during low tide. Shelling opportunities can change daily, so this will maximize the diversity of your shell collection.

Practice Responsible Shelling

Please don’t forget that shells you find on our beaches were once homes and safe havens for living creatures. When searching our shores for shells, it's important to practice responsible shelling to protect our local marine life and environment and ensure future generations can enjoy this beloved pastime in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Be sure to follow these three guidelines when shelling.

Choose Uninhabited Shells

When shelling along our beaches, only take those that have washed up onshore and are no longer inhabited.

Keep Shells in the Surf

Please also avoid taking shells out of the surf to help us maintain the ecosystem. and protect our precious marine life.

Collect Moderately

Additionally, avoid collecting large quantities of shells to ensure that they remain available for future visitors and for the beach’s natural processes.

Sand dollars on the shore in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach

Best Places to Find Shells on Alabama's Beaches

Most, if not all, of our beaches are teeming with shells, but these public beaches are touted as favorites by many of our locals, making them ideal beaches with a diverse range of shells.

shells washed onto the shore in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, best beaches for shelling

West Beach at Little Lagoon Pass

Lagoon Pass is a shallow waterway that connects Little Lagoon to the Gulf. A haven for fishermen, shrimpers and more, West Beach at Little Lagoon Pass easily attracts mollusks looking to shed their shells. The distinct ecosystem in this area provides a wide array of shells that are not typically found in other places.

Fort Morgan Beaches

Where the Gulf meets Mobile Bay sits Fort Morgan. This part of the island offers several secluded beaches that are both large and home to a wide array of shells. The historical ambiance and natural beauty make shelling in Fort Morgan a unique experience.

Kids looking for seashells in the sand on Alabama's Beaches

Alabama Point

Located at Perdido Pass Bridge is Alabama Point. This access point offers more than 6,000 feet of expansive beaches, making it an ideal spot for finding shells in Orange Beach. You can explore the expansive area and enjoy a full day of uninterrupted shelling adventures.

Shell Beach

As its name suggests, Shell Beach access just east of Alabama Point is ideal for finding shells along the shore. It’s usually not crowded, which makes it easy to spot shells. The serene environment provides a peaceful Gulf Shores shelling experience.

Hands holding shells collected on Alabama's Beaches

Start Your Shelling Adventure

For more information, stop by our welcome centers to pick up our shelling brochure, which includes a list of 20+ area shells, a detailed map with the top shelling spots on our beaches, and more. At the welcome centers, you can also pick up a shelling bag (while supplies last) to have a safe place to collect and store your shells during your stay.