Top Tips for Shelling
Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
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 of Mexico, a body of saltwater brimming with an immense array of mollusks. Because of this, you’re likely to find and collect hundreds of shells 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 While Shelling?
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.
Below are some common shells found on Alabama’s beaches:
The Best Time for Shelling in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
The prime time to go shelling on the Alabama Gulf Coast is just as the sun rises early in the morning. Other great times are when the tide is low or following a period of rough waters that have moved shells up onto the shore. 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.
Best Places to Find Shells Along The Alabama Gulf Coast
Most, if not all, of our beaches are teeming with a bounty of shells. But these five public beaches are touted as favorites by many of our locals.
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 shelling in Orange Beach.
Shell Beach: As its name suggests, this public 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.
West Beach at Little Lagoon Pass: Lagoon Pass is a shallow waterway that connects Little Lagoon to the Gulf of Mexico. A haven for fishermen, shrimpers and more, this area easily attracts mollusks looking to shed their shells.
Gulf State Park Beach: Another popular location with spacious beaches is Gulf State Park. Because of its size, this beach is typically not crowded, so you can easily search for shells from sunup until sundown.
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.
Practice Responsible Shelling
Please don’t forget that shells were once homes and safe havens for living animals. When shelling along our beaches, only take those that have washed up onshore and are no longer inhabited. Please also avoid taking shells out of the surf to help us maintain the ecosystem and protect our precious marine life.
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.
Discover more fun outdoor activities on Alabama’s beautiful beaches!
