Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum

3075 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel, Florida

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3075 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel, Florida
239-395-2233
Once the museum reopens in mid-July 2019, hours will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum, 3075 Sanibel-Captiva Road, is devoted to — yes, you guessed it — all things shells. Some of its exhibits include:

  • Shells of Sanibel and Captiva
  • Shells from around the world
  • Record-breaking sized shells 
  • Shells in architecture, art and human history
  • Sailors' Valentines
  • There also is a children's learning lab with displays, shell games and live tank demonstrations. Read more about the exhibits on the Shell Museum website.

Want to get up close and personal with some of the most beautiful shells in the world, which are nestled on Sanibel's beaches? Take a guided beach walk with museum staff. They are available throughout the year.

There are more mollusks in the ocean than any other kind of animal, and in 2020, a new aquarium just for mollusks, which never has been created before, according to museum officials, will give visitors an unobstructed view of how these animals live.

For information about memberships, visit shellmuseum.org or call 239-395-2233.

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