Q: Hi. My family will be traveling to the Fort Myers area and Naples area in February. I am sure we will be on the lookout for the best locations to do some shelling. Do you recommend any specific areas to go shelling along the west coast? Thanks -- Scott

A: Well, Scott, the shelling on just about any beach along the Gulf coast is pretty good. By asking this question to a nature-oriented magazine, you probably already know you're in for some natural areas for recommendations. And if you've read only a few pages on this site, you know we love state parks.

Here are some sites to look for seashells while you're here:

• Gasparilla Island State Park in Boca Grande northwest of Fort Myers.
  
  
• Lovers Key State Park south of Fort Myers.
  
  
• Tigertail Beach County Park on Marco Island south of Naples.
  
  
• The Perry Tract of J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island west of Fort Myers. Once you're on the island, just find the city beach on Algiers Road and, from the parking area, walk to the left. There is an hourly fee for city beach parking. You won’t see a definite boundary between the city beach and the Perry Tract, but you’ll see refuge signs.

Please note that you're not allowed by law to collect any live seashells. If someone is living inside a shell you find on the beach, then put it back.

To enhance your shelling experience, I suggest picking up a guide to seashells so you can identify those that you find, like Florida's Fabulous Seashells or National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Seashells.

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