The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum, Florida, United States
4.5 (1.659 reviews) Monday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent Ranking #5 in Southwest Gulf Coast Speciality Museums
More Than I Expected
The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum is the only museum in the U.S. devoted entirely to shells and mollusks, and one of the best things to do on Sanibel Island. It features more than 30 engaging exhibits of stunning shells, showcasing some of the largest and rarest shell specimens in the world, including the goliath conch, lightning whelk and Atlantic trumpet triton, as well as common Southwest Florida shells, fossil shells and more. New in March 2020, “Beyond Shells: The Mysterious World of Mollusks” adds the live animals that create shells to its must-see experiences. New aquariums include live octopuses, giant clams, nautilus, nudibranchs and gastropods, and two 15-foot-long touch tanks let young visitors get their hands wet. For a perfect Sanibel experience, fun daily beach walks can be reserved, and the nonprofit museum’s scientists also conduct research with local mollusk species.
Address
3075 Sanibel Captiva Rd, Sanibel Island, FL 33957-3111
Mobile
Website
http://www.shellmuseum.org/
Working hours
Monday : 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday : 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday : 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday : 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday : 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday : 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday : 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Current local date and time now
Monday, May 13, 2024, 8:55
User Ratings
4.5 based on (1.659 reviews)
Reviews
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5Matthew C 5:00 PM Oct 24, 2021
More Than I Expected
I was impressed by all this museum had to offer. I was expecting a small museum with maybe 2 or 3 rooms. But this museum was good sized and I easily spent 90 minutes there. I probably could have spent longer if I had more time. There were many exhibits that talk about the different types of shells around the world and also talk about how and why sea creatures have shells. There were some interactive exhibits that are good for kids. I would highly recommend this museum if you are visiting Sanibel or anywhere in southwest Florida!
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4podrozniczka60 5:00 PM Feb 5, 2022
For families with kids or adults with niche interest in shells
The museum was surprisingly open on Christmas. Small but interesting for those with preexistent passion for shells. They do cater to young kids. Adult tickets are overpriced at $15 but the youngest kids are admitted for free. Almost everywhere on Sanibel it seems like you have to pay for the parking but shell museum has a free parking.
