People fishing at the Little Lagoon pass
Beaches

Shelling in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach

Look for shells at Alabama Point and Shell Beach by the Perdido Pass bridge, the Gulf State Park Pavilion, Little Lagoon Pass and the quiet Fort Morgan beaches. Go early in the morning, at low tide or after rough weather. Take only empty shells that washed up, stay off the dunes, and leave turtle nests alone from May through October.

Where to look
Checked November 5, 20265 spotsEmpty shells only

Little Lagoon Pass, Gulf Shores, Alabama · Photo: Knowledgemattersnow / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credits

Where to look

Five beaches for shells

Alabama's beaches run 32 miles through Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan. Three of these five spots are state park beaches with a $15 day parking fee.

  • Alabama Point

    WhyAt the Perdido Pass bridge, more than 6,000 feet of shorelineParkingGulf State Park lot, $15 a day

  • Shell Beach

    WhyEast of the Perdido Pass bridge, at the east end of the Gulf State Park beaches; usually uncrowdedParkingGulf State Park lot, $15 a day

  • Gulf State Park Pavilion

    Why2.5 miles of open beach and plenty of parkingParkingGulf State Park lot, $15 a day

  • West Beach at Little Lagoon Pass

    WhyA shallow pass between Little Lagoon and the Gulf where mollusks and crabs gather; shells turn up here that are rare elsewhereParkingLagoon Pass Park; no parking after 2 am

  • Fort Morgan beaches

    WhyLarge, quiet beaches where the Gulf meets Mobile Bay, with a wide mix of shellsParkingBon Secour refuge beach access, sunrise to sunset; leave the refuge's shells where they are

Sources: Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism: shelling, Gulf State Park beaches.

All beaches and access points

When

Early, at low tide, after a storm

The tide washes up new shells every day, so go as the sun comes up. Low tide is good too, and so are the days after rough water, a storm or strong wind. Shelling works in every season.

Rough water can also mean red flags. Check the beach flags before you wade in, especially near the passes.

Beach flags and safety

What you'll find

Fifteen shells you'll see on the sand

Most were once homes to clams, scallops, mussels and oysters.

Source: Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism: shelling tips

Angel wing
Long, thin and white with ridges, shaped like a wing
Ark clam
Small, ridged and heart-shaped, white or gray
Ballast stones
Rounded stones once used to steady ships, polished by the waves
Common egg cockle
Round with deep ribs, white or yellow
Florida fighting conch
A thick shell, often bright orange or pink
Coquina clam
Small and pastel-colored, often in clusters
Lettered olive
Smooth, shiny and long, cream with brown markings
Mermaid's purse
The leathery egg case of a skate or shark
Moon snail
Round, smooth and glossy, with a spiral
Oyster drill
Small, long and rough; it preys on oysters
Oyster
Irregular and rough-ridged, often in clusters
Sand dollar
Flat and round, with a star pattern
Scallop
Fan-shaped with ridges, in orange, red or white
Slipper snail
Flat underneath, smooth and glossy
Surf clam
Large, thick and smooth, white or gray
What to bring

A bag, a rake and water shoes

Sources: shelling, Welcome Center

A bag or bucket
A free mesh shelling bag comes with a shelling brochure and map at the Alabama's Beaches Welcome Center, while supplies last
Welcome Center
23685 Perdido Beach Blvd, Orange Beach; daily 9 am–5 pm
Also pack
Sunscreen, water shoes, a small rake and a guide for identifying shells
What you can take

Empty shells, dunes and turtle nests

Take only empty shells that washed up, and leave anything still alive where it is. Questions go to Alabama Marine Resources, 251-968-7576.

Live shells and animals
Take only empty shells that washed up, none from the surf, and not in large numbers. Collecting protected species is banned under federal law
Dunes
Don't walk on them; use the boardwalks and marked paths
Sea turtle nesting season
May 1 to October 31
Nests and tracks
Don't disturb them, and keep well back from a nesting sea turtle: 50 yards is the federal viewing guideline
At night
No flash photography; turn off patio lights and shade lights facing the beach; fill holes and take your gear
Bon Secour Wildlife Refuge
Federal refuge rules ban removing public property without permission; leave shells in the refuge unless staff say otherwise, 251-540-7720
Sea turtle hotline
1-866-732-8878

Sources: Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism, Gulf Shores beach rules, Orange Beach city code § 30-158, Share the Beach, NOAA marine life viewing guidelines, 50 CFR § 27.61.

All beach rules

Stay nearby

Stay close to the shelling beaches

Near the Gulf State Park Pavilion and Alabama Point, for a walk at first light.

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