Whether you're just visiting Florida or have lived here your whole life, beach combing is a common occurrence with so many places close by to search for shells. It can be very difficult to find that “perfect” shell to bring home and add to your existing collection, but did you know there's a place you can go to see all kinds of perfect shells and marine life?
Let us introduce you to the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium!
<div id="c3be0912bb716eee4ca644c1dfc4ecde4"></div>What is the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium?
The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium is located on Sanibel Island, one of the best shelling destinations in the world! The museum officially opened in 1995, and since then, its collection of shells has grown to nearly 600,000 specimens, one of the largest collections of its kind.
Fast forward to 2022, where the museum received accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Unfortunately, also within that year, the museum was hit by Hurricane Ian. With damage to their building, the museum decided to undertake a redesign and reinstallation of the shell exhibit.
If you love shells and detailed aspects of the ocean, this is a lovely day trip date to explore unique aspects of the deep blue sea!
What is there to do at the museum?
Great Hall of Shells
Phase 1 of the new exhibit features select shells from the museum's enormous collection, with different shapes, colors, and evolution patterns from around the globe. In phase 2 of the exhibit renovation, there are exhibits of specific Southwest Florida shells based on record size, fossils, culture, conservation, and environmental impact. All of this is part of the Great Hall of Shells.
While you can't take any of these particular shells home with you, the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium's Great Hall of Shells is arguably one of the best in the country. From pinkie nail size to palm size, and beyond, we guarantee they have shells on display that you've never seen before!
Living Gallery of Aquariums and Marine Life
Live gallery of aquariums and marine life includes just about 60 species of mollusks and other animals, see a Giant Pacific Octopus, Two-Spot Octopus, Giant Clam, Queen Conch, and more! There are two large touch pools with warm water and cold-water species, including Red Abalone, California Sea Hare, Lewis Moon Snails, and many more.
Currently the Giant Pacific Octopus exhibit is closed as they are preparing the aquarium for the addition of a new resident.
There are also gallery talks included in your ticket to the museum. Those talks include the Keeper Chats at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., during which aquarists reveal fun facts about marine life on exhibit, and the Touch Pool Talk at 3:30p.m., where the educators share stories about the biology and behavior of mollusks.
Special Exhibitions
Currently on view, you can find multiple special exhibits that feature and educate guests about many specimens in the museum's permanent collection.
Current Exhibitions:
A Wondrous Phenomenon: Truth and Legend of the Giant Squid (beginning December 12, 2025)
A Wondrous Phenomenon spotlights what we know about biology about the Giant Squid, including its size, diet, habitat, and geographic distribution, and explores how the giant Squid has inspired the sea monster from famous tales.
Paradise Found: Seashells of the Caribbean (beginning December 12, 2025)
The Paradise Found exhibit is a selection of some of the finest Caribbean shells from the Museum’s permanent collection! From the well-known to the rare, this exhibit presents specimens from the rich biodiversity of the Caribbean Sea.
Brilliant Colors of the Sea: Nudibranchs and Their Relatives
Brilliant Colors of the Sea features 21 underwater photographs taken by Scott Johnson and Gabriel Jensen in the South Pacific and South Florida and explores the relationship between color and defense mechanisms for nudibranchs, which are soft-bodied marine gastropod mollusks, and other subjects.
Looking for something to take home from your adventures?
The Bailey Matthew National Shell Museum & Aquarium has an on-site store with great shell-themed jewelry, clothing, decor, educational books and toys, and original artwork by local artists.
The store is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day the museum is open. You can also browse their online store here.
They also have an online catalogue of their Southwest Florida Shell Guide and Mollusk Collection available for viewing online.
Where is the Shell Museum located?
3075 Sanibel Captiva Road, Sanibel, FL 33957
Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
The museum will be open on every third Thursday of the month in 2026 until 7:30 p.m.
Included in the price of admission are daily gallery talks, including Keeper Chats at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., and Touch Pool Talks at 3:30 p.m.
Museum Admission:
Adults (18+), $25
Seniors ($65+), teachers, first responders, and veterans, $20
Youth (12-17), students, $15
Child (5-11), $10
Museum members, children under 5, active military, Free
Museum parking is free.
Make it a day-date: Turn the shell museum into an all-day date in Sanibel with our guide to all the best things to do!