Shell Lovers Weekend 2026
Our very first Shell Lovers Weekend was an absolute rousing success! We could not have asked for a better group of shell enthusiasts or more wonderful local partners to help bring this celebration of Sanibel’s shelling heritage to life.
From expert-led beach walks to hands-on artistry, here is a look back at how our guests spent an unforgettable weekend on the coast:
On arrival day, guests had the opportunity to participate in an optional volunteer activity with the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF). After check-in, we hosted a welcome reception followed by Shelling 101 with Sam Ankerson, Executive Director at the Bailey- Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium.
On the first full day of the weekend, attendees enjoyed a Guided Shell Walk with Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium marine educators, Chris Whitt, Jessie Macaluso and Savanna Wilkinson before heading to the museum itself for a private guided tour.
Once wrapped at the museum, the crew headed to meet Sanibel Shellcrafters for a fun, hands-on shell craft.
The evening wrapped with a group dinner in Waterview followed by a presentation by nature photographer Mark Maddox.
On day 2, the group was off with Adventures in Paradise for a half-day cruise to North Captiva to enjoy swimming, snorkeling and, of course, shelling!
Once the cruise made its way back into port, everyone enjoyed a post-lunch ice cream social. Our final event for the weekend was an evening of shell crafting decorating frames and debriefing on the attendees’ favorite parts of the weekend. We finally closed it all out with a conch-blowing contest that had everyone in stitches (it’s harder than it looks!)
A massive thank you to all of our incredible partners who made this event possible: SCCF, the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum, Sanibel Shellcrafters, Mark Maddox, and Adventures in Paradise.
Adding to the excitement right after our weekend of shell-filled fun, the museum’s science director and curator, José Leal, Ph.D., received the prestigious Junonia Award for advancing shell research and education in Southwest Florida, presented by the Lee County VCB.
Keep an eye out in 2027 for your next opportunity to join us for an immersive Shell Lovers Weekend we’re planning for early November! Can’t wait? Our event experts can custom design group experiences just like this for your reunion, your corporate retreat, or even your wedding weekend. To learn more, contact our team today!
