Longboat Key's position on the Gulf Coast, with open water to the west and the tidal mixing of Longboat Pass to the north, produces a reliable and varied selection of shells. Here is what you are likely to find, and how to recognise it.
Lightning Whelk
Florida's state shell, and one of the most satisfying finds on any Gulf beach. A large, heavy spiral shell with a pointed spire and distinctive brown zigzag markings on a cream or white background. Unlike most spiralled shells, the lightning whelk opens to the left. They range from a few inches to over a foot in large specimens. The live animal is a predatory snail that feeds on clams and oysters; only collect empty shells.
Horse Conch
Florida's state saltwater shell and the largest univalve shell in North American waters — adults can reach two feet in length, though beach specimens are usually smaller. Orange-pink inside with a rough, knobbed exterior that varies from grey to brown. Juveniles are bright orange all over. A substantial find.
Fighting Conch
Smaller and more common than the horse conch, with a spiky outer lip and a rich orange or reddish-brown interior. Live fighting conchs are active and will right themselves if turned over — a good way to check whether the animal is still present before collecting.
Olive Shell
Smooth, glossy, and cylindrical, with a narrow aperture and subtle patterning in brown, tan, and cream. Lettered olives — marked with fine brown hieroglyph-like lines — are the most common variety on Longboat Key. They live just below the sand surface in shallow water and are often found at the tide line after storms.
Sand Dollar
Flat, circular, and covered in fine spines when alive. Living sand dollars are dark grey-green or purple; the bleached white specimens familiar from gift shops are long dead. You'll find them in the shallow water just off the beach at low tide. Only empty, fully white specimens may be collected — live sand dollars are protected under Florida law.
Angel Wing
Elongated, ribbed, and pure white, shaped like a narrow pair of wings. These are the shells of a burrowing clam that lives deep in muddy sand. Complete pairs are rare; finding both halves intact is considered good luck by regulars.
Tulip Shell
A graceful, medium-sized shell with a smooth surface and fine brown or orange spiral markings. True tulips and banded tulips are both common. They are among the most photogenic shells on the Gulf Coast.
Scallop
The fan-shaped shells of bay scallops and calico scallops wash up in quantity after storms. Their ribbed surface and symmetrical form make them immediately recognisable. Coloration varies from white to orange, purple, and deep brown depending on species and age.
Shark Eye (Moon Snail)
A smooth, round shell with a distinctive dark spiral centre that gives it the appearance of an eye. Grey or tan on the outside, deep brown inside. Moon snails are active predators that drill through other shells to reach the animal within — the neat round holes you sometimes find in other shells are their work.