Florida’s State Parks are a magnificent place to go beachcombing. You can find a wide array of shells, sea beans, sea glass and other items that can be converted into jewelry, artwork and home décor. Here’s a rundown on five of the state’s best:
1. Amelia Island State Park
One of my favorite places to go shelling is the Amelia Island State Park. The area is beautiful, laid back and often devoid of crowds. The sand is so clean and you can find a large assortment of shells and beach glass, especially during hurricane season when the waters tend to be more turbulent at times. Some of my favorites are the periwinkle and scallop shells. It is located along State Road A1A just south of Fernandina Beach. It opens daily from 8 a.m. until sunset and admission is $2 per person.
2. Little Talbot Island State Park
Little Talbot Island State Park is located on Heckscher Drive just northeast of Jacksonville. It features five miles of beach and is a superlative place for picking up scallop shells and periwinkles. Admission fees range from $2 for bicyclists up to $5 for multi-passenger vehicles. It opens daily at 8 a.m.
3. Big Talbot Island State Park
Big Talbot Island State Park is located north of Little Talbot Island State Park. The beach is a good place to score oyster shells, clam shells and beach glass. It opens every day from 8 a.m. until sunset. You may expect to pay an access fee to enter the picnic area as well as the fishing pier and the boat launch.
4. North Peninsula State Park
Have you ever run across a sea bean while shelling? There’s a good chance that you’ll find a few at the North Peninsula State Park off State Road A1A North in Flagler Beach. Sea beans are funky looking and tend to be more plentiful during hurricane season. Some folks like to eat sea beans but I am not one of them. If you polish the sea beans up, they make wonderful pieces of jewelry and look great when placed inside decorative glass containers. The park is open daily and admission is free.
5. Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area
The Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area at Flagler Beach is another exceptional place to find sea beans. You can also find small bits of drift wood, periwinkles, scallop shells and clam shells. It opens daily and admission fees range from $2 to $5. There is a day shower area where you can rinse off your beachcombing finds and a nice picnic area where you can enjoy some lunch after your walk.
Killeen Gonzalez enjoys the outdoors and has traveled extensively.
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