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Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum


TripAdvisor Traveler Rating: 4.0 of 5 stars
TripAdvisor Popularity Index: #4 of 20 attractions in Sanibel Island
Traveler Description: The only one of its kind in America, this museum displays shells and mollusks from around the world.
Familiar with Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum? Write your own description and share what you know with other travelers.
Attraction type: Specialty museum, Other
Activities: Leisure education
Address: 3075 Sanibel-Captiva Road Sanibel Island, FL 33957
Tel: 239 395 2233

Reviews you can trust

[ Date ] [ Rating ]
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4 of 5 stars
fabules3   19 contributions
chicagoland
Jul 23, 2009

When I told my husband I wanted to take our 3 school aged kids to the shell museum, he sort of rolled his eyes. But it was raining and we needed something to occupy our time. We were very pleasantly surprised and learned so much about shells. The kids had fun looking at all the displays. more

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5 of 5 stars
moo2u   6 contributions
Michigan
Jul 21, 2009

We escaped the heat here one day and really enjoyed this small museum. The movies were good too, very informative. The power went out when we were there and they gave us free passes to return and we did! more

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5 of 5 stars
onigetnom   7 contributions
Orlando
Jul 7, 2009

Very informative and educational. Manned by volunteers, who know their shells, and all about them. Very interesting to see what can be found locally, and around the world. Also the home of the worlds largets Horse Conch shell.. Amazing! more

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5 of 5 stars
lstalley   2 contributions
Seattle
Feb 17, 2009

I don't know why anyone who visits Sanibel would want to miss this museum. The shells are beautiful; it shows shells from all over the world. And don't miss the free videos that are shown at intervals throughout the day. more

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2 of 5 stars
HootnHoller   1 contribution
Saint Louis
May 18, 2008

We had a great trip to Sanibel. However, the shell museum was the least interesting attraction. There are few exhibits. I found more interesting local shells, fossils, and other artifacts at "Neptunes Treasures" off Periwinkle. They have a wide inventory of artifacts such as fossilized shark teeth, exotic shells, antique guns, etc. You don't have to buy anything to have... more

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4 of 5 stars
wildcorndogs   25 contributions
Lexington,Ky
Aug 6, 2007

My husband and I visited the shell museum during our vacation in July. The video shown there was actually quite informative, but I don't think I would expect small children to be able to sit quietly through the whole thing. We enjoyed it though, and really liked looking at all of the different shells from around the world. Some people... more

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3 of 5 stars
Heidi525   6 contributions
Southeastern US
Jul 15, 2007
1/1 found this review helpful

You *will* learn a lot about shells and will be able to identify what you find on the beach after visiting the museum. Our family of four (Mom, Dad, and two elementary school age kids) visited the shell museum on a very hot afternoon. We started off with the 30 minute movie, which was made by a local resident for... more

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2 of 5 stars
Kitties102   41 contributions
Peoria, IL
May 28, 2007
3/3 found this review helpful

My boyfriend and I attended to shell museum during a recent trip to the island this May. The museum was about what you'd expect--not that exciting, but not a complete waste of time. Basically there is a decent sized exhibit hall with a lot of cases featuring different shells---shells from sanibel and also from around the world. There are also... more

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5 of 5 stars
Laurel2   33 contributions
Akron, Ohio
May 3, 2007
1/1 found this review helpful

If you roll your eyes at the thought of a shell museum you'll be pleasantly surprised at this attraction. From the friendly knowledgable volunteers, to the shell displays and to top it off a superb DVD (amazing production quality and content) by a local, this place is worth seeing, even if it's not a rainy day. On your way out... more

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4 of 5 stars
Flbeachbumnut   11 contributions
Fort Myers Beach, Florida
Apr 13, 2007

My husband and I really enjoyed this Museum. Loved seeing all the different kinds of shells and enjoyed the video very much. Amazing valentines! more

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Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum Address

3075 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel Island, FL 33957
Tel: 239 395 2233