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All 38 Sanibel Island Attractions »

Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum

3075 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel Island, FL 33957
239 395 2233
4.5 of 5 stars 125 Reviews
Type: Specialty Museums
Activities: Leisure education
Description: The only one of its kind in America, this museum displays shells and mollusks from around the world.
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125 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
    75
    35
    9
    5
    1
Date Rating
Swansea, Illinois
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 22, 2012 NEW

If you have never been here and are at all interested in shells / ocean life, you must visit! Yes - it is a museum and can be a bit "too educational" but it is worth the admission price. And the gift shop is neat. I don't know if I would stop for a second visit in the next couple... More

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MN
Contributor
15 reviews 15 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
11 helpful votes 11 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 22, 2012 NEW

The staff and volunteers are excellent. Don't miss the movies as they provide some very helpful information. More

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Punta Gorda, Florida
Contributor
11 reviews 11 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
4 of 5 stars Reviewed May 20, 2012

So many wonders to behold in the shell world. Movies, mentors to talk with, beautiful displays and interactive exhibits. I enjoyed my day there very much. More

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Maryville, Tennessee
Contributor
16 reviews 16 reviews
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 19, 2012

This museum is a must-see for anyone interested in shelling. The two thirty-minute films explain the lives of shell-inhabiting creatures, and the exhibits show not only the natural history of shellfish, but also the human uses of them through history. More

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Boulder
Senior Reviewer
10 reviews 10 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 17, 2012

The videos were very educational. The shells on display were magical. I learned so much about sea life that I better appreciated all of the shells on the beach. More

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Sarasota, Florida
Senior Contributor
36 reviews 36 reviews
Reviews in 13 cities Reviews in 13 cities
62 helpful votes 62 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 17, 2012

This is a great place to go to when on Sanibel Island. It is so educational and we learned so much. I would recommend it to families and any one with an interest in seashells. The displays are so interesting and it is a must stop! More

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shreveport
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
4 of 5 stars Reviewed May 11, 2012

Beautiful displays and very informative. However, it does get a little too much because there is just so much you can tell me about them . I just really liked to look! Go and spend an hour. More

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Nutley, New Jersey
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 8, 2012

Lots to see, lots to learn. Also, great air conditioning! More

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Austin, Texas
Senior Contributor
26 reviews 26 reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
10 helpful votes 10 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 7, 2012

Everyone was very friendly and helpful in this small museum. The exhibits are well done, and they have quite an impressive collection of shells. For the kids there is a shell scavenger hunt, and the prize is a coloring book, shell, pencil and bracelet. We did the museum in about 30 minutes, however we did not watch the two movies... More

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Chattanooga, Tennessee
Senior Reviewer
10 reviews 10 reviews
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
4 of 5 stars Reviewed May 4, 2012

It was hot as blazes outside, so my husband and I decided to take a trip over to this museum. Altogether it was educational, if a bit dry. Some of the specimens are quite incredible, but the exhibits do require a LOT of reading; I wish there were more interactive ones! At $9 per adult, it was a bit expensive... More

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