Last Updated on April 12, 2024
Are you looking for the best places to find sand dollars in Florida? Well, you’ve come to the right place.
Did you know that sand dollars are a species of sea urchins? They got their name due to their bleach skeleton resembling old American and Spanish dollar coins.
Live sand dollars play an important role in the marine ecosystem. With an average lifespan of about ten years, they are often red or purple in appearance and spend their time burrowing along the ocean’s floor to feed on microscopic algae and bacteria.
These are our recommendations on the best beaches to find sand dollars in Florida. While sand dollars are plentiful along the Gulf Coast of Florida, the good news is that there are beaches all over the Sunshine State where you can find them.
Table of contents
- Sand Dollar Search Essentials
- Sanibel Island – Sanibel, FL
- Clearwater Beach – Clearwater, FL
- Panama City Beach – Panama City Beach, FL
- Little Talbot Island State Park – Jacksonville, FL
- Tigertail Beach – Marco Island, FL
- Shell Key Preserve – Tierra Verde, FL
- Cedar Key – Cedar Key, FL
- Daytona Beach – Daytona Beach, FL
- Additional Places to Find Sand Dollars in Florida
- Captiva Island – Captiva, FL
- Fernandina Beach – Fernandina Beach, FL
- Bean Point Beach – Anna Maria Island, FL
- Jacksonville Beach – Jacksonville, FL
- Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge – Naples, FL
- South Beach – Marco Island, FL
- Honeymoon Island State Park – Dunedin, FL
- Caladesi Island State Park – Dunedin, FL
- Amelia Island State Park – Jacksonville, FL
- Fort Myers Beach – Fort Myers Beach, FL
- Venice Beach – Venice, FL
- St. Augustine Beach – St. Augustine Beach, FL
- Pensacola Beach – Pensacola Beach, FL
Sand Dollar Search Essentials
Before we start our search for sand dollars, it is vital to know the rules and regulations for collecting them and some tips on finding them.
Is it legal to collect sand dollars?
Collecting sand dollars falls under the umbrella of collecting sea shells, also known as shelling. In the State of Florida, shelling is allowed if there is no living organism in the sea shell.
When a living organism is in the shell, you MUST have a Florida recreational saltwater fishing license to collect it legally.
If you have a fishing license, you will still want to verify local regulations, as some counties have other limits and restrictions.
With that in mind, collecting a living sand dollar from Florida beaches is illegal.
How can you tell if a sand dollar is alive?
Since you cannot take live sand dollars away from their natural habitat, it is crucial to identify the differences between a live sand dollar and a dead one.
Live sand dollars can be seen in shallow waters. They are usually red or purple and covered with tiny bristles that give them a fuzzy appearance.
The sand dollars that you can collect are no longer living. Here are some facts to keep in mind:
- After a sand dollar dies, it loses its fuzzy bristles and darker exterior, taking on a smooth, bleached appearance.
- Sand dollars cannot survive more than a few minutes if they are away from water.
- Turn the sand dollar over and gently tap its centipede feet when in doubt.
- If the feet move, it is still alive and should be returned to the water immediately.
When is the best time and place to collect sand dollars?
Usually, the best time to collect sand dollars will be in the early morning hours. The low tide brings sand dollars to the shoreline, making it the best place to find them on the beach.
Another good time to collect sand dollars is after a storm.
What should I bring with me?
Before you head to the beach, make sure that you bring some essentials with you for collecting sand dollars.
We suggest bringing the following:
- A small bucket or mesh bag to hold your finds
- A scoop or shovel, in case you want to dig
- Water shoes/sandals to protect your feet from shells
- Sunscreen
- A hat
- Drinking water
How do I clean sand dollars?
Once you take your collected sand dollars home, here are suggested steps to take:
- Clean them by soaking them in fresh water in a flat dish.
- After rinsing them, soak them for a few minutes in a solution of 1/3 bleach and 2/3 water.
- Leave sand dollars to dry flat, preferably in direct sunlight.
- Once dry, you can harden and glaze them with a 50/50 water and white glue solution.
- A craft sealer like Mod Podge also works great.
Sanibel Island – Sanibel, FL
Sanibel Island is one of the best spots for finding sand dollars in Florida. Shell collectors know that the beaches of Sanibel have tons of different types of shells, including sand dollars, scallop shells, and conch shells.
Due to its unique orientation, Sanibel has a long south-facing shore that collects shells from the Gulf of Mexico. Because the waters are so gentle, sand dollars and other beautiful shells often arrive on the beach completely intact.
Bowman’s Beach and Tarpon Bay Beach are two beaches in particular known for having an abundance of sand dollars, making them great destinations to put on your bucket list.
Almost any part of the island’s south-facing shoreline promises a variety of treasures ready to be gathered.
Sanibel is also a popular Southwest Florida vacation destination with great options if you want to do something after shell collecting.
There is a wildlife refuge with hiking trails and paddling options and an excellent selection of restaurants and cafes to enjoy.
Check out our Sanibel Island Ultimate Trip Guide – Updated 2023
Clearwater Beach – Clearwater, FL
Clearwater Beach is another great place to find sand dollars. The area is known for its beautiful sunsets but beginning your collection in the morning is pertinent.
Mornings mean quieter beaches. Plus, the low tide is ideal for shelling.
Sand Key Park is a fantastic spot for finding sand dollars. It’s not far from Pier 60 and the main Clearwater Beach area, but you’d never know it.
This peaceful park is often lined with shells – keep your eyes peeled for sand dollars!
In addition, you can book shelling excursions from Clearwater, which take you to sand bars and secluded islands via boat. This fun option often leads to unique shells and a plentiful collection of sand dollars.
Don’t miss 18 Best Things to Do in Clearwater Beach
Panama City Beach – Panama City Beach, FL
Panama City Beach is a popular Florida Panhandle destination known for its white-sand beaches (and Goofy Golf). You can find sand dollars and various other shells along the shoreline, especially early in the day.
If you are an avid shell collector, you’ll want to travel to Shell Island. Shell Island is an undeveloped, natural beach area in PCB that can be accessed by boat or ferry.
The lesser-visited and scenic shoreline of Shell Island is a perfect spot for finding sand dollars.
As a cool bonus, you may even see bottlenose dolphins swimming in the distance.
Little Talbot Island State Park – Jacksonville, FL
Little Talbot Island State Park is an excellent place to find sand dollars in Northeast Florida.
The park is located 17 miles northeast of Jacksonville along part of Jacksonville’s coastline. These beaches are perfect for shelling.
This destination is a must-visit during low tide. In addition to sand dollars, you can often find clams, scallops, shark teeth, and other cool shells.
While you are there, Little Talbot Island offers plenty of other things to do, such as hiking and kayaking.
Between pristine beaches and forest hammocks, there are a variety of native environments to explore within this undeveloped barrier island.
While you’re in the area, see the Top 5 Things to Do in Downtown Jacksonville and 8 Top Things To Do on Amelia Island.
Tigertail Beach – Marco Island, FL
Tigertail Beach is one of Southwest Florida’s best places for collecting sand dollars. The white sand beaches and gentle Gulf waters create a perfect environment for shells to arrive in pristine condition.
At Tigertail Beach, beachcombers can find sand dollars, conch shells, and scallops, amongst other cool shells.
If you are new to shelling or are looking for a fun group experience, consider booking a shelling tour. The tours take visitors to the nearby Ten Thousand Islands via boat for fascinating adventures led by experienced guides.
Shell Key Preserve – Tierra Verde, FL
Shell Key Preserve is an undeveloped barrier island south of St. Pete Beach. You can access the island by taking the Shell Key Shuttle, a kayak, or your own boat.
As the name suggests, Shell Key Preserve is a top-tier shelling destination. The preserve is also a sanctuary for wildlife, native and migrating birds, and other animals.
Once there, you can comb the beach for scallops, conches, and sand dollars. Enjoy the unspoiled piece of Florida’s Gulf Coast while adding to your shell collection.
Don’t miss Shell Key: Wait, Wait, We Found Another One! and 10 Authentic Things to Do in St. Petersburg & St. Pete Beach
Cedar Key – Cedar Key, FL
Cedar Key is another great area in Florida for finding sand dollars. The charming small island city is on the Gulf Coast, less than 60 miles southwest of Gainesville.
The Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge offers tons of remote spots to check out if you are on the hunt for sand dollars.
Consider renting a kayak for your shelling adventure, allowing you to access different islands independently.
Snake Key is a fantastic island to explore for sand dollars. You can often find an abundance of intact sand dollars along the shore of this cool North Florida gem – just make sure to come prepared with plenty of drinking water and sunscreen.
Check out Authentic Cedar Key – Old Florida Charm
Daytona Beach – Daytona Beach, FL
Head over to Volusia County for another great spot for sand dollar collecting. Daytona Beach is among the best places along Florida’s Atlantic Coast to find sand dollars.
There is plenty of shoreline to explore in Daytona – 23 miles, to be exact. Bring a bucket for your collection and stroll along the beaches in search of sand dollars, sea glass, and maybe even shark teeth.
In addition to collecting sand dollars, Daytona offers a lot of different things to do. The town is home to museums and a large selection of retail and dining options.
Check out A Visit to Daytona Beach
Additional Places to Find Sand Dollars in Florida
Captiva Island – Captiva, FL
Fernandina Beach – Fernandina Beach, FL
Bean Point Beach – Anna Maria Island, FL
Jacksonville Beach – Jacksonville, FL
Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge – Naples, FL
South Beach – Marco Island, FL
Honeymoon Island State Park – Dunedin, FL
Caladesi Island State Park – Dunedin, FL
Amelia Island State Park – Jacksonville, FL
Fort Myers Beach – Fort Myers Beach, FL
Venice Beach – Venice, FL
St. Augustine Beach – St. Augustine Beach, FL
Pensacola Beach – Pensacola Beach, FL
If you enjoyed this article about the best places to find sand dollars in Florida and are looking for a few other recommendations, check out these suggestions:
How could you leave pensacola beach off of this list? There are 10’s of 1000’s right below the pier and to the west alone and the beaches are always full of their fragments.