Must Do Naples Marco Island Winter/Spring 2018 visitor guide
At Must Do Visitor Guides we believe the best experiences in life are better when shared, and so we do. Inside this Naples Summer/Fall 2017 issue, you will find over one hundred well-researched and carefully curated standout things to do so you can make the most of your visit. Everything from major attractions to awe-inspiring tours or family activities conveniently arranged in our Top 10 directories. Our dining and nightlife recommendations take the guesswork out of where to find a great meal or drink. You can make your experience here even more spectacular with our valuable deals and savings.
At Must Do Visitor Guides we believe the best experiences in life are better when shared, and so we do. Inside this Naples Summer/Fall 2017 issue, you will find over one hundred well-researched and carefully curated standout things to do so you can make the most of your visit. Everything from major attractions to awe-inspiring tours or family activities conveniently arranged in our Top 10 directories. Our dining and nightlife recommendations take the guesswork out of where to find a great meal or drink. You can make your experience here even more spectacular with our valuable deals and savings.
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JENNIFER BRINKMAN<br />
Shelling in<br />
<strong>Naples</strong> and <strong>Marco</strong> <strong>Island</strong><br />
By: Gillian Birch<br />
The beaches around <strong>Naples</strong>, <strong>Marco</strong><br />
<strong>Island</strong>, and the 10,000 <strong>Island</strong>s provide<br />
some of the best shelling opportunities<br />
in the USA, attracting shell enthusiasts<br />
from all over the world. Sugar-white<br />
sandy beaches are bordered by the<br />
clear shallow waters of the Gulf of<br />
Mexico where gentle waves regularly<br />
deposit some amazing seashells onto<br />
the shore.<br />
Expect to find lion’s paws, moon<br />
shells, coquinas, clams, cockles, limpets,<br />
cones, murexes, shapely lightning<br />
whelks, pointed fighting conchs, and<br />
ridged scallops, just some of the 400<br />
shell species found around <strong>Naples</strong> and <strong>Marco</strong> <strong>Island</strong>. In addition to beautiful shells, you may be lucky enough to find dried<br />
starfish, sea urchins, armored horseshoe crab shells, and whole sand dollars just waiting to be discovered.<br />
Shelling <strong>Do</strong>s and <strong>Do</strong>n’ts<br />
Take a stroll along the tideline with a bucket or bag and you are likely to find all types and sizes of pretty shells. If you are<br />
serious about shelling, then you may want to invest in a shell identifying card or book, a net bag, and a scoop for uncovering<br />
semi-buried shells. You’ll also need sun lotion and a hat to avoid sunburn as you will quickly lose track of time as you move<br />
from one captivating seashell to the next, hunting for treasures.<br />
You need to inspect each shell before dropping into your bag as it is<br />
illegal to take live shells from the beach. You can clearly see if there is an<br />
inhabitant in the shell. If so, just return it to the water, even if you found<br />
it above the waterline. If you find a sand dollar, turn it over and make<br />
sure it does not have tiny feelers on the underside that move when<br />
touched.<br />
Tips for Top Shelling<br />
Low tide is the time to find the best shells and the lowest tides are when<br />
there is a full moon or a new moon. You will also find more shells cast<br />
ashore after a storm. Quieter beaches naturally provide better pickings<br />
for discerning shell collectors. Clam Pass Park, <strong>Naples</strong> is reached by<br />
a boardwalk and has excellent shelling. Another hidden gem for shell<br />
collecting is Barefoot Beach Preserve in North <strong>Naples</strong>.<br />
<strong>Marco</strong> <strong>Island</strong> is famous for its shelling, particularly on South Beach or<br />
at the north end of Tigertail Beach, which becomes a shell-covered<br />
spit. For the ultimate shelling, charter a boat or take a shelling boat trip<br />
to Keewaydin <strong>Island</strong>, Cape Romano at the tip of 10,000 <strong>Island</strong>s, or<br />
some of the uninhabited cays just offshore. You can wade ankle-deep<br />
JENNIFER BRINKMAN<br />
MARY CAROL FITZGERALD<br />
Shelling in<br />
<strong>Naples</strong> and <strong>Marco</strong> <strong>Island</strong> (continued)<br />
HB’s On The Gulf,<br />
<strong>Naples</strong>’ only beachfront<br />
restaurant, featuring fresh<br />
regional seafood and<br />
delicious steaks. Open<br />
daily from 11:30 am for<br />
lunch and dinner, call<br />
239.435.4347.<br />
GET READY TO PLAY!<br />
YOU DON’T HAVE TO STAY TO PLAY.<br />
From golf to spa to dining, our guests love the amenities found at our<br />
125-acre beachfront resort, but you can enjoy them too.<br />
Our new championship golf<br />
course has been dramatically<br />
renovated by globally<br />
acclaimed course designer<br />
Jack Nicklaus in collaboration<br />
with accomplished architect<br />
John Sanford. For tee times,<br />
call 239.435.2475.<br />
NAPLESBEACHHOTEL.COM<br />
through piles of shells and find some splendid specimens to<br />
take home.<br />
You will notice that your shells look beautiful when wet, but<br />
by the time you reach home they are dull and matte. Soak<br />
the shells for a few hours in a 50:50 solution of bleach to<br />
kill any bacteria then rinse and inspect each shell. Remove<br />
barnacles or debris with an old toothbrush or toothpick.<br />
To restore natural color and shine, wipe the shells with<br />
baby oil or coat with satin varnish. Sand dollars can be<br />
strengthened by painting them with a coating of white<br />
glue and water and leaving to dry and harden. Now you<br />
can put your treasures out on display, singly or in a jar, or<br />
set them aside for a craft project.<br />
There are plenty of creative ideas for conchologists (seashell<br />
collectors) on the internet. You can make shell animals,<br />
decorate box lids and picture frames, use in jewelry-making, add to potpourri, use as candle holders, add an airplant,<br />
glue to toothpicks for spearing hors d’oeuvres, or string together as a delightful wind chime. Who knows, your shelling in<br />
<strong>Naples</strong> and <strong>Marco</strong> <strong>Island</strong> could inspire a whole new hobby!<br />
The Sunset Bar & Grill<br />
features live entertainment<br />
Southwest Florida’s best<br />
sunset views, while HB’s on<br />
the Gulf is fi ne dining at its<br />
fi nest. For reservations at<br />
HB’s, call 239.435.4347.<br />
Our world-class spa<br />
features soothing and<br />
therapeutic treatments as<br />
well as salon offerings.<br />
To make an appointment,<br />
call 239.659.4304.<br />
14 WINTER | SPRING <strong>2018</strong> <strong>Must</strong><strong>Do</strong>.com
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