The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum
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The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum
The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum
4.5
This location was reported permanently closed
About
The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum is the only museum in the U.S. devoted entirely to shells and mollusks, and one of the best things to do on Sanibel Island. It features more than 30 engaging exhibits of stunning shells, showcasing some of the largest and rarest shell specimens in the world, including the goliath conch, lightning whelk and Atlantic trumpet triton, as well as common Southwest Florida shells, fossil shells and more. New in March 2020, “Beyond Shells: The Mysterious World of Mollusks” adds the live animals that create shells to its must-see experiences. New aquariums include live octopuses, giant clams, nautilus, nudibranchs and gastropods, and two 15-foot-long touch tanks let young visitors get their hands wet. For a perfect Sanibel experience, fun daily beach walks can be reserved, and the nonprofit museum’s scientists also conduct research with local mollusk species.
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4.5
1,659 reviews
Excellent
1,045
Very good
433
Average
143
Poor
30
Terrible
8
EngelClan Vacays
Sanibel, FL14 contributions
Aug 2022
The museum isn't very large but it is so fascinating what you learn and how passionate the staff is and eager to teach you. My husband and I went together and it was one of the best places we visited while in Sanibel Island.
Written 1 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
robin
Hartford, CT63 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
We loved this place and it was one of our favorite highlights from visiting FL. The staff were friendly, the building was beautiful and clean. The exhibits were detailed and interesting. The have an amazing seahorse tank. Our son loved the sea life touch tanks.
Written 25 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laura S
31 contributions
July 2022 • Family
Highly recommend you visit at the start of your trip so that you can truly appreciate the variety and complexity of the seashells. Fun and educational for all.
Written 30 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Diane K
Venice, FL4,053 contributions
July 2022 • Couples
We spent a little over an hour at the museum. They had a small theater area that showed mollusks, etc in the wild on the beaches. I found that quite interesting and informative.
Written 28 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Curtis F
Hackberry, LA122 contributions
Sept 2021
My party all visited the shell museum and wee had a wonderful time. They have a collection second to none and i recommend all sheller visit this museum.
Written 26 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WriteOn
Louisville, KY181 contributions
July 2022 • Friends
Did you know most shells open on the right side? I had no idea. I went with a group & learned so much . You can touch snails, see exotic salt water fish , and learn so much about the many varieties of shells from across the world! We had a most knowledgeable tour guide! When in Sanibel, go visit!
Written 11 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Baysinger
Orlando, FL110 contributions
July 2022 • Family
My wife has recently discovered the hobby of shell collecting, so she really loves seeing the variety of things she could find. The exhibit isn't very large and you only need about an hour to see everything. There were plenty of opportunities for my daughters to get hands-on. It's well maintained and clean.
Written 1 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WSU1986
Atlanta, GA148 contributions
June 2022 • Couples
If you are a true sea shell enthusiast,, you will appreciate this venue. As is, it needs more interactive/ live exhibits. Special exhibit of "shells in fashion" were large pictures of the historical use...not actual garments. Admission was pricey - almost $50 for 2 adults. Nice displays of shells from the Sanibel area and historic discoveries.
Written 29 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shaked007
Hod Hasharon, Israel1,716 contributions
Apr 2022
The National Shell Museum is a beautiful little museum with an impressive and colourful collection of shells.
The shells are nicely displayed and explained.
In addition to the shells, the touch tank is a nice addition and provides children with some activity in addition to just looking at shells.....
We loved the GPO (Giant Pacific Octopus), a 40 pound octopus in an aquarium (They can grow to over 120 pounds!!). We were just in time to listen to a briefing/lecture about the octopus by its carer, which was fascinating. The octopus is considered to be the most intelligent invertebrate. The carer told us that one of its favourite toys is a Rubik's Cube. which it manipulates for hours (but hasn't solved yet....!!).
Beautiful Museum!! Definite MUST!!
The shells are nicely displayed and explained.
In addition to the shells, the touch tank is a nice addition and provides children with some activity in addition to just looking at shells.....
We loved the GPO (Giant Pacific Octopus), a 40 pound octopus in an aquarium (They can grow to over 120 pounds!!). We were just in time to listen to a briefing/lecture about the octopus by its carer, which was fascinating. The octopus is considered to be the most intelligent invertebrate. The carer told us that one of its favourite toys is a Rubik's Cube. which it manipulates for hours (but hasn't solved yet....!!).
Beautiful Museum!! Definite MUST!!
Written 6 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
almliu
Sister Bay, WI177 contributions
Apr 2022 • Family
It was nice place to visit. Lots of different exhibits and our favorites were live animals/fish. Everyone super nice. Great place to visit.
Written 2 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
katieh31405
Stuart, FL8 contributions
How long does it take to go through whole museum?
invertpaleo
New York City, NY352 contributions
I think an hour and a half here only gives you time to walk around it all, just glancing at everything, without really looking at anything in detail, or learning anything from the exhibits.
Sanibel Island is one of only three places in the entire world where so many shells and such a variety of shells wash up every day of the year. Many visitors come to Sanibel because they want to find shells and look at shells, which are some of nature's most beautiful and mysterious objects.
If you are someone likes shells or loves shells, you will want to spend at least two or three hours looking at the exhibits and live tanks and films, and maybe come back again in a few days for another go. This is a place where you can see more, and learn more, about shells and the animals that build them, than any other place in the world.
Susan J
Sebring, FL1 contribution
Price to get in
winetravelers2014
Erie, PA338 contributions
$15. / adult..... seniors $14
Nivea L
Boynton Beach, FL11 contributions
Is it dog friendly?
Katie B
Sanibel Island, FL
Hi Nivea,
Service dogs are welcome into the museum. All other dogs are welcome on the grounds. We have picnic tables with shade umbrellas and would be happy to get your pup water if you are eating lunch outside, just let us know!
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