The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium
The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium
The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium is a natural history museum and aquarium, and the only museum in the United States devoted primarily to shells and mollusks. Its mission is to use exceptional collections, aquariums, programs, experiences, and science to be the nation’s leading museum in the conservation, preservation, interpretation, and celebration of shells, the mollusks that create them, and their ecosystems. For more information, please visit ShellMuseum.org or call (239) 395-2233.
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4.5
1,663 reviews
Excellent
1,046
Very good
434
Average
144
Poor
31
Terrible
8
Dec 2020 • Couples
Have driven past this place many of time either by car or by bicycle and finally decided to go at 10 AM (when the doors open) to hopefully avoid any crowds indoors during this crazy pandemic. Parking was free however so are the bike racks! We were the second folks in, and really didn’t see too many people during our visit which was really nice. Masks were mandatory, but there was plenty of room and we did not feel compromised at all being indoors for the couple of hours that we were there. Really neat history and special artwork made from shells. There was even a little craft gift that they gave you to take with you when you left. You can leave a small donation for these if you wish. There was a supervised area with an expert where you could actually touch some of the living creatures (after you wash your hands). There was also a movie room with an educational video showing during our visit. Probably the coolest thing was the world-record sized shells on display up on the second floor. Truly amazing! The gift shop had some neat things in it as well. Be sure to stop in before you leave the museum. Admission was bit pricey, but worth it for this rare gem of a museum on Sanibel Island.
Written 15 December 2020
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.
Ernest O
Allentown, PA
Feb 2020
Make sure that you visit the National Shell Museum as soon as you can. This was our first visit to Sanibel Island, during our first morning walk on the beach, we noticed that the shells were very different that what we find along the Virginia coastline. We then visited the Shell Museum. We started with an interesting video about shells, followed by a Q & A session, followed by a self guided tour of the shell exhibit. The staff and knowledgeable and friendly. We purchased a video and reference materials on shells to show our grandchildren. Unfortunately for us, we were there two days before they opened a new section of the museum. We will be returning next year to see what was added. Highly recommend making the Shell Museum an early stop when you visit Sanibel Island. A wonderful experience for the beach walkers and shell collectors.
Written 19 April 2020
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.
DrJimbob
Cambridge, MA
Dec 2019
We visited Sanibel Island in December 2019, and were overwhelmed on the first day by the variety of shells that we found. We went to the Shell Museum, which is in the midst of a massive renovation. Even in its stripped down stage, though, it was a tremendously helpful resource. The display of shells had a handy section devoted to the remarkable diversity of shells on Sanibel's own beaches. There were interesting displays on mollusk biology, and a range of interactive activities that engaged both of my daughters' attention. There was also a section where you could take shells to build your own doll or character, and those shells included samples of some of Sanibel's remarkable bounty.
The bookshop also had handy reference guides for sale, and we picked up a guide to Florida's shells which has proved to be very useful.
Only half of the museum was open between the holidays, and the descriptions of what is coming in March sound astonishing. But even as it is, this is an indispensable resource, if you need information about shells and the creatures that make them.
The bookshop also had handy reference guides for sale, and we picked up a guide to Florida's shells which has proved to be very useful.
Only half of the museum was open between the holidays, and the descriptions of what is coming in March sound astonishing. But even as it is, this is an indispensable resource, if you need information about shells and the creatures that make them.
Written 6 January 2020
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.
Thanks for your patience with our renovations. Getting better takes time! Visit us again in March and I think you'll agree it was all worthwhile.
Written 10 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Avid Traveler in Nebraska
Omaha, NE
Aug 2020
As shelling is a staple for Sanibel visitors, figured this museum would be a must-see attraction. Though new and clean, the museum is geared more to kids/families. $23.95 adult admission was on the high side, as we were able to see all exhibits on both floors in the span of about 45 minutes. I believe a portion of admission benefits a conservation foundation of some sort. Definitely some educational value, but if limited on time and funds, would suggest considering other options more heavily, especially if not visiting with young children.
Written 16 August 2020
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.
MJH161
Denver, CO
Mar 2021
We have been here twice, six years apart. It is a classy museum. If you have any interested in seashells, you should definitely visit here. The admission price of $25 a person is steep, but welcome to Sanibel Island.The displays are professional. I didn't love the artwork for sale, but I did love the hands-on portion of the museum where you could touch various live animals.I did buy an app for two dollars that allows you to identify seashells you'll find on the beach when roaming the island. I would say a 5 Star museum if the price were more in the 10 or $12 range. If you don't care about the cost, I would say this is pretty much a must stop on Sanibel.
Written 9 March 2021
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.
podrozniczka60
New Jersey
Dec 2021
The museum was surprisingly open on Christmas. Small but interesting for those with preexistent passion for shells. They do cater to young kids. Adult tickets are overpriced at $15 but the youngest kids are admitted for free.
Almost everywhere on Sanibel it seems like you have to pay for the parking but shell museum has a free parking.
Almost everywhere on Sanibel it seems like you have to pay for the parking but shell museum has a free parking.
Written 6 February 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.
invertpaleo
New York City, NY
Apr 2021
The shell museum, as long as it has existed, has always been a terrific destination, but the new entire floor of aquariums with live mollusks adds another whole dimension to it.
Some people think the museum fee is a little bit expensive, but it is totally worth the expenditure.
Sanibel is, after all, the Shell Capital of the USA, so why not understand a bit more about shells and mollusks that make them?
Some people think the museum fee is a little bit expensive, but it is totally worth the expenditure.
Sanibel is, after all, the Shell Capital of the USA, so why not understand a bit more about shells and mollusks that make them?
Written 24 June 2021
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.
tnvolfam
Franklin, TN
July 2021 • Couples
If you have elementary age children that like aquariums, this is a great place. Some of the exhibits are faciniating for the those that appreciate ocean life. In particular, there is staffed exhibit that allows some hands on experiences and deeper learning.
We enjoyed the exhibits, especially the shells organized by geographical origin.
In general, we felt the museum was smaller than expected, slightly under staffed, and a little over priced compared to other opportunities. However, we do not regret going.
We enjoyed the exhibits, especially the shells organized by geographical origin.
In general, we felt the museum was smaller than expected, slightly under staffed, and a little over priced compared to other opportunities. However, we do not regret going.
Written 30 July 2021
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.
K. Richard W
Sarasota, FL
Feb 2020
his museum never fails to live up to high standards and I have never brought out of towners here without their having a good time and great interest. The displays are very well presented and the videos are very well done. It is a National treasure, perhaps not up to Smithsonian standards, but given the fact that ity is on Sanibel Island really superb.
Written 16 February 2020
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.
Thank you so much for visiting often - and bringing friends! Our new Beyond Shells aquarium exhibits opens March 1st!
Written 25 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Amber C
Fancy Farm, KY
June 2020 • Family
This was our second visit to the shell museum, if you are going to be on the beach looking for shells you have to come here first. It is so informative about all the wildlife in the area and how they live. We especially loved seeing the live octopus and getting to touch the live animals in the conch tanks. Only reason I didn’t give five stars is because we were made to wear masks the whole time and I don’t like that at all but hopefully that wont last long.
Written 7 June 2020
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.
How long does it take to go through whole museum?
Written 10 March 2018
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.
Written 3 September 2018
$15. / adult..... seniors $14
Written 1 March 2018
Katie B
Sanibel Island, Florida
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!
Written 6 July 2015
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