Sand Dollar Island is a beach in Florida that has sand dollars. Live sand dollars can be found at or around many beaches in Florida. You are best off to search for them on Florida's gulf coast and I would start on Siesta Key Beach on the northern end.
In the state of Florida it is illegal to take live sand dollars out of their natural habitat. If you see a live one simply place it back where you found it, or place it back in the water. A live sand dollar is not bright white. It is a light brown or brownish color and when they are in a dry location the sand dollar dies and then the sun bleaches it white. Also, live sand dollars secrete a substance that can stain your hand. The stain may last for hours or even stain your clothing.
On Florida's gulf coast the better question is where can you not find sand dollars. Just about anywhere you find white sand beaches or a undeveloped barrier island you will be finding shells and sand dollars if you look closely. The less populated beaches are of course going to have more of them. In locations where there is a first and second sand bars you can usually find a live sand dollar on them is you look closely. Like Pompano fishing practice makes perfect but persistence and luck can be a good substitute.
Panama City Beach does have some sand dollars but they are becoming harder to find. My ex-wife used to go there with the kids and find them years ago but now it gets far to crowded. To the west on Navarre Beach is a great place for a shelling excursion. It is a barrier island primarily visited by locals most of whom are no longer shell collectors. Pensacola Beach is on the same barrier island.
Well, there are not many people that go there sand dollar searching. Most people who visit the Sun Coast are not even aware those places exist. Honeymoon Island and Caladesi Island are north of Clearwater Beach, secluded, gorgeous with a lot of trails and are a decent place for collecting sand dollars. Not to mention fairly decent Florida beaches. Please remember, sand dollars die when left out of the water for very long. If we preserve sand dollars our children's children can enjoy them as well.
Probably Sanibel Island at low tide or a new moon. Sanibel Island has a gorgeous beach and is known to be one of the better shelling beaches. It is more than long enough to spend the day on and has amazing soft sand. That soft sand helps make it one of the best shelling beaches and a great barefoot beach. There is a lot of sea life ranging from sea turtles, dolphins and every type of bird.
Venice Beach is not the whitest beach nor is Caspersen Beach to the south of it. What they have in common is fossils and shell fragments. You may have some luck searching for shark teeth or sand dollars but most likely you will find fragments. Take a specialized rake, and good luck.
South of Marco Island is Morgan Beach and Cape Romano. These two beaches are perfect for nature lovers and perfect for shell collection. You can certainly find clean sand dollars here, but you will need a boat to reach this area. Nobody said finding sand dollars in pristine condition would be easy. It is just a lot of fun.
Key West and the Florida Keys is a great place to find Conch shells, Cockle shells, Tulip shells and Coquina shells. On the down side you must remember that is is illegal to remove live creatures when they are living in these shells. No place in Florida will you be more likely to get caught than the Keys.
Slim chance to find sand dollars. However other shells will be distinguishable at low tide. At least your chances will be greater. On Amelia Island I would focus my efforts in the off season and earlier in the day. Daytona Beach would take the same type effort because it too is very seasonable.
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