Marelle's Seashell Museum, Shell museum in San Juan, Philippines
Marelle's Seashell Museum is a facility housing a collection of around 3,000 seashells from different oceans, arranged in glass displays with identification labels and origin information. The exhibits include samples from tropical reefs, cold waters, and deep-sea dwelling species.
The collection started in the 1980s when founder Marelle Diokno began gathering shells during travels across multiple continents. She later transformed this personal collection into a public learning facility.
The exhibits show how shells have been used in Philippine coastal communities for crafts, decorations, and musical instruments. You can see how locals continue to work with these materials in their daily practices today.
The museum is fairly easy to reach since it sits in central San Juan and is accessible by most transportation methods. It is best to come in the morning when fewer visitors are present so you can view the displays at your own pace.
Each shell specimen goes through a special preservation process using natural materials to maintain its original colors. This careful approach allows the shells to keep their vivid appearance for decades without fading.
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