Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum

The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum is a natural history museum in Sanibel dedicated entirely to studying shells and snails. It displays specimens from oceans, lakes, and rivers alongside living animals in aquariums, showing the diversity of these creatures from around the world.

The museum opened in 1995 after the Bailey brothers donated land as a memorial to their parents. The project grew in the following years and developed into a respected research facility for studying mollusks.

The museum displays shells from different habitats and explains how these creatures live in their natural environments. Visitors learn why shells matter to people living along the Gulf Coast and how they fit into local nature.

The museum sits along Sanibel Captiva Road and is easily reached by car with ample parking on site. The indoor spaces are air-conditioned and well organized, allowing visitors to see all exhibits in an hour or two.

A special collection came from actor Raymond Burr, who donated rare shells from across the Pacific Ocean. This collection includes species you would not otherwise find in this region.

Location: Florida

Location: Sanibel

Inception: 1995

Address: 3075 Sanibel Captiva Rd. Sanibel, FL 33957, USA

Website: http://shellmuseum.org

GPS coordinates: 26.44080,-82.10220

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:26