SANIBEL ISLAND, Florida – We biked, we kayaked, we strolled the beach. We searched for shells, peeled shrimp ... of more than ...

One day, the tide might leave ribbons of shells and seaweed on the ... dark clouds breaking above the pier after a rain storm, photographing Fort Myers Beach rarely disappoints.

Several also enjoyed riding their bikes to the beach ... the shells. (You may want to wear water shoes to protect your feet.) Or plan your shell hunt for low tide, especially after a storm.

Situated on the west end of the island, Bowman's is well known for having beautiful, abundant shells. Recent travelers ... especially after a storm. Beachgoers routinely praised Bowman's for ...

Recently, the experts at Southern Living put Sanibel at No. 6 on their "The 50 best beach towns in the South ... stretching out with shells scattered like little gifts from the Gulf.

Slowly, but surely, Sanibel ... beach would probably look relatively unchanged with the exception of the dune system," ...

"I'm at the beach almost every day ... washed up on places like Sanibel during strong winter cold fronts. Junonia shells just might be the most sought-after of shells among aficionados.

The City of Sanibel's Natural Resources Department recently announced it has completed the final phase of the Lighthouse Beach renourishment project - the planting of native dune vegetation.

What's a "best beach towns" list without Sanibel ... provides a link to the "9 Best things to do in Sanibel Island" that includes: Searching for shells Walking and biking on wildlife trails ...