The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium educates visitors about shells and mollusks (the shell makers) through exhibits, educational programs, library services, and publications. This top Sanibel attraction is considered the most comprehensive shell museum in the Western Hemisphere!
Exhibits
The Museum offers several temporary exhibits and more than 30 permanent exhibits, including the Great Hall of Shells, which displays highlights of the Museum’s collection of some 550,000 shells from around the world. The Living Gallery of Aquariums displays over 60 species of marine life.
The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium’s newest resident is a playful and active Giant Pacific Octopus. Giant Pacific Octopuses are extremely intelligent and the largest species of octopus. They have eight arms, three hearts, and blue blood.
Other popular species on view include a Two-Spot Octopus, Caribbean Two-Spot Octopus, Flamingo Tongue, Strawberry Conch, Giant Clam, Disco Clam, Queen Conch, Horse Conch, Lined Seahorse, California Sea Hare, Giant Triton, and Red Abalone.
Exhibits in the Living Gallery of Aquariums illuminate the biology and behavior of mollusks including growth, anatomy, feeding, reproduction, and amazing traits that can be difficult to explain by science. Exhibit features include videos, large touchable shells, dioramas, a growth series of Junonia shells, and more.
Daily onsite experiences included in admission: Get your hands wet in the touch pools and learn fun facts about mollusks from the Museum’s Marine Biologists during daily Keeper Chats at 11am, 2pm, and daily Touch Pool Talks at 3:30pm.
Children’s Learning Lab
A learning lab features a hands-on play area for children, displays, games, and a tank with indigenous mollusks. Daily Arts & Crafts and Live Tank Talk (presented by a Marine Biologist) programs are included with admission.
Shell Museum Store
After your visit, stop by the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium Store, which carries a large selection of shell-related items from postcards to art and includes a terrific variety of shell books and identification guides.
You will also find a beautiful selection of unique jewelry, home items, books, toys, and more.
100% percent of the proceeds support the Museum.
Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium Hours and Admission
Admission:
Adults (18+), Senior (65+) $12
Veteran $10
Youth (12-17) Student, Educator $8
Child (5-11) $5
Admission is free for Museum Members, Active Military, and Children under 5.
Hours: Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium is a proud participant of the Blue Star Museums program, which offers free admission to active-duty military personnel, including National Guard and their families from Memorial Day through Labor Day.