Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum
The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum, located just 5-minutes from the Island Inn, connect people to the natural world through their love of shells and the animals that create them. Visiting the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum is a great family activity to do with kids on Sanibel Island, as well as adults! Engage with live animals in two large interactive touch tanks while learning from the museum’s knowledgeable staff about the beautiful creatures you’re holding. Then, head over to see world-record sized shells from around the world, as well as how and where to find shells on Sanibel and Captiva Islands. You’ll even learn the best way to clean and transport your gifts from the sea back home with you. The museum offers more than 30 permanent exhibits and several traveling exhibits, but the most exciting is their Giant Pacific Octopus! You can even watch the octopus via the museum’s Live OctoCam before you meet this beautiful creature in-person!
For more information about the museum, including current hours and rates, visit their website by clicking on the MORE INFORMATION button below.
Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum
3075 Sanibel-Captiva Road
Sanibel, Florida 33957
Phone: (239) 395-2233
Toll-free: (888) 679-6450
Visitor Reviews
Tranquility I usually travel alone and I felt completely safe at the Island Inn. The inn is clean and well cared for, everything is in tip-top condition! In addition, the employees were all very kind. The free use of the umbrellas and beach chairs are the icing on the cake! Some other resorts on the island charge you $$ to sit under an umbrella. 
A great place to stay! We just left this wonderful inn. The people were so kind and welcoming, the room (actually more of a condo) was beautiful and had everything we needed. The beach in front of the inn was beautiful and had better shells than most places on the island! The balcony, which was screened in, was beautiful, we ate breakfast there every day! There were chairs and umbrellas on the beach. You can’t beat the sunset as well. This was our first time back to Sanibel since the devastating hurricanes. There were plenty of restaurants open and lots of shops are coming back too. We’ll be back!
Return to Paradise We have stayed at the Island Inn many times. However, this was our first stay since the hurricanes hit Sanibel. The rooms in Matthews Lodge were just as great as ever. The beach had a great many more shells. The chairs and umbrellas made sitting on the beach very peaceful and enjoyable. The staff was as friendly and welcoming as ever. While so much has changed, we were glad to support the Island Inn and all the other familiar businesses on Sanibel. It is important to show your loyalty to such a wonderful place and the people who live and work there. We will be back again in the near future!
