Posted on March 23, 2026
By Claire O’Neil
PENSACOLA BEACH, Fla. — It’s a thrill of discovery for people who head out and collect seashells on the beach. At Pensacola Beach, collectors says they’re finding plenty to choose from over the last few weeks.
Well, if you’re heading to Pensacola Beach you might notice some more decorative seashells, thanks to a project that’s going on.
“I just love how they are so pretty and you can be decorative,” beachgoer Shyla Smith said.
For beachgoers, like Shyla, they’ve been able to find a wide array of seashells on the sandy beaches over the past few weeks.
The shells showing up come from a beach nourishment project.
“It’s been a good experience,” beachgoers Sebastean and Emma said. “I’ve been able to find a lot of different shells in different colors.”
Since the beginning of March, Manson Construction has been dredging, widening the beach with more sand. 1.5 cubic yards are spread over the eight miles from Park East, all the way to Fort Pickens.
This process sucks sand from the floor of the Gulf, bringing with it a welcome surprise for shellers.
“It’s like a vacuum cleaner, and you’re vacuuming up the sand off the bottom of the Gulf floor,” Santa Rosa Island Authority Executive Director Mike Burns said. “And of course, there’s going to be shells, like there will be conch shells, all kinds of shells on the bottom. And those come back and get sucked up into the vacuum cleaner. And let’s say you’re emptying the vacuum cleaner bag, and that’s what you’re doing.”
Burns says visitors are welcome, but when the contractors are working he recommends you keep your distance to stay safe.
“If you see fences and where they say, ‘Hey, don’t go there,’ just abide by what they are asking to do,” said Burns. “It’s all about your safety so, that’s the only concern.
And for those collectors out there, he added, you might just find what you need during this time.
‘Well I don’t think anyone has found that pot of gold, but I think seashells are the best and that’s about the most you can hope for,” Burns said.
As of right now, this project is still on schedule to wrap up before May. If any of that changes, you’ll be updated.
Crews are currently working by the dog park and will move towards Portofino.
