Shells all around! From beachcombing to turtle watching – Jupiter, FL.

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It has been so rainy here in south Florida lately, almost every afternoon and evening. Plus, it has been a while since our last visit to the beach. We decided to make the effort to go early in the morning before Jeremy would have to deal with what he calls “Parking Lot Wars”, which never ends well.

Juno has the perks of a nicer beach, clean restroom facilities AND the area just south of the pier is located across the street from the Loggerhead Marine Life Center. There is parking at multiple sites along A1A, but we prefer to park by Loggerhead.

Getting settled in

When you arrive you have two options on how to enter the beach.

Option 1 – by descending the wooden stairway.

Option 2 – using the sand ramp just to the left of the stairs. This ramp would allow you to roll a wagon or cooler down to find the perfect spot.

We don’t usually take a wagon. We just carry our items down. The parking lot is close enough that if you want to make a second trip it’s no big deal.

One of our must-have items is this tent pictured below. It has been LIFE-CHANGING for our beach enjoyment.

This Quest Quick Draw Portable Sun Shelter is super lightweight to transport and folds to condense down to about a 3 ft. long rectangle-like shape when placed in its zip-up carrying case.

Setting up camp

After unfolding the legs, just one pull from the top will pop the support poles in to place. I would total set up time is about 2 minutes.

• Unzip the case
• set the legs down where you want them
• pop the top into place
• use the stakes provided to secure in place

It also has little openings at the base that you can fill with sand to create natural anchors. Just flip the pockets to dump the sand when you’re ready to leave.

There are screen windows on each of the three sides to allow for air flow. Attached to each side are shade panels. These can be flipped up into place if the sun is getting too strong or you want a little privacy from your next door neighbors.

The front half is open-air without a door. The roof portion extends overhead to give you all the benefits of an umbrella without the chance of it blowing away.

Look out below

Watch out for the local residents before you set your tent down in the sand. Angry neighbors could put a damper on your day for sure. If you see about a quarter-sized round hole in the sand, chances are someone may be home down below.

Sit back and relax

Another essential item on our list is Jeremy’s chair. This Kijaro beach sling chair is a MUST-have for him. He always keeps it readily available in the trunk of his car. I usually just lay down on a towel inside the tent when I manage to sit still, which is never for very long. I love to explore the beach! On days when the water is flat, I enjoy swimming around near the shore and searching for shells just below the surface.

I was so excited to be back at the beach that I could hardly stand it! Anxiously I waited for Jeremy to set up the tent so I could hurry up and get my camera out. I wanted to get some great shots while it was not so crowded and the sunlight was just right.

Remember how I said it has been raining on and off lately?

Well wouldn’t you know that as soon as I got my camera out and got just a few shots it started sprinkling. These random sun showers can happen at any time, but thankfully they usually pass pretty quickly so there’s no need to pack up and head to the car, especially when you have that awesome tent to seek shelter in. I ran back to the tent with my camera shoved underneath my shirt.

While waiting for the rain to pass, I took advantage of the activity break by enjoying my breakfast sandwich.

Thankfully, it was a very brief shower and I was able to get back to walking the shoreline in search of some treasure. To say I love shelling is quite the understatement. However, I do have a discerning eye. Lucky for Jeremy, I don’t try to pick up every single shell I see.

Seeking treasure

Our house is already pretty decked out in shell decor from our walks along the beach together. I love the thrill of the hunt for that one unique shell! Off I went, down the beach headed towards the pier.

However, most of what you’ll find if you are just casually searching are ones like these. These shells are common and can be found on pretty much any beach in SoFL.

I usually don’t pick these up, unless the coloring is unique.

Where to look

To be able to find the good stuff you have to know where to look. I usually start further up on the beach to check out what high tide left behind. The key is to be patient and to closely look at each area. It can be overwhelming at first, but it is worth it. Seaweed usually helps to hide what I’m seeking. Even though it grosses me out really bad, I usually manage to move it off to the side to see what is underneath.

I got lucky and found this Lettered Olive shell. There are many color pattern variations of these types of shells. The lighter ones are usually what I’m able to find.

Another thing about shelling for me is that they don’t have to be perfect and whole to be beautiful. Although sometimes it is disappointing to find just a part of something, I enjoy knowing potentially what it had been before. That part of knowing what it might have been before is what makes it so special. This is part of a lightning Whelk.

Just like the olive shell, there are many varieties of this species, which is usually inhabited by a large, predatory sea snail. So if you happen to by lucky enough to find a whole one, check to make sure no one is home and definitely do NOT take it home to add to your saltwater tank that has other living things in it. Otherwise, they will not be living for very long.

Things to avoid when beachcombing

If you are new to beachcombing in South Florida there are a few creatures you need to watch out for, especially near the seaweed. The easiest of these to see are the Atlantic Portuguese man o’ war. They can often be found washed up on the beach. You may also see them floating along the surface of the water.

Although stunning to the eye with it’s iridescent bubble-like appearance, getting in “touch” with this creature will quickly change from stunning to stinging. Every part of the animal is venomous and it can keep its potency for hours or even days after it has washed up on shore.

Trekking around the turtles

Next thing to keep an eye out for – where we can actually be the dangerous ones – are sea turtle nests. You’ll be able to identify these from a long way off. They are marked with wooden stakes, colored tape, and usually an identifying sign.

While we do adore sea turtles, take note that they are an endangered species protected by federal law. Messing around with nests is NOT ok. So please, keeps your hands, feet, and sand shovels within your own personal bubble and stay clear of the nests.

If you manage to continue on past all of the shells, man o’ war, and sea turtle nests, about a half-mile down the beach (I’m estimating since I left my Apple watch at home that day to try and get rid of my ridiculous tan line) you’ll find yourself at the pier.

While there is no swimming or wading allowed within 50 feet due to the fishermen up above, I do love the view from this spot.

On my way back to our tent I enjoyed the sounds of the waves crashing and rolling in. I breathed in the salty air with deep cleansing breaths. I walked in water that was up to my calves to get the refreshing blast of cold water for some hydrotherapy. All of the natural healing benefits for $0. Yes, please. I’ll take it. Especially during the last month of school.

Once I made it back to the tent, Jeremy was ready to get in the water. We tried and were able to hang in there for a bit, but the later in the day it got the rougher the tides grew. We opted out and decided to continue shelling instead since we hadn’t found much at this point.

The search continues

All of a sudden, we hit the mother load! I kid you not, I would look down into the water and see what I thought to be a good looking shell. I’d jab my hand down into the water then yank it back out quickly, just barely missing getting hit in the face by the next wave. Each time I opened my hand, there it would be. More treasure! I did this not once, not twice, but probably about 10 times. Jeremy too. We had found the sweet spot for sure.

Once we were all shelled out, we decided to pack it up. We wanted to make it over to visit the turtles. Perfect timing since the dark clouds were just starting to roll in. This area has nice facilities with both an outdoor shower to rinse off in and bathrooms.

Loving Loggerhead

From very early in our relationship we’ve shared a love for sea turtles. The Loggerhead Marinelife Center was another date venue that Jeremy introduced me to during the first couple of weeks we were dating. We love visiting with the sea turtles each time we’re up that way.

Admission is a donation of your choosing, by cash or card. They do such amazing work at this center to help rescue countless turtles.

Upon entering you are by greeted by some familiar faces. For those of you that have seen Finding Nemo, you’ll feel like the gang’s back together again. Clown fish, yellow tangs, and royal blue tangs are ready to say hello.

Some of them are there to heal, so remember to approach the tank slowly and refrain from tapping on the glass (no Darla moments allowed).

After you’ve moved on from the first tank, you’ll see the gift shop on the left. On the right you’ll find the turtle museum with lots of educational information. Plus, you’ll see a few more tanks filled with some new friends for you to meet.

Featured in these tanks are some beautiful corals and anemones.

On to the outdoor area

Next, you should head outside to the main attraction. Here you will find various types of sea turtles of all sizes in the middle of their rehabilitation program. On display in their tanks, these turtles may suffer from things like boat propeller injuries, shell rot/infections, ingesting hazardous materials, or other debilitating injuries/conditions.

These beauties are receiving excellent care with the goal of 100% recovery and rehabilitation. The rescues efforts of staff and volunteers at the center are what gives these turtles a second chance. However, some turtles must become permanent residents due to the extent of their injuries.

The north side of the facility is for the ICU. They keep the younger turtles here. There is also a hospital where they can perform surgeries.

Held in the open tanks in the middle are the older and larger turtles. Visitors can enjoy either a top down view or use the viewing window down below to get an up close look. Volunteers are always standing by ready to answer any questions you may have.

Are you in love yet with these amazing creatures like we are? If so, here are some easy things you can do to help out the sea turtle populations. You can visit their website, shown above, to make a donation or sign up to volunteer.

When visiting the beach…

• Make sure you keep all trash secured in your bag.
• Deposit it in the trash can upon departure.
• While you are there, if you see items that could be harmful to turtles, please add it to your trash bag.

QUESTION: What is your favorite thing to do when visiting a beach? Shelling? Nap? Swim? Surf? Comment to let us know! Maybe you’ll inspire us to try something new.