Tropical Travel Girl
How I display my sand collection and shells
Last updated on April 7th, 2025 at 07:18 pm
In a previous post, “Why I love islands: beachcombing (sand and shell collecting),” I shared how I became fascinated with combing the beaches for shells. Although I grew up in southern Indiana, far from an ocean, I became exposed to turquoise ocean waters and white, sandy beaches during multiple childhood vacations in Florida with my family.
How my sand collection grew
Years later, I began bringing back sand from my travels. I used to fill a couple of 35mm film containers with sand. Later, I took small zip-lok bags with me to scoop up sand from the beaches I visited. After becoming certified to scuba dive in 1992, I began traveling to more islands in the Caribbean and Mexico, and my sand collection grew. Later, my travel writing career took me farther afield, to tropical destinations in the South Pacific, Europe, and other places in the U.S. and Canada.
As you’ll read in my earlier article, I began to display my collection in small glass bottles, labeled on the bottom with the name of the island where the sand was collected. After a while, the baggies of sand ended up in a box, waiting for the time I would get back to my bottling the rest of them.
My pandemic project…
During 2020, when we were all at home more due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of back burner projects made their way to the front burner. Travel plans were largely cancelled (although I did manage a road trip to the Florida Panhandle in October 2020), and we found ourselves spending more time at home than we had in years.
A box in our upstairs storage room labeled “Sand and Shells” called out to me. The time was right. No reason to procrastinate. There were no pending deadlines for writing projects and no upcoming trips to tropical destinations to plan for. Along with the bags filled with sand, I found shells I’d brought back from trips over the years. Those, too, needed sorting, cleaning, and displaying.
It took some time, but I finally found the right piece of furniture to become the focal point for my display. I ordered it online from Wayfair, but there are multiple sites that have bookcases, etageres and other cabinetry to include in your search.
I transferred all those baggies of sand into 4 oz. glass bottles I ordered online, used the included twine and tags to identify them, and began arranging them on my new etagere.
My sand collection to date
Sand from more than 70 beaches
My collection includes:
Beaches below with links will take you to Destination Pages or posts on Tropical Travel Girl about that destination. (A few newer sands have not yet been bottled and tagged…)
Anguilla, West Indies
Anna Maria Island, Florida, USA
Antigua, West Indies
Bahia Honda, Florida Keys, USA
Barbados, West Indies
Bequia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines
Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands
Boysie Cay Beach, Exumas, Bahamas
Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Cancun, Mexico
Coco Plum Beach, Exumas, Bahamas
Corfu, Greece
Cozumel, Mexico
Curacao, Caribbean Netherlands
Destin, Florida, USA
Dominica, West Indies
Emerald Bay Beach, Exumas, Bahamas
Emerald Isle, North Carolina, USA
Fakarava, Tuamotus, French Polynesia
Figaro Beach, Corsica
Ft. Myers Beach, Florida, USA
Grace Bay Beach, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
Grand Anse Beach, Grenada, West Indies
Grand Cayman, West Indies
Grayton Beach, Florida, USA
Islamorada, Florida Keys, USA
Isle des Saintes, Guadeloupe
Lido Key, Florida Keys, USA
Jamaica, West Indies
Kauai, Hawaii, USA
Mandalay Beach, Oxnard, CA, USA
Mayreau, St. Vincent & the Grenadines
Moorea, French Polynesia
Mykonos, Greece
Navarre Beach, Florida, USA
Nevis, West Indies
North Padre Island, Texas, USA
Palm Island, St. Vincent & Grenadines
Paradise Cove Beach, Malibu, California, USA
Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada
Petit St. Vincent, St. Vincent & Grenadines
Pink Gin Beach, Grenada, West Indies
Port Aransas, Texas, USA
Prince Edward Island, Canada
Puerto Morelos (Grand Residences), Mexico
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Rangiroa, French Polynesia
Riviera Maya (Mayakoba), Mexico
Sanibel Island, Florida, USA
Santorini, Greece
St. Barts, West Indies
St. John (Caneel Bay), USVI
St. Kitts (Turtle Beach), West Indies
St. Lucia, West Indies
St. Maarten, West Indies
St. Martin (Grand Case), West Indies
St. Thomas, USVI
St. Tropez, France
Tahaa (Motu), French Polynesia
Tahiti, French Polynesia
Tobago (Pigeon Point), West Indies
Tortola, BVI
Trinidad, West Indies
Tropic of Cancer Beach, Exumas, Bahamas
Tulum, Mexico
Vomo Island, Fiji
Casual sand collector vs. serious sand collector
I consider myself to be a “casual collector” of sand. Since I renewed my interest in getting my collected sand bottled and tagged, I found the International Sand Collectors Society group on Facebook. Some of its members are super-serious about their collections, which can number into the tens of thousands.
While I am most interested in collecting sand from places I’ve actually visited, some seek sand from every corner of the globe, carefully recording each sample’s coordinates (latitude/longitude). Others photograph sand using microscopes. It is fascinating to view the grains close-up, to see the colors and types of minerals that make up the sand we sink our toes into.
Still seeking sands from beaches I’ve visited
I am still seeking sand from beaches I have visited but failed to collect sand. Through the International Sand Collectors Society’s Facebook group (and other Facebook sand swapping groups), I discovered it is possible to swap sands with others.
Since I have many extra sand samples, I have arranged to “swap” small amounts of sand with other collectors. It will be interesting to see how many I can add to my collection, until I am able to travel to new destinations and add to it on my own!
Displaying my shells
I also took time to sort through boxes and bags of shells I’d collected throughout the years. I’ve incorporated many of them into my display in small dishes or bottles. Others are either on display in other areas of my home or are waiting to be used in craft projects I have in mind.
I often refer to shell guides like this one (below), as well as online shell identification sites to identify and learn more about shells. The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, Sanibel Island, Florida, offers a free shell guide on its website, as well as an app for iPhone users ($1.99 on the App Store under Shell Museum).
Any other sand collectors and/or shell collectors out there? I would love to see how you have displayed and decorated with them!
This is so inspiring! I have lots of beautiful shells too, but not even by far such a grandiose display. I keep some on a corner shelf and some in the bathroom. You gave me some wonderful ideas though, so I’ll copy you.
Anda, I’m glad I’ve inspired you! This was something I’d been thinking of doing for a long time and it has finally come together! I’d love to see what you end up doing with your shells.
I so admire your creativity. We have lots of shells and ocean art pieces collected and scattered around. This speaks wonders about your organizational skills but I hope you have someone who can keep the collection dusted!
Thank you, Elaine! I have other shells and tropical souvenirs in other areas of my home, too. I couldn’t fit them all on one shelving unit, but at least my sand collection is in one place! As for dusting….I’m not going to think about that yet! 🙂
I also collect shells. Most of mine are in jars. Although I love your arrangement, isn’t it a bear to dust and clean?
I haven’t had the display finished long enough to think about the dusting of them yet! It may prove to be a challenge… Thanks for warning me! 🙂
WOW! What a collection you have. It’s so impressive. I especially like the bottles (and tags) that you have for the sand. They’re beautiful and really make a nice display. I’m also wowed by the number of places you’ve been to, and envy that you’ve been to the French Polynesia.
Much appreciated, Jan… I feel blessed to have been able to visit so many beaches (including those in French Polynesia)! I’m looking forward to adding to the list soon!
What a delightful way to showcase your beach memories. Each bottle or shell holds its own special place in the heart and the way you have them displayed shows your passion. Thanks for this peek into your personal life.
So glad you enjoyed the post, Jeff and Crystal! Yes, anything related to the beach and ocean brings me joy.
Wow, I would never have the patience to do this! But you have produced a masterpiece of memories! Very inspiring!
It was a good project to tackle during the months of near-isolation due to COVID…and something that had been on my list for a long time! And you’re right; each one brings back memories.
What an amazing collection! I love the way you’ve got them organised and displayed.
It finally all came together! Hope to be able to add to it in the future!
I love the corked bottles! So romantic!
Memories in a bottle! As I put the sand in each one, I could relive my trip to that location…
Beautiful display! What display risers did you use for your bottles of sand?
Thank you, Lynne! As for the risers to display my sand, I have my husband to thank! He built them from scrap wood (2 x 4’s) and stained them dark brown. I found some clear plexiglass ones online, but when he said he could build them for me, I didn’t order them. I’m glad you enjoyed reading about my collection!
My husband and I have done 45 cruises to this point with more booked finally. I collected sand since the first cruise and have over 250 specimens now. I used the sides of an old baby crib screwed to the wall for shelves that just fit the room service catsup bottles between the rungs. Can’t post a photo here but you can see it on Ebay if you search “Sand Samples from Around the World”.
Wow, Diana! You have me beat…with over 250 specimens (and also with 45 cruises)! I would love to see your photo. I’ll look on Ebay as you suggest. Not sure what a room service catsup bottle looks like, so am intrigued to see your collection.
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Wow! You’ve got a treasure trove of tropical memories so well displayed!
Collecting sand and shells is my joy when traveling to a new beach destination! I love seeing the differences in color and texture of the world’s beaches! Glad you enjoyed the post!
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Wow this is so beautiful. A great inspiration for how to display the sand and seashell but also I am so happy for you and these memories you collected.
Thanks, Lorraine, for your comments! I am still collecting more sand and shells and look forward to my next time at the beach. I am happy to have inspired you with my collection.
Debbra – where do you buy your variety of bottles? I love the sand collection, and I’m just starting my own.
Hi Laura. I’ve purchased bottles locally at stores like Michael’s and ordered a lot online from Amazon. The description of the last ones I ordered is: CUCUMI 12pcs 3.4oz Small Glass Jars with Lids, 100ml. You can do a search for that, and they should come up. I hope this helps!
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