Panacea · Florida · USA
Shell Point Beach
You'll park beside pickup trucks whose beds still hold crab traps, walk across crushed shell and limestone to a beach where the water feels more like a vast estuary than ocean. Mullet jump at dusk, osprey wheel overhead, and the horizon stretches unbroken toward Apalachee Bay.
Reading live conditions…
Live from Open-Meteo · sea surface temperature and wave data modelled at 1-km grid resolution for Shell Point Beach. Numbers refresh at the hourly tick.
- Purity
- 0%
- Conditions
- 0%
- Crowd
- 0%
- Vibe
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The OnlyBeaches Index weighs four pillars against your chosen persona. Purity comes from water clarity and air-quality heuristics; Conditions from Open-Meteo waves, wind and temperatures; Crowd from historical patterns; Vibe from nearby events within 50 km. The score rebalances throughout the day.
You'll park beside pickup trucks whose beds still hold crab traps, walk across crushed shell and limestone to a beach where the water feels more like a vast estuary than ocean. Mullet jump at dusk, osprey wheel overhead, and the horizon stretches unbroken toward Apalachee Bay.
Photos
8 captures from Shell Point Beach
About this beach
Where it is
Shell Point Beach
Panacea, Florida, USA
30.0639°, -84.3007°
Top things to do
At Shell Point Beach
Wade the Flats
Knee-deep for a hundred yards
Apalachee Bay Sunsets
Tangerine sky over working boats
Paddle Seagrass Meadows
Launch from the concrete ramp
Shrimp from Roadside
Hand-lettered signs on CR 367
Near this beach
Places, rentals, tours and events within walking and driving distance of Shell Point Beach.
Questions people actually ask about Shell Point Beach.
Is Shell Point Beach safe for swimming?
Shell Point Beach has very shallow, calm waters that extend far from shore, making it generally safe for wading and swimming, especially for families with children. However, the beach sits on Florida's Big Bend coast along the Gulf of Mexico, where rocky limestone outcroppings and oyster beds are common. Wear water shoes to protect your feet. The remote location means no lifeguards are on duty, so swim at your own risk and supervise children closely. Check local conditions before entering the water.
When is the best time to visit Shell Point Beach?
Shell Point Beach is accessible year-round, with each season offering different appeals. Spring and fall provide comfortable temperatures (70s-80s°F) with fewer crowds and excellent sunset viewing. Summer brings warm Gulf waters but higher humidity and occasional afternoon thunderstorms. Winter offers mild weather and solitude, though water temperatures drop significantly. The beach faces west, making it spectacular for sunsets any time of year. Weekdays are generally quieter than weekends, regardless of season.
