Shell Point, Florida

Shell Point is a small unincorporated community in Wakulla County, Florida, United States of America.

Overview

Shell Point is located on the northern edge of the Apalachee Bay, approximately 30 miles south of Tallahassee. Most notable for its mediocre beach, Shell Point Beach was previously privately owned. After a petition by local groups to the state of Florida in 1995, the beach is funded by grants from the state and managed by the Wakulla County Department of Parks and Recreation. services.

References

Shell Point Florida is a small settlement primarily consisting of vacation homes on the coast in Wakulla County. There are about 200 buildings and many have waterfront with private canal dockage. Most are owned by residents of the Tallahassee area and south Georgia, though there are about fifty full-time residents. It is on Apalachee Bay about 30 miles south of Tallahassee.

The area once hosted a marina, boat ramp, restaurant, ships store, and motel but all of these have been closed for over ten years. The buildings have been leveled and the ramp was rebuilt by a private developer and is not available for public use. There are currently no plans to rebuild any of these facilities and such a prospect appears highly unlikely in the foreseeable future.

The only commercial enterprise at Shell Point is Marsh Harbor Marina operated from the adjacent real estate office. There are no supplies or fuel at this marina but showers and 30 amp power is available. Transient dockage is available though the traveling mariner will find far better prospects in Carabelle. A convenience store with gas and diesel is located 5.5 miles away on US 98. Most supplies can be had at Crawfordville, a fifteen mile drive. The closest motel accommodations are in Medart about 9 miles away. There is a restaurant in Spring Creek 3 miles away. There is no public transportation or cab service.

The beach is composed of mud, shell, and sand and is owned by Wakulla County with public access. Parking is usually free although Wakulla County intermittently tries to charge for parking near the restroom area. Adjacent water bottom is shell, grass, and mud. The old boat basin has been partially rebuilt with a new synthetic and concrete seawall but no dockage or services are available here. Holding ground in the basin is notoriously poor and is not suitable for overnight and any wind condition higher than a light breeze. Controlling depth into the channel at Shell Point at mean low tide is reported as four feet or less because of shoaling. Two spots are reported to carry only three feet at mean low water.

There are still signs posted for Shell Point Resort on the approach roads but it has been closed for over a decade and nothing remains of it. In 2007-2008, a developer bought much of the old resort with plans for upscale waterfront homes, a convention center, full service marina, shops, ramp,and condominiums. Only 14 of the homes were ever built and several of them recently sold at government auction for $350,000. A few are occupied. None of the other features were ever even begun except for the private boat ramp. There are no amenities and the only commercial dockage is at Marsh Harbor, mentioned above. There is a volunteer fire department at the north end of the community. Police protection is provided by Wakulla County Sheriff's Department.

Shell Point is home of Apalachee Bay Yacht Club with club house and pool on the northern-most canal adjacent to Marsh Harbor Marina. ABYC maintains its own website with maps, photos, weather links, and several webcams.

Important annual events include the Steven C. Smith Regatta held the last weekend of April, 4th of July fireworks display, and Memorial Day golf cart parade. Shell Point is a golf cart community and maintains a speed limit of 15 miles per hour on all streets.

Shell Point is located approximately 30 miles east of the small town of Carabelle which does have nice beaches on the west side of town.