On the first day of summer 2018, and for the third annual National Seashell Day, history was made on the shores of Fort Myers Beach, FL. On the shoreline located just behind the Outrigger Beach Resort there, the world’s largest “human seashell” was formed. Verified by a Guinness World Records adjudicator who was on-site, this feat was achieved through the cooperation of 1,093 registered participants, clad in blue, who arranged themselves into a human work of art depicting a seashell.
The Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau organized the event, and participants were encouraged to donate a canned food or nonperishable item to benefit the United Way’s support of area food banks. The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel, part of Lee County, FL, joined in the event and subsequent celebration of the Guinness World Records achievement as the reigning locale where the largest human seashell was formed.
Previously, this record was held by the Shell Oil Co. That effort consisted of 855 participants and was achieved on October 17, 2017.
Now in its third year, National Seashell Day coincides with June 21, the first day of summer 2018, as a way to spotlight the joy of shelling during a summer getaway. The only museum in the U.S. dedicated entirely to seashells can be found on Sanibel Island, exhibiting thousands of rare specimens native to Southwest Florida. Shells have long attracted artists, writers and innovators to Lee County, inspiring visitors to connect with nature by celebrating these gifts from the sea.
