Staying on Cayo Costa. Off-grid living to hunt for seashells!

[@trenttan3779]

That sunrise is out of this world! Thanks for sharing!❤ It sure is nice to have the island all to yourself practically! Happy New Year! Hope to see a lot more in 2024! ❤

[@SWFBeachLife]

Happy New Year to you too!

[@joang.cavanna2046]

Flying birds do have hollow bones. That was a big bone! Neat.

[@denisem6754]

Wow, how fun is that? A beach house on a practically deserted island! Great video, Happy New Year!

[@SWFBeachLife]

I know right? Happy New Year to you too!

[@thelazysageranch]

By watching your lovely channel, you made my dreams come true. We are now just leaving Florida and did we go shelling, thanks to you! Our trip on the Hemingway Shuttle to Keewaydin was sadly canceled due to weather. They wanted to know how we found them and we name dropped your channel. They were so excited to hear it was you!Captiva, Sanibel, Fort Myers, Bonita Beach, Juno Beach and St. Augustine. My heart is so full. I’ll be sharing on our TH-cam channel soon. Happy New Year with many shelling blessings!❤️🦔🤠

[@SWFBeachLife]

Subscribed! I would enjoy seeing someone else go exploring in my backyard. I can't wait to see what you found!

[@thelazysageranch]

@@SWFBeachLife I was so excited! Your content is true to life! Just uploaded our trip and thank you for all you do!❤️❤️🦔🤠

[@solaceinshelling6552]

This is an absolutely PHENOMENAL episode - I think my favorite of yours! 💙
Cayo Costa is very close to my heart. Tenting at the campground, filming the stars, and the experience of being the first person on the beach to see the beautiful shell bounty, has been one of my absolute favorite past times since 2014 when I first found out about this island. I cannot wait until the state park, and campground open again in the future.
The way in which you story-tell here is captivating. The gorgeous sunrise, the shells(Golden Olive!)... just wow friend! Super excited to see part 2 😃

[@SWFBeachLife]

That is so sweet of you! Thank you so very much for all the compliments. Wish I could have filmed the night sky. It was beautiful! I hope I get the opportunity to go back!

[@myirisheyesaresmiling5037]

That sunrise is canvas worthy! I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more beautiful one. Wow!

[@SWFBeachLife]

Same! Now if I can just catch the green flash of a sunset!

[@myirisheyesaresmiling5037]

@@SWFBeachLife no kidding, you could sell prints of it and other beach beauties you find. I’d buy them!

[@leert2698]

That sunrise was awe inspiring ! I could easily see me dragging a heavy duty bag with me to get those outstanding shells. Haha. I know, we don’t need to be greedy. Happy new year everyone !

[@SWFBeachLife]

Happy New Year to you too! 🎉

[@dianerichmond7105]

How wonderful to be able to take your time and enjoy a pretty much private shelling experience! Those inflated sea biscuits were cool--now I'm going to need to read all about them! Loved all of your finds! Hope your 2024 is the best ever!

[@SWFBeachLife]

I hope your 2024 is awesome as well!

[@theresapapola2378]

I want to go for the sea biscuits, potato, urchin, etc!! 😂 ...and I, too, love a Calico Clam!!!

[@bonnerdebbie]

Stunning sunrise!! Yes Sharmon a lot of birds have hollow bones, especially those that spend most of the time in the air. That was a lovely place to stay especially with all the seashells right outside the door. Thank you. Happy and Healthy New Year!

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thanks for the bone info!

[@guadalupeknippen528]

Thank you for a year of great visits to the beautiful beaches in Florida. Happy New Year 🎉🎊

[@SWFBeachLife]

Happy New Year to you too! 🎉

[@kathleenabrahams9687]

I love going along with you on your adventures. Let's hope that 2024 is just as adventurous. Happy New Year🎉🎉

[@SWFBeachLife]

Happy New Year to you too! 🎉

[@onlyjesussaves840]

Those little birds are called Sandpipers. They are so adorable. :)

[@SWFBeachLife]

Of course! There is a little Disney short called "Piper" - it's ADORABLE!

[@sharronunger7053]

Sunrise spectacular. Very short but wow

[@robertjean7705]

Your videos make me so happy. I live in the Pacific Northwest. Our Oregon beaches don't have the beautiful shells like you have.

[@SWFBeachLife]

I am SO spoiled to live here. We have tons of island and even more shells!

[@helenfritzie]

Such a beautiful place and that sunrise...holy moly! Love all the great shell finds and identification of them and info you share! Blessings and all the best for more great shelling days! 😊

[@maggieslifeisawildride512]

Gorgeous! And we have those white pelicans in Wisconsin and it's quite the sight to see them moving through our state in large flocks. One year during migration we were greeted by two pelicans on the sidewalk across one our cities' bridges. It's unreal how big they are! Oh...and I hate to say that was probably a pelican arm bone (a humerus).

[@kellywelter524]

We have them migrating through in the fall in Iowa too. So fun to see!

[@SWFBeachLife]

They are our 2nd largest bird in the USA - they are HUGE! Thanks for the bone info!

[@maggieslifeisawildride512]

You're welcome! @@SWFBeachLife

[@kathyjund7212]

What a fabulous opportunity this was provided to you.. you reach some people with your videos.. s lifetime chance to live beachside.. and such awesome treasuries.. I could go there in a hearbeat.. never needing electricity ever! Lol... thank you for taking us along!!

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thanks for coming along with me Kathy!

[@millabird]

Enjoyed this walk and the spectacular sunrise! I was smiling every time you mentioned the temperature…50 degrees is my favorite and preferred temperature for beachcombing. 😊

[@SWFBeachLife]

I think 80 is my preferred temperature but I'll take 60! 50 is just a little too cold. 🥶

[@Marilynlovesebiking]

The sea potato or sea biscuit urchin was interesting. Not really pretty but unusual. That giant shark eye is amazing.

[@melissab9209]

Red sky in morning, sailors' warning! Beautiful tho!!!

[@sandeepettit696]

What a dream come true. God bless you❤

[@lynncooper1781]

Awesome your having fun,the sunrise so moving.great video.❤

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thank you 🤗

[@frannyaitch]

Wow what a wonderful place to rest and relax. I’d love to find myself there 🙂. You lucky, lucky girl 🙌🏻

[@SWFBeachLife]

The luckiest!!

[@saraclark8611]

Absolutely speechless!! What an awesome home you had the opportunity to stay at, to have the place to yourself priceless! And OMG that sunset! 😳 😍😍😍

[@SWFBeachLife]

I am one lucky gal!!

[@surrealist1976]

Happy New Year, thanks for sharing your paradise´s ❤

[@SWFBeachLife]

Happy New Year to you too! 🎉

[@surrealist1976]

Hope a Rose Nautilus natural conch will propel its way to your finds 🙂

[@jamie6580]

Thank you for the last beach trip of the year! I hope you have a Happy New Year 🎉

[@SWFBeachLife]

Happy New Year to you too! 🎉

[@doreenflannery8270]

I watch this on New Year day. Wonderful way to start the year. Thank you for doing such a w 23:56 Wonderful 24:04 job. Enjoyed everything . Wish I was there instead of Indiana. Take care

[@carrieeasley3995]

That would be a dream come true. Every time my husband says let’s move, I tell him I want to move to Florida. He changes his mind, then. That sunrise was absolutely gorgeous!

[@SWFBeachLife]

Show him this video - maybe he will change his mind 😂

[@juliamaul7334]

Lovely!❤❤❤

[@Jean2235177]

I live down the road from a wildlife refuge that white pelicans migrate to in Winter. It’s spectacular to see them en masse (along with sandhill and whooping cranes). They are all just fascinating to watch.

[@SWFBeachLife]

Oh you're so lucky!! I love those birds!

[@iLoveFloridaLiving]

One of my favorite areas to visit! I will have to look into staying there☀☀☀

[@mariejung73]

Wow! That sunrise!

[@terrih7250]

Yay baby’s ear!

[@marciaslay1149]

That sunrise was beautiful, what an adventure to have an island to yourself, the shells are great too, Happy New Years Eve and wishing you the best in 2024, hope its exciting and shelltastic, until next Sunday enjoy

[@SWFBeachLife]

Happy New Year to you too! 🎉

[@Bigmomma907ak]

OMG! How much fun! Those olives were amazing! 🤩

[@meganmarielittle5338]

Yes thats a bird bone, they're hollow so they can fly easier.❤

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thank you!

[@paulettenewton3370]

That is a beautiful beach house ❤

[@SWFBeachLife]

I think so too!

[@marthademarco3211]

lucky you to got to stay in this beautiful place!

[@SWFBeachLife]

The luckiest!!

[@francesdouglas333]

Way to go......Thanks for the beach share.

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thanks for watching!

[@teresautterback1492]

What great accomodations! Thanks for the referral.

[@AngieJames4172]

Hi Sharmin! The light may be low, but the beauty still shines through nicely on the shells to me! OH WOW!!!! The Sea Biscuit is *so dang cool*. Speaking of Sea Urchins, I was in Florida, walking along on the wet sand, barefoot. Not a thing on top of the sand in sight. I took a step and *OUCH!!* A Sea Urchin was buried under the wet sand and had gotten me good in the arch of my foot. Do you know every spot that I was poked by the spines remained the color-ish of the spines for months. It was the neatest thing! Now I would not advise just going out and doing it for that reason alone LOL because it was painful. But I thought that was pretty amazing. And no I did not become sick from it either. And yes I kept going barefoot because, it's Florida for one and where I live there is something in the sand here that makes me break out horribly and itch like crazy! What a fantastic beach house. I'm excited for your next video, this one was awesome, as always!

[@SWFBeachLife]

I have been "stung" by an urchin when I was visiting Jamaica. That was one painful sting I tell you! I'm glad your encounter wasn't too bad. I got a fish bone stuck in the side of my foot so I wear shoes all the time now. If I can't walk I can't make videos!! 😃

[@VondaBrewer]

OMG that lettered olive at 15:54 min mark that " didn't pass the so called shine test"..lol..... WAS so BEAUTIFIU! I I was saying, OMG OH NO SHE didn't put it back? I' know you probably paint those sand dollars with white paint and glue for crafts. BUT, that jumbo olive that was so gorgoues can easily have SHINE with a coat of Clear nail polish! I think that shell was exceptional! I can't believe you rejected it! Tear tear..... I still love ya, though! But, OMG..........😰😭😱

[@SWFBeachLife]

I am SO SPOILED living here! I have an entire jar full of olives, so I can be picky. Now the shiny ones...those I can not leave at the beach! 😂

[@jaynethurston823]

🎉Happy New Year 🎉 wishing you all the best in 2024 and many more shelling adventures!! 🇨🇦

[@SWFBeachLife]

Same to you!

[@gingerlampley2978]

That sunrise took my breath away, God’s glory thank you for sharing love your videos and all the beautiful shells you find…

[@JerrySmith-jm2hu]

Very nice video, nice house can't wait for more.
Happy New Year .

[@lindaweges8624]

Beautiful!

[@kimmistretta4895]

Awesome! Thank you!!!!

[@lornafinch8855]

The sunrise was stunningly beautiful. Worth going just to experience that alone.

[@SWFBeachLife]

It really was. I'm so grateful I was able to capture it so I can enjoy it over and over!

[@emilyneal7888]

Glorious! And by yourself! Heaven!

[@cindyhalloran5049]

Thank you Sharmon! Thank you for the ripple-effect of joy that you bring with your videos. I appreciate you!

[@SWFBeachLife]

Hugs beach friend! ❤️

[@yomama8873]

Looks amazing 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩💖💖💖💖

[@SWFBeachLife]

It was! 💜

[@dmcdaniel2009]

wOOHOO. I AM SOOOO EXCITED !!!!!!! HOW NICE CAN THE HOMEOWNERS BE, IT WILL BE A NICE NEW YEAR WITH FOLKS LIKE THAT !! GOD BLESS YOU ALL. AMEN AND AMEN ❤🧡💛💚💙💜🤎

[@lindawellinghoff5432]

Great fun!

[@kandychapman5578]

Let’s see your bag of shells 😀

[@cindygonnella2179]

So beautiful there!

[@SWFBeachLife]

It really is!

[@debblair5761]

Beautiful way to start the day! Happy New Year! Awesome shells

[@SWFBeachLife]

Happy New Year to you too!

[@suzannebraden9671]

Happy New Year! Great location too. I just got done telling family about Cayo Costa...and wanted to camp there.
Sunrise was gorgeous!! I'm jealous, again, lol. Blessings to you and your family for a healthy happy new year and. ❤

[@SWFBeachLife]

Happy New Year to you too! 🎉

[@aleciagrant4114]

This is so cool 😊

[@carriechristie9058]

So envious😊

[@deborahcorreale352]

That sunrise was phenonomal and waht a cute house! I woudl stay there in a heart beat!!!!

[@cintiapollock2486]

wow this was pretty cool!

[@SnowPink90]

I loved the sunrise!! There’s no way to outdo that one!! What a beautiful place to stay!! It’s really homey and cozy and most importantly, it’s right on the beach something that I would love.
I haven’t said it yet, but I hope that 2024 is filled with laughter, love and plenty of seashells for you and your family!!
Thanks for such a beautiful video and I agree with you, the baby ear, that’s my favourite shell too. Remember in your opening when you started, you had a baby Ear and I always loved seeing it at the opening of the video.
Have a great week and take care!!🥰🥰🐬🐬🩵🩵

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thanks Pam! ❤️

[@badmom2goody29]

Spectacular scenery and beautiful shells, what more can you ask for!!!!!

[@nikoletastavropoulou5515]

Wonderful shells 🐚 ❤️. Happy New Year😊.

[@SWFBeachLife]

Happy New year to you too! 🎉

[@nikoletastavropoulou5515]

@@SWFBeachLife Thank you 🫠

[@janiebennett5645]

Ohhh SHAR!! I am so very excited for you that you were able to stay on that lovely island of Cayo Costa. I've always wanted to go when I lived in Florida. What an incredible adventure and to look out your window and see that amazing vista!! WOW!! Another awesome day at the beach!! I can almost feel the sand under my toes and smell the salt water spray on my face. The sunrise was glorious! Your videos make it seem like it's just the two of us puttering around looking for beautiful shells. Thank you, again, so much for taking me along. See you next Sunday, my beach loving friend. ❤

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thank you for puttering around the beach with me!!!

[@janiebennett5645]

@@SWFBeachLife my favorite place to be!

[@debklock7655]

Wow! What a sunrise! ❤..thanks for sharing your adventure with us! 🥰…Happy New Year to you!🥳

[@SWFBeachLife]

Happy New Year to you too! 🎉

[@laurannmucha5439]

You always have inspiring and relaxing videos of the gulf coast. Thank you so much for taking the time for all of them.❤

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thank you for taking the time to watch!

[@carmaela2689]

Beautiful home. Gorgeous sunset. Seems like just my kind of place....away from people!😊

[@SWFBeachLife]

If you want to get away from people - that is the place to do it!

[@karenuntz6514]

Have a Happy New Year Sharmon. 🎉😊

[@SWFBeachLife]

Happy New Year to you too! 🎉

[@lisagarrett6966]

What a beautiful sunrise !! Do you ever see alligators and crocodiles? Thank you for sharing and Happy New Year !!🎉!

[@SWFBeachLife]

I only see the gators inland when they are sunning themselves in the winter. Other than that I don't get to see them that often.

[@fields-n-feathers]

Oh, the sunrise.
💛❤️🧡💛🧡💛❤️🧡

[@SWFBeachLife]

I know right?

[@theninjaminx9704]

That sunrise was beautiful and the accommodation looked awesome. Currently watching this whilst storm Henk is blowing a gale here in the UK. Thank you for sharing and taking me to paradise xx ❤❤❤❤

[@SWFBeachLife]

Goodness, be safe during that storm! And thanks for watching my little beach trip!

[@gailyahodnett6743]

I haven't watched your (or any) videos lately. I have really missed your adventures and your narration. If the homeowner needs others to stay at his place, I'm volunteering!! That sunrise is phenomenal!! Thank you for taking us along with you!!

[@SWFBeachLife]

LOL - I already "volunteered" to go back in the summer!

[@lesamonroe208]

That sun rise was spectacular and all the beautiful shells thanks for taking us with you

[@nancycross2228]

Absolutely Stunning ! So.. peaceful. Nice finds !! Thank you !!

[@user-wn4on3io3b]

Happy New 2024 shelling year !

[@SWFBeachLife]

Happy new year!

[@marciegill52]

Thanks! I Loved it! So Beautiful!

[@katrinalodge6055]

Happy new year!!! Thanks for the shelling adventure

[@SWFBeachLife]

Happy New Year to you too! 🎉

[@lorihoezee5353]

Thanks!

[@SWFBeachLife]

Lori you are so good to me - thank you! 🙏🏼

[@jeffpepple3354]

Sharmon, thank you for sharing another of your magical shelling trips! When I accidentally found, then watched, your kayak trip to Dickman's Island, I was immediately drawn to shelling. Now, my wife and I are addicted! By simply being on the lovely beaches and mesmerized by the ocean's waves and music, I think it's natural to be addicted to it. That deformed Lettered Olive, the almost Golden Olive, all the attached Calico Clams, et al, excite me for our time there in three weeks! Thank you for recommending Florida's Living Beaches, it is a great reference source. Happy New Year and Happy Shelling in 2024!

[@SWFBeachLife]

That book will serve you well for many years! I still use it all the time. I'm glad you have discovered Florida's amazing beaches too. I had no idea how amazing they can be until I moved here. Happy New Year!

[@Jean2235177]

What a once in a lifetime opportunity! I’m so excited you got to experience that… and thank you for sharing it. That sunrise. ❤❤❤❤❤ I’ve shelled Cayo Costa before (15+ years ago) and it can be a treasure trove of lovelies. Being able to stay there and have the island to yourself… wow. I’d be in total heaven. 😊

[@Jean2235177]

How were the noseeums? I hope they weren’t a bother for you.

[@SWFBeachLife]

There were zero bugs to bother us! It was a little chilly for them and that wind definitely kept them away!

[@ginnysheehan4187]

love your videos..moved to Nebraska after living in SW Florida for 10 yrs so you take me right back there..to the Beach! Thank you! And of course Im a shell collector!

[@SWFBeachLife]

My BFF lives in Wayne, NE. She's a shell collector too! ❤️🐚

[@sherrimagness9040]

loved the accommodations ..looking forward to a possible visit with my AIrb&b membership

[@SWFBeachLife]

That's awesome!!

[@christinevause4770]

Happy New Year from Scotland. Thank you once again for your amazing film, the sunset was out of this world.
I hope 2024 will bring you and your community in Fort Myers Beach the best of everything and pray that all the help that people need is forthcoming.
Good luck to you all.

[@SWFBeachLife]

Thank you so much Scotland Beach Friend! May 2024 be amazing to you as well!

[@elisamaurerbailey2787]

That’s so cool of him to let you stay there! What a beautiful island!

[@karleenpage5979]

What a wonderful gift! Looks like a lovely place to visit! Can't wait to see next week! Hugs from Va!

[@luana1600]

Awesome video, as usual. The babies ear, kittens paw, and well, just all your finds are so cool. Shelling in Florida is at the top of my bucket list!

[@coreensmith907]

Totally Stunning!!! Cannot wait for my turn on the bucket list, to come and visit the Florida beaches. Thanks to your weekly-gorgeous videos, I have quite a list to discover. Keep 'em coming, beautiful 🧞‍♀

[@brendagroff8478]

FUN, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

[@miamarkus5504]

I go to the Carolinas every year and I find so many baby's ears in so many colors

[@SWFBeachLife]

I want to go so bad!!! They must not be very sought after up there since they're so common, but I would go bananas!!

[@CellebrateLife]

Another great video! Happy New Year!

[@SWFBeachLife]

Happy New Year to you too! 🎉

[@tammymoore-kloss9680]

Wow what an awesome adventure!! So happy you had that opportunity and so many beautiful treasures 😮❤

[@pathoward5721]

Thank you Sharmon! I finally purchased a spiny jewel box from you, hinged. I got it for my daughter, who has a house 🏠 in SOUTH HAMPTON,N.Y., for Christmas 🎅 and she loves it! Love ❤️ this place, thanks 🙏 for sharing!!!❤❤❤

[@SWFBeachLife]

I hope you had lovely Christmas and I hope you enjoy the shells!

[@denisesanborn9965]

Happy New Year from KY!

[@SWFBeachLife]

Happy New Year to you too! 🎉

[@pattyellen1954]

😊 Peace ✌️ ☮️ 🕊

[@fredamoore1743]

Beautiful island and shells. Have not been there yet but on my bucket list. That was super nice of the owner to let you stay. That's a dream. Your own private beach!! I love those sea biscuit things. I could do a week there. Let me add that to my bucket list!! Happy New Year Sharmon!! Look forward to another year of your beachy goodness!!

[@SWFBeachLife]

Happy New Year to you too! 🎉

[@pennyskelly8657]

Happy new year thanks for the walk

[@SWFBeachLife]

Happy New Year to you too! 🎉

[@leslyeschoenhuth1107]

What a wonderful adventure. Sorry the wind blew so hard. Lovely shells. Happy New Year & thank you for the stunning Shelling. I hope 2024 will bring you Health & Happiness. Thank You!

[@SWFBeachLife]

I hope 2024 is wonderful to you too!

[@maryannkom299]

Birds have hollow bones so yes! I’m sure it was from a large shore bird. Maybe a pelican or something else!

[@SWFBeachLife]

I'm thinking pelican. Those birds can get big!