Wakulla County·Nature Coast·Gulf Coast
Is it safe to swim at Shell Point Beach today?
Latest DOH sample is GOOD
The latest Florida DOH sample at Shell Point Beach measured 10 CFU/100mL, which is in the good range. That is a positive sign, but it is still a sample from Monday, August 31, 2026 rather than a live reading.
Keep it handy on this device for your next conditions check.
Latest sample on page
Monday, August 31, 2026
This is the latest DOH beach-water sample we found for Shell Point Beach.
Bacteria reading
10 CFU/100mL
Florida DOH classifies results above 70 CFU/100mL as poor. Lower is better.
Recent-sample context
8% poor results
Use the current sample first, then use up to 12 latest displayed samples as context.
This page helps you make a better beach decision, not just read a badge. If it has rained heavily since Monday, August 31, 2026, lean conservative even though the latest sample is in the good range.
Start with the sample date
The number on this page is only as fresh as the last sample. If the date feels old for your trip, be more skeptical.
Use history as a tie-breaker
Two beaches can both look good today, but the one with fewer past spikes is usually the safer bet on an uncertain weather day.
Rain beats the badge
Stormwater runoff can change conditions faster than Florida's routine testing schedule, especially near inlets, canals, and urban drains.
Shell Point Beach beach conditions and water quality today
If you searched for Shell Point Beach water quality or beach conditions today, the latest Florida DOH sample shown on this page is 10 CFU/100mL from Monday, August 31, 2026. This site currently classifies that sample as GOOD.
Latest sample on this page: Monday, August 31, 2026
This sample is 10 days older than the freshest update currently on this site.
How Shell Point Beach compares nearby today
Shell Point Beach currently ranks #2 of 4 monitored nearby beaches on this page based on current status, recent poor-sample rate, and sample freshness.
If you want the stronger backup right now, compare Carrabelle Beach first.
Compare Shell Point Beach with Carrabelle BeachYour best next step from this page
Compare Carrabelle Beach next
Carrabelle Beach currently looks like the stronger nearby alternative on this page.
Use Wakulla County as your local backup map
Shell Point Beach currently ranks #2 of 2 monitored page results in Wakulla County by current status, recent poor-sample rate, and sample freshness. Use the county page to compare the rest of the local beaches in one place.
Plan from Tallahassee
If you are deciding from a city trip, the city guide makes it easier to compare distance, current status, and fallback options together.
Use the right page for the decision you're making
These deeper views help when you need more than the same-day badge.
Track record
Open Shell Point Beach history
Use this when today's badge looks okay but you want to review whether Shell Point Beach has been one of the steadier options.
Backup plan
Compare Carrabelle Beach and other backups
Use this first if Shell Point Beach gives you pause and you want the strongest nearby alternative ranked by current status, risk history, and distance.
Weather risk
Use the after-rain view for Shell Point Beach
This sample is already 10 days behind the freshest site data. If rain hit after this sample, start with the stricter after-rain view.
Warning signs
Check recent spikes before you go
Use this to see how recent the warning signs are. The displayed history still includes a poor sample on May 11.
Recent samples show a steadier option
Shell Point Beach has a strong recent-sample track record in this dataset. That makes a dry-weather good sample more reassuring, but it still does not override recent rain, runoff, or brown water.
Most recent poor sample shown here: May 11, 2026 (78 CFU/100mL)
Freshest sample anywhere on this site: September 10, 2026
Sample source details
- Source station
- SHELL POINT
- Station ID
- 297
- Distance from beach point
- About 1.3 miles
- Match method
- Name and location match
- Data source
- Florida DOH Healthy Beaches Program via Water Atlas API
Monitoring station names can differ from beach signs or local nicknames. Use this source detail when you want to match the page back to the underlying Florida DOH sample record.
Water Quality History — Latest Samples
Sample source: Shell Point Beach
Values in CFU/100mL. Green = Good (≤35.4), Yellow = Moderate (35.5–70.4), Red = Poor (≥70.5)
If it rained recently, treat this page as stale faster
Florida DOH testing is routine, not continuous. Heavy rain can push bacteria higher through runoff before the next posted sample catches it. For Shell Point Beach, wait at least 72 hours after heavy rain and be extra careful around inlets, canals, storm drains, or brown water. Read the rain guide.
About Shell Point Beach
A small Gulf Coast beach in the Big Bend region near Tallahassee, Shell Point offers quiet shores, fishing, and access to the St. Marks Wildlife Refuge.
Where Shell Point Beach sits in Wakulla County
Shell Point Beach currently ranks #2 of 2 monitored page results in Wakulla County by current status, recent poor-sample rate, and sample freshness.
Where Shell Point Beach sits in Nature Coast
Shell Point Beach currently ranks #4 of 6 monitored page results in the Nature Coast group by current status, recent poor-sample rate, and sample freshness.
Compare with Carrabelle BeachKeep Exploring This Coastline
Use the county, regional, and city guide pages to compare more beaches before you commit to one stop.
Compare Nearby Beaches Before You Go
These nearby beaches are sorted by current status, historical spike rate, and sample recency so you can compare backup options before you drive.
Cape San Blas Beach
Gulf County · Nearby station tested Sep 1, 2026
Nearby-station context from Cape Palms Public Access, about 3.9 mi away; not an exact-beach sample.
Carrabelle Beach
Franklin County · Tested Aug 31, 2026
St. George Island Beach
Franklin County · Tested Aug 31, 2026
Read Before You Go
Is It Safe to Swim After Rain?
Wait times, runoff risk, and when to skip the water
Understanding Advisories
What the badges, thresholds, and warnings really mean
Cleanest Beaches in Florida
Compare the lowest poor-sample shares in the displayed history
How Bacteria Testing Works
How sampling works and why “latest” is not the same as live
Flesh-Eating Bacteria & Vibrio
Why this enterococcus badge does not test for Vibrio
Disclaimer: Water quality data is sourced from the Florida Department of Health Healthy Beaches Program. Conditions can change rapidly. This website provides informational guidance only, not official real-time clearance — always check with Florida DOH for official beach conditions. Safe to Swim Florida is an independent project and is not affiliated with any government agency.