
Shell Island has three bathing beaches. Two small bathing beaches that are only available when the tide is out and the main Bathing beach at the south end of the 'island' that runs for 6 miles down to Barmouth. The South bathing beach is backed by fine sand dunes. The north beach is known as the dinghy beach as it is possible to launch small dinghies from it. The small central beach is the quietest and nestles amongst the rocky foreshore unnoticed by most people. In high summer these bathing beaches are probably the most popular private beaches along the coast.
As Spring arrives so do the wild flowers. Waiting for the wintering sheep to leave; first up are the bluebells, grassy banks turning blue just for a few days. Yellow corners where primroses take over. Then because the land has been left to its own devices for the last 25 years the whole island becomes smothered with wild flowers and aromatic roses growing side by side with tangles of wild strawberries, spiny restharrow, and germander speedwell. Hedges burst with foxgloves standing alongside yellow archangel, walls with navelwort clinging to the crevices. In June, the estuary turns a shade of pink as sea thrift blooms, before the big tides of July.