I believe it is illegal to take any shells or coral home, unless you have bought it from a store and have a receipt. I am sure they would want you to put them in luggage, if so.

"Leave only footprints and take only photographs and memories.

I may be wrong, but I believe that it is illegal to remove anything from the National Park Beaches

Hello Hilary,

It is illegal to collect shells from beaches in the US Virgin Islands in general. The inspectors at the airport customs/fish&wildlife check points may confiscate them if they are found in your luggage. If you buy shells in stores, keep the receipt with the shells in case you are asked about them.

--Islander

I've been to the island many times and taken shells home. I have never had any trouble with airport checkpoints. Just don't take shells from any National Park Beaches. I have even brought home water and sand so you should be fine.

Why didn't I think of that!?! Everytime I go down to the VI, I'll just bring back a few gallons of the Caribbean and some sand. After 50 or so trips, my backyard will be North St. Thomas. 😉

Just because you haven't been caught doesn't make it any LESS illegal. If everyone broke the law like that, then how would our beaches look? Devoid of shells? What would the critters do when they outgrew their current shells? Look for a can to move into? The old addage "take only pictures and leave only footprints" applies everywhere here, NOT just in the parks. Just MHO....and the law, BTW.

that water idea is totally way awesome!

I have found it rather hard to find shells on the beaches of Stt. There are a few Bays on the northside of the island that have a few if you are lucky. The Bays are tricky to find as the roads are winding on the north and it is easy to get lost and the roads are not marked. Good Luck!

If there aren't many shells left, that's probably another really good reason why you shouldn't take them.