Nova Shell Museum image

Nova Shell Museum

Tourist attraction Museum Craft store Museum of zoology

This massive display of a private seashell collection is among the world's largest of its kind. People often mention shells, museum, collection, pearls, tour,


Address

Teofilo Arcay St, Poblacion, Panglao, Bohol, Philippines

Contact

+63 926 606 9412

Rating on Google Maps

3.80 (294 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Sunday: 9 am to 4:30 pm
  • Monday: 9 am to 4:30 pm
  • Tuesday: 9 am to 4:30 pm
  • Wednesday: 9 am to 4:30 pm
  • Thursday: 9 am to 4:30 pm
  • Friday: 9 am to 4:30 pm
  • Saturday: (Lunar New Year), 9 am to 4:30 pm, Hours might differ

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: shells (32) museum (16) collection (13) pearls (10) tour (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 3/5 Daryl 1 year ago on Google • 65 reviews
    It's a unique private collection open to the public. The staff were able to arrange a large part of the collection for public viewing, and admittedly the shelves are really well laid out for your viewing pleasure, but I do feel there's room for improvement with both labeling the shell collection shelves and photoshoot opportunities. Maybe having pictures of the living animal will help pique interest better, and having better designated photo shells would have direct traffic of customers better.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Team Amparo's D. 2 years ago on Google
    Good to know more about shells. The museum looks like a big nipa hut from the outside, it's not airconditioned, shells are placed in racks, some corners have spider web, but they are neatly arranged according to size and type. Entrance fee is 100 pesos for adults and 40 pesos for kids. They have a staff that will assist you and tell you about the shells and pearls.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Fabian S. 4 months ago on Google • 111 reviews
    We have seen this museum by accident on a Google Maps Reco - it is kind of edgy and you need to bring a certain level of interest for shells. If you do then this is a no brainer to go - there are shells more than 300y old. Also very very special ones I even never heard / seen before in the internet. You can just look through it in 10-20m or being there for 1-2h if you read all captions carefully. Entrance is 150 pesos per pax. Facilities of the museum are kind of old and typical for a kind of rural place in the Philippines.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Ronald P. 1 year ago on Google • 25 reviews
    It is located about 300 meters from Panglao Market entrance fee is P100.00/ person. One can find a variety of personal collection of shells from the smallest to the biggest shells. If your shopping for pearls this is the place to be
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Moe S. 2 years ago on Google
    Nice place to visit in Panglao. Private museum owner collected all shells along 45 years
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Deanna P. 11 months ago on Google
    This is a great place for shell collectors where you can find some rare shells (that you can also buy)🐚 The museum curator is very informative and attentive and left no questions unanswered. Now we know that there are shells that also collect shells 😉 I believe this museum can contribute to the overall tourism industry in Bohol if the facilities are improved to the level like The Marine Realm of National Museum.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Efren Z. 1 year ago on Google • 311 reviews
    I have never seen a wide collection of shells in the one site. It is located near Panglao Church. The tour guide is well verse on their collection they have on display and very attentive on all our inquiries. There were no one around during our visit and had the place for ourselves. The tour is educational and good for the kids.

  • 4/5 J P. 1 year ago on Google • 140 reviews
    Worth a visit for 30 minutes or so. Very friendly staff and we learnt a lot about the different shells from them. 100 pesos is maybe a little expensive as it’s a small exhibition; 50 pesos might be a more appropriate fee. Fairy large collection of shells overall.

  • 5/5 Kim Anthony R. 1 year ago on Google • 25 reviews
    Learned more about the shells that we have been eating and shells that we should not eat. Staff will give a quick tour and show you the valuable pearls.

  • 5/5 Nina V. 1 year ago on Google • 14 reviews
    Super cool shells! Staff was eager to tour and inform us about different kinds of shells

  • 4/5 Xavier G. 6 years ago on Google • 14 reviews
    If you like seashells, then this is definitely for you. They have a vast collection of seashells and the guide was very informative; describing and providing you with a background of each of the different species and their origins. It's a pretty fun experience! Watch out for the mosquitos though! For some reason, this place is full of them.

  • 3/5 ALVIN A. 10 months ago on Google • 4 reviews
    Pretty large collection of shells but they are not arrange ang presented well, may a nice glass cabinets. I think P100 fee is too much for it. Not worth a visit.

  • 5/5 Christian O. 4 years ago on Google
    A lot of shells from smaller to huge size of different kinds. There is a tour guide that can teach on how to determine a pearl is genuine. You may also shop for some souvenirs here made of shells and genuine pearls.

  • 4/5 Villamor “Villy” A. 5 years ago on Google
    There is a lot to learn in this museum. The guides are well-versed in sharing their knowledge about shells during the tour around the museum. They teach visitors also on how to distinguish real pearls from the fake ones.

  • 3/5 Nathaniel M. 1 year ago on Google
    The museum hosts a private collection of shells that are found around the island of Bohol. there may not be other collections like this because the government has made it illegal to remove certain species from the island. The museum itself is in a state of disrepair following some typhoons and earthquakes that have ravaged the island, so it is highly suggested to donate for maintenance and upkeep. it might be boring for the average tourist but it would be very interesting for students of marine biology. The curators and attendanta have a general knowledge of the collection, but have little knowledge on specific museum pieces. The museum also sells south sea pearla and mother of pearls harvested from the island as souvenirs.

  • 3/5 Vimson A. 1 year ago on Google
    They have different kinds of shells, and i think one of the smallest shell also. You can see here also a giant shell that produce a giant pearl (like the bed of the little mermaid hehe)

  • 5/5 Ariel The E. 1 year ago on Google
    Very nice place and you will see different kinds of shells.Its more fun in the philippines

  • 4/5 Marie E. 4 years ago on Google
    Its pretty cool...you get to see shells in all shapes and sizes from different parts of the Philippines! Some are even from other countries. There's also a souvenir shop but I think some of the items there are too overpriced.

  • 5/5 Edwin A. 1 year ago on Google
    Seashells are love letters from the sand

  • 5/5 Danica Bianca L. 5 years ago on Google
    This Nova Shell Museum is owned by a diver that really collects shells from the different beaches and bodies of water he went diving in. You can see all the different shells with the place and date/year from where and when it was collected. A mini souvenir store is inside the museum. You can see and buy the authentic pearls there. T-shirts, bracelets and native bags are also available in the souvenir store.

  • 5/5 Vendula P. 7 months ago on Google • 3 reviews
    They have very nice collection of shells. We have a very nice guide there. The lady was perfect. And she provided a lot of information.

  • 5/5 Rod R. 6 months ago on Google
    I recently visited the Nova Shell Museum in Bohol, and it was an experience that far exceeded my expectations. With an entrance fee of ₱150 for adults and ₱75 for children, it's an affordable and enriching activity for all ages. The museum, open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Tuesday to Sunday, is conveniently located at Kilometer 11, Panglao Road, on the picturesque Panglao Island. One of the highlights of my visit was the stunning array of shells on display, showcasing the incredible biodiversity of the marine life in the Philippines. From common varieties to the most exquisite and expensive shells, including a tiny shell worth over Php50K that you need a magnifying glass to fully appreciate, the collection is both impressive and educational. The museum also offers a unique opportunity to learn about and purchase genuine pearls. They even demonstrate how to identify real pearls - a simple rub of two pearls producing a powdery residue is a sign of authenticity. This practical knowledge was as valuable as it was fascinating. Visiting the Nova Shell Museum is truly an extraordinary experience, especially for those who appreciate nature's wonders. It's not just a museum; it's a journey into the depths of the ocean's beauty, right on the shores of Bohol.


Call +63 926 606 9412 Open on Google Maps

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