The Seashell Sex Position: Go Deeper Than You Ever Thought Possible

What Exactly Is the Seashell Sex Position?

The first time my partner folded me into the seashell position, I thought I knew what deep penetration felt like. Then they hit an angle that made me gasp so loudly our neighbor texted to check if everything was okay. (It was. Very, very okay.)

Seashells aren’t just for collecting at the beach—this one’s for collecting orgasms that’ll make your toes curl so hard they might cramp.

The seashell position is missionary’s hotter, more intense cousin that’s not afraid to go deep—literally. You lie on your back and pull your legs up and back toward your chest. Your partner gets on top and enters you from above, with full access to thrust deeper than you thought your body could handle. It’s called the “seashell” because your body curls up like a shell, but there’s nothing shy about what happens next.

I tried this after thinking classic missionary had nothing left to offer, and holy hell, was I wrong. The angle transforms every thrust into a direct hit on your most sensitive spots—suddenly those areas that usually get just a passing hello are getting a full-on conversation that leaves you breathless.

Sex researchers have found that folding the legs back can dramatically increase contact with deep erogenous zones during penetration, and that positions creating steeper angles reliably heighten pleasure sensations, according to a 2021 PLOS ONE survey of 3,017 U.S. women. This helps explain why this position makes so many people see stars and forget their own names.

Why the Seashell Position Will Blow Your Mind

Let’s cut to the chase. Here’s why you need to try this position tonight:

It’s Deep. Ridiculously Deep. When your legs are folded back, your partner can penetrate you at an angle and depth that’ll make your vision blur around the edges. For vaginal play, your most sensitive spots get direct, intense contact with every thrust. The first time I tried this, it felt like discovering a secret room in a house I’d lived in for years—except this room was filled with sensations that made my back arch involuntarily.

The Eye Contact Is Intensely Hot You’re face-to-face, breathing each other’s air, watching every expression of pleasure cross their features. It’s primal. It’s intimate. It’s fucking hot. You can kiss, bite, whisper filthy things in each other’s ears—all while experiencing that incredible depth. It’s like missionary with the intensity dial cranked to maximum and the safety limits removed.

Your Partner Controls Everything (In a Good Way) The top partner runs the show here—they control how deep, how hard, how fast. If power dynamics get you hot, this position delivers in spades. For the receiver, there’s something incredibly erotic about being folded up and taken, completely at your partner’s mercy while you watch their pupils dilate with every deep thrust.

Perfect Access for Extra Stimulation Unlike positions where your most sensitive external areas get forgotten, the seashell keeps everything accessible. Your partner can reach down to touch you, or you can take matters into your own hands. Combining that deep penetration with external stimulation is a one-way ticket to the kind of orgasm that leaves you temporarily speechless.

How to Master the Seashell Position

Ready to try it? Here’s how to fold yourself into pleasure:

If You’re on the Bottom:

1. Lie on your back somewhere comfortable (bed, sofa, floor with cushions—wherever the mood strikes)
2. Pull your knees toward your chest—as far as feels incredible, not as far as looks impressive
3. Either hold your legs in place or let your partner support them
4. Don’t be a hero—speak up if something needs adjusting

One night I tried this after months of regular missionary, and I swear the look on my partner’s face when they felt how different—and incredibly tight—the angle was… priceless. They actually gasped, “What the hell…?” before trailing off into sounds I’d never heard them make before.

If You’re on Top:

1. Kneel between your partner’s legs and help guide them into position
2. Support your weight on your hands beside their upper body
3. Line yourself up and enter slowly—the angle is intense, so give them time to adjust
4. Start with gentle thrusts before you unleash your full power
5. Watch their face for those “oh my god” expressions that tell you you’re hitting exactly the right spot

I’ve been on both sides of this position, and when I’m on top, the visual of seeing my partner folded up and completely surrendered to the sensation is almost as arousing as the physical feeling of that incredible tightness.

BSP Pro Tips:

• Place a pillow under the receiving partner’s hips—it’ll change the angle from great to earth-shattering
• Keep lube within reach—deeper means more friction
• If flexibility is limited, hold just behind the knees instead of going full pretzel
• Switch back to simple missionary positions when muscles need a break, then dive back in

Seashell Position Variations for Every Body

Not bendy enough for the full seashell? These variations deliver similar pleasure without requiring circus performer flexibility:

The Half Shell

Lift just one leg back while keeping the other extended. You still get extra depth without feeling like you’re auditioning for Cirque du Soleil. I actually prefer this version sometimes because I can focus more on the waves of pleasure and less on wondering if my hamstring is about to snap. This variation is similar to the Criss Cross position, which also uses asymmetrical leg positioning for deeper angles.

The Supported Shell

Use pillows like your life depends on it. Stack them under your hips, place them under your lower back, use them to prop up your legs. The less work your muscles do maintaining the position, the more you can focus on the sensations rolling through you. For extra support, try positioning yourself similarly to the Elevated Missionary variation, where strategic pillow placement creates the perfect angle.

The Lazy Shell

Instead of bringing your legs all the way to your chest, simply tuck them up at whatever angle feels good. Your partner can kneel rather than lean forward, giving them more leverage for controlled thrusting. Perfect for marathon sessions where comfort meets intensity.

If You Love the Seashell, Try These Next

The Butterfly Position

Like the seashell but you’re at the edge of the bed with your legs on your standing partner’s shoulders. It’s deep, it’s dominant, and it gives your partner even more thrusting power while you surrender completely to the sensation.

The Eagle Position

Another missionary upgrade where you spread your legs wide instead of folding them back. Different sensation, same intense eye contact and that crucial face-to-face connection that makes missionary variations so addictive.

The Anvil Position

Think of this as the seashell’s more extreme sibling. Your legs go even further back, opening you up completely. Only attempt if you’re pretty flexible or don’t mind walking funny tomorrow.

BSP’s Game-Changing Tips for Mind-Blowing Seashell

These insider secrets will take your seashell experience from good to earth-shattering:

1. Warm up properly: Nothing kills the mood faster than a mid-thrust leg cramp. Take your time with foreplay and loosen up those legs. Hip flexor stretches like these make it way easier to pull your knees back and really go deep—no pulled muscles, just pulled moans.
2. Talk dirty: Add your voice to the mix. “I’ve never felt you this deep before” or “I can see every expression on your face when you hit that spot” will send the temperature soaring.
3. Lube generously: The deeper angle creates more friction, so be absurdly generous with lubricant. When you think you’ve used enough, double it. Your body will thank you.
4. Master the pillow hack: A pillow under the receiving partner’s hips transforms this position from “that feels nice” to “holy hell, what is happening to my body right now?”
5. Add vibration: Combine deep penetration with external vibration and you create a perfect storm of sensation that can leave you literally shaking.

The Bottom Line: This Shell Will Rock Your World

The seashell position is missionary that went to finishing school and came back with a leather jacket and a motorcycle. It takes everything you thought you knew about face-to-face sex and transforms it into an experience that’ll leave you breathless, trembling, and wondering why the hell you didn’t try this sooner.

Does it ask a little more of your body than just lying there? Sure. But when the reward is the kind of deep, targeted pleasure that makes your vision blur and your breath catch, you’ll find flexibility you never knew you had. I’ve seen the most inflexible partners suddenly discover they’re practically gymnasts when proper motivation is applied.

BSP Certified: At Best Sexy Positions, we don’t just theorize about these techniques—we’ve field-tested every angle, variation, and modification to ensure what we recommend actually delivers mind-blowing results. Try another BSP-certified position tonight and send us a mental thank-you when you’re lying there afterward, completely satisfied and slightly amazed at what your body just experienced.

Your Burning Questions About the Seashell Position

How exactly is this different from regular missionary? Think of regular missionary as a bicycle and the seashell as a motorcycle. They’ll both get you there, but one does it with a lot more power and excitement. The folded legs completely transform the angle of entry, letting your partner hit depths and spots that regular missionary couldn’t reach. It’s not just deeper—it’s targeted, intense, and capable of hitting areas you might not even know could feel that good.

I’m about as flexible as a wooden board. Can I still try this? Absolutely! The Instagram-perfect version with ankles behind ears is just one way to do it. The real-world version where you fold your legs back as far as feels good works just as well. Remember: pillows are the unsung heroes of great sex.

My partner and I have size differences. Will this still work? Whether there’s a significant height difference, weight difference, or other variations, the seashell can be adapted. That’s the beauty of this position—it’s infinitely customizable. More pillows, adjusted angles, different leg positions—experiment until you find your perfect configuration.

Does this work for anal too? The seashell is fantastic for anal play. The folded position provides direct access and creates an angle that can make anal easier and more pleasurable for the receiving partner. Just follow the sacred commandment: use abundant lubrication, then add more when you think you’ve used enough.

What if I have back issues? Approach with caution but don’t rule it out entirely. The supported variations (especially with pillows under your hips and lower back) can actually reduce strain. For the penetrating partner, kneeling rather than leaning forward can help too. Listen to your body and adapt—pleasure shouldn’t come with unwanted pain.