I like your capture of the the shells and their slow fade into the surf, however I feel you then have too much of an uninteresting sea before we reach the sky and the cloud detail.
Personally, I dont mind the amount of water too much, it has a shimmery feel so I dont thinks its that uninteresting.
Obviousley, its not practicle to crop out the middle of the shot, but I had a look at the series and this one is more thirdish – shells, semi interesting water and clouds.
I think I prefer the first.
Either way, Ill be back one of these mornings for a sunrise shot…. but will have to check the tides to get it at the high tide (otherwise, its a different composition altogether).