How to Find Shark Teeth in South Carolina

Credit: Charleston Fossil Adventures

 

 

The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Finding Fossilized Shark Teeth in South Carolina

South Carolina is a treasure trove for fossilized shark teeth hunters. With its 2,876 miles of tidal coastline, including beaches, rivers, and creeks, it's no wonder why this state is a rich source of these prehistoric relics. In this guide, we'll explore the best times, places, and methods for finding fossilized shark teeth in South Carolina.

 

 

 

 

When to Look for Shark Teeth

According to experts, morning low tides are the best time to start your hunt. The ocean uncovers a new batch of secrets every 12 hours, so an early start might give you an advantage over other fossil hunters.

Where to Look for Shark Teeth

Folly Beach

 

Beaches

South Carolina boasts several beaches known for their abundance of fossilized shark teeth:

 Folly Beach, SC Shark Tooth Hunting

Folly Beach: Start at the east side of the pier between 5th and 2nd streets1​​.

 

Myrtle Beach, SC Shark Tooth Fossil Hunting

Myrtle Beach: Focus on the stretch between 10th Avenue South and 50th Avenue North1.

 

Edisto Beach Shark Tooth Hunting

Edisto Beach: The South Edisto Inlet and the groins lining each block on the beach are promising spots1.

 

 Cherry Grove Beach Shark Tooth Hunting

Cherry Grove Beach: Explore areas between Inlet Pointe Villas and the Cherry Grove Pier1.

 

 Morris Island, SC Shark Tooth Hunting

Morris Island: This "shark tooth island" is only accessible by water. Contact Coastal Expeditions for a Shark Tooth Beach Drop1.

 

Credit: blackriverfossils

 

 

 

Inland Locations

 

Summerville, SC Shark Tooth Hunting

Summerville: The Shark Tooth Dig site in Summerville is a paid location offering creek excursions, dry digs, and surface hunting. You might find shark teeth ranging from 10,000 to a staggering 75 million years old1!

 

 

What to Look For

Keep your eyes peeled for triangular-shaped pieces. This is a characteristic of fossilized shark teeth. Younger teeth may be lighter in color. Most shark teeth will be on the smaller side, but they can still make for exciting discoveries.

Shark Teeth Fossils

 

Guided Tours

Here are some reputable companies in South Carolina that offer tours for finding shark teeth fossils:

  1. Charleston Fossil Adventures, LLC: This company was founded in 2016 and has since become a trusted source for legal commercial paleontology in the Lowcountry. They offer several types of fossil hunting adventures, including:

    • Island Fossil Adventures of varying durations (2, 4, or 6 hours) with rates per head varying from $99 to $325 depending on the duration and age of the participant​1​​2​​3​.
    • A Custom Private Adventure with a flat rate of $1500, which includes a catered picnic lunch and Ashby Gale's undivided attention. The duration, number of sites, and number of people (up to six) are customizable​4​.
    • A Prehistoric Plantation Cruise (note that no fossils are collected on this tour), which is a 2-hour river cruise past four of Charleston's historic plantations dating back to the 1600s​5​.

    The company's tours are led by paleontologist Ashby Gale, who also offers accurate identification of the fossils found during the tours​6​.

  2. Charleston Outdoor Adventures: This company offers a Fossil Hunting Tour that departs from their dock on Bowens Island. The tour is led by seasoned naturalists and includes a cruise through pristine marshland, a 4-6 mile round trip hike to a remote location where you're guaranteed to find prehistoric fossils, and assistance with fossil identification. The tour is offered 1-2 times weekly, if not more, year-round. The cost is $85 for adults (13 and older) and $55 for children (12 and under). The duration is approximately 4-4.5 hours​7​​8​​9​​10​​11​​12​​13​.

  3. Barrier Island Eco Tours: This company offers a private Fossil Hunting Boat Tour which can accommodate 2-6 people and is available for $595​14​.

Each of these companies emphasizes legal and ethical fossil hunting practices. Please note that the prices and availability of the tours may change, so it is always a good idea to contact the companies directly for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

 

    Rules and Regulations

    Be sure to check the local rules before you start your hunt. In South Carolina, you may collect a "reasonable amount" of fossil teeth above the low watermark. However, you'll need a special hobby license to go below that.

    Happy hunting, and may you uncover a piece of prehistoric history on your next adventure!

     

    Please note: This guide does not include all possible locations for shark tooth hunting in South Carolina. Always do your own research for the most accurate and up-to-date information.