Whether for a day or the week, Myrtle Beach offers the perfect beach getaway alternative to the beaches of Florida. On your next beach vacation, embark on an exhilarating hunt for shark teeth for a few hours off the coast of South Carolina. The thrill of the hunt and the anticipation of finding a rare treasure will surely make your trip unforgettable.
Myrtle Beach is a perfect place to look for seashells, but it is also a hidden treasure when searching for shark teeth and sea fossils. South Carolina boasts over 60 miles of pristine shoreline, where one can walk for miles exploring area beaches, including North Myrtle Beach, Atlantic Beach, and Surfside Beach.
But if you’re after a truly unique experience, if you’re seeking the thrill of discovering something ancient and fascinating, then the Myrtle Beach area is the place to be.
Where to find Shark teeth on Myrtle Beach?
Rest assured, shark teeth are common throughout the Myrtle Beach area. You’ll find them in abundance, especially if you start your search along Central Myrtle Beach, between 50th Avenue North and 10th Avenue South. You can also find shark teeth in Murrells Inlet and further south on Pawleys Island. If you’re shark teeth hunting on Pawleys Island, start closer to the inlet. Also, skip the south side of the island – there is not much there to find. The shark teeth on Pawleys Island are fewer but usually larger species and worth the time.
Edisto Beach is always a good location to begin your search. While the shark teeth on Edisto are generally small, they cover the beach and cluster near rock piles and areas with driftwood. Folly Beach is also a good bet. On Folly Beach, shark tooth hunting is quality over quantity, and the beach is usually not as sifted.
When asked, locals will tell you to look for black and shiny pieces in the sand and shell beds. Shark teeth are white when they fall out, turning black from fossilization, and are glossy.
Shark teeth are commonplace in shell beds, buried amongst the shell fragments and exposed by the rolling waves at low tide. Look for them where the waves break. You might even see smaller ones in the sand around you when lounging in your beach chair.
While shark teeth are always hiding in the sand, you may have more luck at high tide when the waves carry new shark teeth to shore.
New layers of sand can be exposed during the outgoing tide, a new or full moon, or after a storm, and these are perfect times to find shark teeth, fossils, and seashells.
Sandbars or areas where the water is shifting the sand are ideal locations. Also, try sifting through the sand early in the morning when the beaches are still fresh.
Ocean ‘creeks’ and tidal pools are common along the coast of South Carolina. These natural collection pools are great traps for shells, teeth, and other gems.
Over the past few years, violent East Coast storms have degraded beaches. Many smaller communities are reclaiming their beaches, dredging the ocean floor, and depositing sand, shells, and fossils on the beaches—a bounty for fossil and shark tooth hunters.
The numerous shark species in the area directly influence the popularity of shark tooth hunting in Myrtle Beach.
While Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is home to 40 different species of shark, shark attacks are rare. The most common Myrtle Beach species are spinner sharks, sand tiger sharks, lemon sharks, blacktip sharks, tiger sharks, and bull sharks. Bull sharks are very aggressive and can live in both saltwater and freshwater.
A large area from Charleston to North Myrtle Beach is home to four different hammerhead shark species, and Great White sharks can be found throughout Long Bay during the cooler Fall and Winter months.
Identifying a Shark Tooth
The best way to identify a real shark tooth is to look at its shape and color. Shark’s teeth are triangular and black or a deep dark brown. They are glossy, even when dry. Look for ridges along the edges and a gum line near the top. Shark teeth are strong, resisting chips and cracks. Shark teeth will probably be small, between about 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) and 2 inches (5.1 cm) in length.
If you have a shark tooth that is flat and shaped like a wide triangle, it may be a white shark tooth on your hands. The rows of teeth of great whites are serrated along the blade of the tooth, which average is 1.5–2.5 inches (3.8–6.4 cm) long.
The most sought-after tooth in shark fossil hunting is the Megalodon. Megalodons were massive sharks that lived in the Jurassic Period- millions of years ago. Now extinct, Megalodon teeth are usually identified by size – 3.5–7 inches (8.9–17.8 cm) long. There are also finely serrated blades and a thin black line. In general, marine fossils need 10,000 years to oxidize and turn black, deep red, brown, and grey. Fossilized shark teeth are rare but prizeworthy for the avid shark tooth hunter. Other popular beach finds include fossilized sand dollars.
Tools for shark teeth hunting
Equipping yourself with the right tools is key to a successful shark tooth-hunting expedition. A small bucket or bag to collect your discoveries, a strainer or sifter for searching sediment and cleaning off smaller teeth, and a small scoop for sorting through shell beds and pieces are essential. These tools, along with a good sunscreen, will ensure a fruitful and enjoyable hunting experience.
Picking a good spot is crucial. The Grand Strand’s 60-mile coastline is ideal for beachcombing. Popular beaches to sift for shark teeth, seashells, and sand dollars include both state parks – Myrtle Beach State Park and Huntington Beach State Park. Huntington Beach State Park offers a guide to seashells in the area at the park office. Pawleys Island, Litchfield Beach, or Cherry Grove Beach are perfect places to search for shark teeth and seashells as they are usually less crowded.