Interested in looking for shark teeth? Finding a fossil on the beach can be a memorable experience, and it's a great way to take home a free souvenir. Here's everything you need to know about where to find shark teeth in Charleston.

If you are interested in finding shark teeth in Charleston, you are not alone. Hunting for shark teeth is a popular activity among locations and vacationers alike, and finding a tooth (or several) can be the highlight of your day.

There are several places to find shark teeth in Charleston. The key is knowing both where and how to look. In this article, we cover places you can look for shark teeth both at the beach and on Charleston’s inshore waters, as well as some tips for hunting and answers to some shark tooth hunting FAQs.

• Where To Find Shark Teeth in Charleston
• Tips for Finding Shark Teeth in Charleston
• FAQs: Hunting for Shark Teeth in Charleston, SC

Where To Find Shark Teeth in Charleston

You can find shark teeth in several locations around Charleston. Due to the area’s unique geography and geographical history (millions of years ago, the Lowcountry was part of the seafloor), it is one of the best places to find shark teeth on the entire East Coast.

If you are on vacation in Charleston, you will most likely be hunting for shark teeth at the beach, or perhaps on a guided tour. If you live in Charleston, you can visit several good hunting locations by boat or kayak; or, if you live in a neighborhood on the water, you may even be able to find shark teeth in your own backyard.

Finding Shark Teeth on Vacation at Charleston’s Beaches

Most vacationers will spend their time shark tooth hunting at the beach. The following beaches are all good places to look for shark teeth in Charleston:

• Edisto Beach – Edisto Beach has roughly six miles of coastline. While you can find shark teeth all along Edisto Beach, the best places to look are on the beach in Edisto Beach State Park (north of the pier) and along the southwestern-facing side of the island where the South Edisto River empties into the Atlantic Ocean.
• Folly Beach – Folly Beach has miles of shoreline as well. If you want to find shark teeth in the main public beach area around the pier, your best bet is to go early in the morning. The southern tip of the island (in Folly Beach County Park) and the Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve on the northern tip are good places to look as well.
• Isle of Palms – While you can find shark teeth on Isle of Palms, you will have a decent amount of competition on this well-manicured beach during the summer vacation season. Go early, and try to find your own spot to search to have the best chance of finding some shark teeth.
• Kiawah Island – While Kiawah Island’s beach is expansive, most shark teeth are found on the waterline, just like the other beaches on this list. If you’re visiting Kiawah Beachwalker Park, consider heading south toward Captain Sam’s Inlet and hunting at the mouth of the Kiawah River.
• Seabrook Island – Seabrook Island sees less vacation traffic than neighboring Kiawah, and this makes it a slightly better place to look for shark teeth. For your best chance, head to the beach on the river side of the island—the farther away you get from the houses, the better.
• Sullivan’s Island – Sullivan’s Island remains relatively undisturbed compared to the other beaches on this list, and this increases your chances of finding a shark tooth washed up on shore. With that said, going early will still give you your best shot, especially with a morning low tide.

Taking a Guided Tour to Hunt for Shark Teeth in Charleston

Another option for finding shark teeth in Charleston is to take a guided tour. Several local charter companies offer trips to uninhabited sea islands that are only accessible by boat. With fewer beachcombers, you are more likely to find a tooth, and your guides can help you understand what to look for as well.

The three main islands where you can take a guided tour to hunt for shark teeth in Charleston are:

• Bull Island – Bull Island is located north of Charleston on the southern edge of Bulls Bay. You can either join a fossil hunting expedition or do a “beach drop” where you’ll have hours to spend hunting for teeth along the shore.
• Capers Island – Capers Island is located just south of Bull Island, and it is another popular shark tooth hunting destination that can only be reached on the water. Trips to Capers Island depart from Isle of Palms and the Buck Hall Recreation Area Boat Landing north of Charleston.
• Morris Island – Morris Island is located at the mouth of the Charleston harbor, right next to Folly Island. Tours here typically leave from Shem Creek or Folly Island.

Exploring for Shark Teeth on Your Own

If you live in Charleston, you can also go exploring for shark teeth in several locations besides the area’s beaches. Of course, you should only search on public property or with a private property owner’s permission. Some additional places where you can find shark teeth in Charleston include:

• Cat Island – Cat Island is located on the Wando river and only accessible by boat or kayak. The island has a small beach where you can commonly find fossilized shark teeth.
• Crab Bank – Crab Bank is located in the Charleston harbor right next to Shem Creek. Due to its location, it is a good place to hunt for shark teeth. But, be aware that Crab Bank is closed entirely from March 15 through October 15, and is only accessible in the intertidal zone (below the high tide waterline) the rest of the year.
• Wolf Island – Wolf Island is located on the Stono River at the mouth of the Rantowles Creek. Similar to Cat Island, it has a small beach that is a good place to find shark teeth.
• Sandbars and Shoreline Shell Deposits – If you go kayaking or take a small boat into Charleston’s inland waterways, you can stop at sandbars and shoreline shell deposits to look for shark teeth. As most of these areas are rarely visited, if they have shark teeth, there is a good chance that you will find them.
• Recent Dock Construction – When marine construction companies build docks, they often churn up sediment from the floor that contains shark teeth and other fossils. As a result, it will often be possible to find shark teeth in these areas. Again, be respectful of private property, and be careful if there is construction equipment in the vicinity.
• Sea Islands on Bulls Bay – If you’re really up for an adventure, you can find shark teeth on many of the other sea islands around Bulls Bay. These islands are also rarely visited, making them great places for special finds. Be mindful to plan your route carefully, as the waters in Bulls Bay can get very shallow at low tide.

Tips for Finding Shark Teeth in Charleston

Want to maximize your chances of finding a shark tooth in Charleston? If so, here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Go Early in the Morning at the Beach – Lots of people hunt for shark teeth on Charleston’s beaches. If you go early in the morning, you will have the best chance of finding a tooth that has washed up on the sand.
• Go Shark Tooth Hunting at Low Tide – Generally, you will have the best luck finding shark teeth at low tide. When the tide is out, you have access to the sea floor farther out, and this area tends to have more shells and fossils than the heavily trafficked areas above the high waterline.
• Look for Areas Where There Are Shells – While you will occasionally find a shark tooth on its own, you are more likely to find teeth where there are other items washed up on the beach. The waves and current sort things by size, so the size of shells you find is generally about the size of any teeth you are likely to find as well.
• Look for Areas with Black Shells and Fossils – Most shark teeth you’ll find on the beach are black as a result of absorbing phosphate from the sediment in the ocean over millions of years. So, if you find an area with black shells and fossils, there is a decent chance you’ll find a tooth there as well.
• Use a Sifter – Using a sifter can be a good way to find shark teeth in the sand or in an area with a high concentration of small shells or pebbles. Most of the shark teeth you will find will be pretty small, so a sifter with a one-quarter inch mesh is a good choice. But, if you are hunting on the beach along the shoreline, your chances may be just as good going slow and looking on the surface.
• Sift Above the Waterline Only – If you choose to hunt for shark teeth with a sifter, be aware that in South Carolina you are allowed to sift above the waterline only. Sifting for submerged fossils is not permitted. This is different from the law in many other states.

FAQs: Hunting for Shark Teeth in Charleston, SC

Where is the Best Place to Find Shark Teeth in Charleston?

For beachgoers, the best place to find shark teeth in Charleston is along the waterline (also referred to as the “trash line”) with the outgoing tide. As the tide goes out, the waves push shells, pebbles, and fossils here, and they stay here until either the tide comes back in or someone picks them up. On flat beaches like Folly and Kiawah, you can look in the sand below the waterline (on the ocean side) as well.

Is Edisto Beach Good for Sharks’ Teeth?

Edisto Beach is a good place to look for sharks’ teeth. Edisto Beach State Park and the southern tip of the island are particularly good places to look, as these areas see less foot traffic than the main beach area. Take your time, go slow, and pay particular attention to areas with black shells and sediment—as you are most likely to find fossilized shark teeth here as well.

Is Folly Beach Good for Sharks’ Teeth?

Folly Beach can be a good place to look for sharks’ teeth, though you’ll have to go early to beat the crowds during the on season. If you want to get away from the crowds, you can head toward either the northern or southern tip of the island and look for teeth along the waterline at the Washout, Folly Beach County Park, or the Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve.

What is the Easiest Way to Find Shark Teeth?

The easiest way to find shark teeth in Charleston is to find a beach with shells and sediment and start looking. Believe it or not, most shark teeth are found on the sand, mixed in with everything else that washes up from the sea floor. Get close to the ground, and focus on looking for triangle-shaped items that are black in color (fossilized shark teeth turn black as a result of absorbing phosphate over millions of years).

What is the Best Time of Day to Find Shark Teeth?

Typically, the best time of day to find shark teeth on Charleston’s beaches is early in the morning. If you get there before anyone else, you will have the best chance of finding any teeth that may have washed up overnight. With that said, people find shark teeth on Charleston’s beaches all day long; and, if low tide is in the middle of the day, you could have just as much luck hunting in the afternoon or evening.

How Rare is it to Find a Shark Tooth in Charleston?

While you’ll need some luck, finding shark teeth in Charleston isn’t all that rare. Lots of sharks’ teeth wash up on Charleston’s shores—or work their way down toward the ocean from Charleston’s inland waterways. If you find a good location and put in the time, there is a good chance that you will go home with a shark tooth (or several) in your pocket. If you take a guided tour (or take your own boat or kayak) to one of Charleston’s uninhabited sea islands, you’ll have an even better chance of finding shark teeth to show your family and friends.

How Big are Most Shark Teeth in Charleston?

When hunting for shark teeth in Charleston, it is important to think small. While everyone dreams of finding a megalodon tooth, most of the teeth you will find will be about the size of a fingernail. Lots of people overlook shark teeth on the beach because they are expecting to find teeth that are one or two inches long. While you’ll find one of these if you’re lucky, you are more likely to find several smaller teeth if you take your time.

 

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