This SC beach among best places to find shark teeth in US, Garden & Gun says

Sarah Claire McDonald
·2 min read

Has hunting for shark teeth become an avid hobby of yours? It can be quite exhilarating once you’ve found what you’re looking for.

Being the first person to find one of these teeth, sometimes after hours of combing through sand and searching in the sun, is an exciting reward for many.

A woman hunting for shark teeth in South Carolina recently found a huge tooth at Hunting Island, fueling speculation about what beast it might have once belonged to.
A woman hunting for shark teeth in South Carolina recently found a huge tooth at Hunting Island, fueling speculation about what beast it might have once belonged to.

Although these teeth can be found at any number of beaches along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, many shark teeth hunters may wonder where the best places might be to find them.

Recently, Garden & Gun, a national magazine that focuses on the American South, released a travel list for the seven best beaches for finding shark teeth.

Robin Smith of Carolina Forest showed her shark tooth finds. After a weekend of wet weather, people took to the beach on Memorial Day. May 29, 2023.
Robin Smith of Carolina Forest showed her shark tooth finds. After a weekend of wet weather, people took to the beach on Memorial Day. May 29, 2023.

The list, written by Emily Daily, names coastal destinations across the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, including one in South Carolina’s Lowcountry.

Well, where is it?

The South Carolina destination can be found at Folly Beach.

Folly Beach is located on Folly Island, which is just south of the Charleston peninsula. The beach plays host to the Folly Beach Pier, which stretches more than 1,000 feet into the Atlantic Ocean and is the perfect place for those on the hunt for shark teeth.

The beach offers visitors with about 6 miles of wide beaches, which makes it an ideal, expansive canvas for the hobby.

A South Carolina woman poking around in a marsh near the Stono River has reported finding a 5.75 inch prehistoric shark’s tooth that weighs nearly a pound. Stono River is located near Charleston and Folly Beach.
A South Carolina woman poking around in a marsh near the Stono River has reported finding a 5.75 inch prehistoric shark’s tooth that weighs nearly a pound. Stono River is located near Charleston and Folly Beach.

“Folly Beach is one of the most popular areas in the Lowcountry for tooth-seekers (and my personal favorite hunting ground). Renowned for its chill surfing vibes and family-friendly atmosphere, the area draws in plenty of tourists, so be sure to beat the crowds early (and preferably at low tide) for prime pickings,” Daily wrote.

“Start at the pier and work your way south. It’s an ideal location for kids to practice their spotting techniques—the teeth are plentiful here, but can be tiny,” Daily continued.

Bill Fleenor’s sharks teeth collection
Bill Fleenor’s sharks teeth collection

As for the remainder of shark teeth havens, other destinations include:

  • Venice, Florida

  • Holden Beach, North Carolina

  • Calvert Cliffs, Maryland

  • Montross, Virginia

  • Amelia Island, Florida

  • Bolivar Peninsula, Texas