5 Best Beaches to Find Shark Teeth in South Carolina (2024)

Sharks develop thousands of teeth during their lifetime. They’re consistently producing new teeth to replace the old ones. Most sharks have teeth layered in up to five rows. Some can have as many as fifteen rows of teeth.

This consistent shedding makes it easy to find shark teeth without climbing into a shark’s mouth. You can scout for shark teeth, as well as seashells, on the South Carolina coastline. It’s a real goldmine for shark teeth hunting.

Let’s find out more about the best beaches to find shark teeth in South Carolina.

• The 5 Best Tools For Finding Shark Teeth!
• The 5 Best Shark Tooth Beaches in Florida

The Best Beaches to Find Shark Teeth

Before you set out on your trip, make sure you know where to look and what you expect to find. If you want to extremely increase your chances of finding shark teeth in South Carolina, check out the following destinations.

Morris Island

The island lies in the outer reaches of Charleston Harbor and is accessible only by boat. It’s famous for its lighthouse.

The unmatched view of Morris Island’s skyline is only a small part of the spectacular experience you can have there. The island’s atmosphere is relaxing and peaceful.

Shark teeth are abundant in Morris Island. You can easily spot and identify shark teeth fossils. You’ll have the luxury of exploring the beach on your own and relaxing in its tranquil ambiance.

Folly Beach

Near the historic Morris Island Lighthouse lies Folly Beach: a city located on Folly Island, South Carolina, just south of Charleston.

It stretches for more than a thousand feet into the ocean and has rich marine wildlife. At the end of Folly Beach, you can easily find seashells, starfish, and shark teeth.

To increase your chances of finding shark teeth, it’s important to know where and when to look. The key is to search during low tide.

Right after the tide has receded, search the shoreline for shark teeth and shell debris that have been deposited. Tooth-seekers have better luck finding more teeth in wet sand. Speed is a crucial factor when capturing a tooth before it’s yanked by the surf.

The best time to scan the beach for shark teeth is the early morning. At this time of day, there are fewer people on the beach, which can make your hunting mission a lot easier.

You can also find shark teeth after storms. Storms shift the sand and drive more debris to the shore.

There are many places to look for shark teeth in Folly Beach. However, the end of Folly Beach Pier between the rock piles and the sand dunes might hold higher chances of success than other places.

Edisto Beach State Park

Edisto Beach State Park is an hour away from Charleston. The park is mainly an oceanfront where you can walk, hike, or bike.

Shark teeth of different shapes and sizes are scattered on the surface of the sand. If you didn’t have luck finding a tooth lying visibly on the surface, try looking in the wet sand when the tide is low.

You can find fossilized shark teeth in the sand. These typically resemble shiny black lumps of marbles. It’s good to see what a tooth might look like beforehand to know what to expect.

Edisto Beach is a unique destination to look for shark teeth because the deposits of ice age mammals settle on its shore. Fossils from upstream the Edisto river wash down and deposit on Edisto’s beaches.

Kiawah Island

Kiawah is a sea island located 25 miles southwest of Charleston, South Carolina. It lies on the Atlantic coast. It’s mainly a private beach and resort.

A variety of sharks inhabit the surrounding water of Kiawah island. Therefore, its beaches are a terrific place to look for shark teeth.

Hunting shark teeth is especially easier after storms when the sand is shifted. This causes plenty of the fossils buried in the sand to get to the surface.

Beachgoers and nature lovers find many shark teeth, starfish, and sand dollars on the beautiful beaches of Kiawah islands. If you find starfish or sand dollars, throw them back in the ocean to keep them alive.

Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach is a city located on the Atlantic coast of South Carolina. It’s one of the most famous family vacation destinations.

Shark teeth wash up on the shores of Myrtle Beach. The best place to spot shark teeth is in central Myrtle Beach. Most tooth-seekers have better luck finding shark teeth around that area.

Hunting for shark teeth in the early morning is better to avoid the crowds of beachgoers and teeth hunters.

Look for the teeth right before or immediately after high tides. The tides pull away from the sand and reveal the fossils and debris. You’ll likely find shark teeth around shell beds and fragments.

Know What to Look for

The shark teeth hunting mission is much easier if you know what to look for and how to approach the search.

First, you need to know the different colors of teeth. There are white teeth and black teeth. White teeth typically come from recently dead sharks. They either just fall off or are pulled out from the shark’s mouth.

Black shark teeth are those that have been fossilized over the years. They’re triangular and glossy. Plus, they shine when the sun hits them.

Shark teeth vary in size, from the size of a fingernail to the size of a toothpick. So, think small!

Moreover, shark teeth are highly durable. They have a thickened base that won’t break unless hit by a hammer or a blunt object. When you find a tooth, check to see if it’s breakable.

For more information on what to look for, read our article, How to Find Shark Teeth on the Beach.

Wrap Up

Shark teeth are abundant in the charming beaches of South Carolina. Spotting your first shark tooth is always the hardest.

If you don’t have luck finding any teeth the first time, it’s still a good practice. Just remember to look in the low tides.

Hunting shark teeth is a fun experience but requires patience and persistence. Don’t give up!

Equipment Needed to Find Shark Teeth?

One tool that can be most effective in hunting shark teeth is the Exact Design sand flea rake. While originally intended for catching sand fleas, this rake can serve you well in your shark teeth pursuit.

First off, the Exact design rake has sharp metal teeth that’ll allow you to dig deep into the sand. You’re going to use teeth to find teeth, isn’t that funny? Anyway, the rake also features a 16-inches wide basket. Thus, you can scoop up large quantities every time you pull the rake out of the sand.

Besides effectiveness, the Exact Design rake is convenient. That’s as it features a curved handle with which you’re going to exert minimal effort digging up fossils. Also, your grip will never slip, thanks to the thick, padded handle.