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Discovering Shark Teeth: Tips and Tricks for Beachcombers
If you love the beach, searching for beach treasures, or decorating with coastal decor, I'm looking for YOU!
Shark tooth hunting is such a fun pastime. It's relaxing yet also challenging to search for those elusive shiny black triangles.
It took me a long time to learn to spot them. I'd send a friend of mine photos of pieces of dark grey shells, asking if they were teeth before I learned what they actually looked like.
If you google photos of shark teeth, it'll help you get a good start to know what to look for and what NOT to look for.
I still pick up lots of fakes and pieces of shells but I know now what is and isn't a tooth, so it goes a little faster!
My best tip is to search for shiny black triangles in the sand. They're harder to find in the dry sand or shell piles, but I've discovered a few there. I always look for spots where the water is shifting the sand, hoping to spot tiny black triangles on the move.
Sometimes I'll sit at the water's edge and dig, or explore tide pools, which are excellent hunting grounds.
If you have any tips, share them below! Happy hunting, and follow along for more beachy inspiration.
See all of our shark tooth related products here.
More Tips for Finding Shark Teeth
Shark teeth are fossils, which means they've been tumbling around in the ocean for thousands of years before washing up on shore. That's what gives them their dark black or grey color. Here's what to keep in mind when you head out to hunt:
- Go at low tide. The best time to hunt is right after low tide, especially after a storm when the waves have churned up fresh material from the ocean floor.
- Look where the water meets the sand. The swash zone, where waves wash in and pull back, is where teeth are most likely to surface. Watch for the water moving sand around and scan for dark triangles.
- Check shell piles and tide lines. Teeth often get mixed in with shells and debris that wash up along the tide line. Slow down and look carefully through these areas.
- Try tide pools. Calm, shallow tide pools are great hunting grounds. The water is clear and the teeth have nowhere to go.
- Train your eye. Look up photos of shark teeth before you go so you know the shape, color, and texture. The serrated edge and smooth enamel face are the giveaways. Shells are rough and irregular; teeth have a distinct triangular shape with a flat base.
- Be patient. Even experienced hunters come home empty-handed sometimes. The hunt itself is part of the joy.
Amelia Island is one of the best spots on the East Coast for finding shark teeth, including Megalodon teeth. If you're planning a trip, read our full guide: Finding Shark Teeth on Amelia Island and Best Tips for Finding Shark Teeth on the Beach.
What to Do With Your Shark Teeth Once You Find Them
Once you've built up a collection, the fun doesn't have to stop at the beach. Displaying your shark teeth at home is one of the most personal and meaningful ways to decorate with coastal style. A shadow box, a small dish on a shelf, or a glass jar on a windowsill all work beautifully. Pair your collection with one of our handmade shark tooth signs and you've got a display that tells your story.
For ideas on how to show off your finds, read Shark Tooth Decor and Decorating Ideas for Your Beachcombing Finds.
Shop Our Shark Tooth Signs
Celebrate your love of the hunt with a handmade sign made right here on Amelia Island. Each one is hand-painted on real wood and comes in 15 colors to match your coastal style.
I'd Rather Be Hunting Shark Teeth Sign
Just One More Shark Tooth Sign