With over 13 miles of coastline, there are truly too many ways to enjoy Amelia Island’s beach! One of the most unique and fun characteristics of Amelia Island’s shoreline is the fossilized shark teeth that wash up on its shores. This fossil hunter’s paradise is perfect for finding shark teeth any time of year, and we’re going to tell you what you need to know before you hit the shore.
Ahead of your shark tooth expedition, be sure to request a copy of our Free Vacation Guide. Get our curated top picks of Ameia Island’s best local events, restaurants, attractions, activities, and so much more!
In this blog:
- Why Amelia Island is Great for Shark Tooth Hunting
- What Kinds of Teeth Are Found on Amelia Island’s Shores?
- Best Shark Tooth Hunting Spots
- Tips for a Better Beachcombing Adventure
- Book Your Stay on Amelia Island!
Why Amelia Island is Great for Shark Tooth Hunting
The island and its many shark teeth are due to its unique geography and ancient history. For hundreds of thousands of years, sharks in the area and beyond have shed thousands of teeth that eventually become fossilized after settling into offshore sediments.
Over time, those fossilized teeth get moved through the St. Mary’s River and deposited through channels near the northern part of the island.
What Kinds of Teeth Are Found on Amelia Island’s Shores?
Due to the age of many of the shark teeth in the area, you may notice that there are several different types of shark teeth around the island. Here’s a quick run-through of just some of the types of teeth present and how to spot them!
- Lemon Sharks: Short, flat, and t-shaped with no serrations
- Tiger Sharks: Very triangular, short, and unevenly shaped with serrations
- Great White Sharks: Long, wide, triangular, and serrated
- Bull Sharks: Short, wide, and serrated
- Sand Tiger Shark: Long, narrow, pointy
Best Shark Tooth Hunting Spots
As we stated before, a lot of the shark tooth fossils come in through St. Mary’s and end up on the northern side of the island. Beyond that, there are quite a few popular sites for shellfish harvesting.
The area near Fort Clinch State Park will provide you with the best experience in terms of finding shark teeth, as the St. Mary’s River deposits onto the nearby beach.
The undeveloped Cumberland Island, which sits just across the inlet from Amelia Island. This area is great for finding shark teeth, as fossils can be found throughout the roads and paths on Cumberland Island. To get these, simply head over to St. Mary’s, across the Georgia State line, and you will be able to take a ferry at the Cumberland Island National Seashore Visitor Center.
How to Hunt for Shark Teeth
This will probably be the most surprisingly simple part of your journey. All you really need to do to have a good time beachcombing for shark teeth is simply find a beach and look around for black triangular objects!
The best places to look will be around the edge of the water and at low tide. You can also see more teeth after a storm, since they cause fossils to be hurled back onto the beach. Just make sure the beach is safe before heading out.
The best times of year to search for teeth are winter and spring. The beaches are often less crowded, so you get the first pick!
Book Your Stay on Amelia Island!
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Whenever you’re ready to make your shark tooth excursion on Amelia Island, we’ll be waiting for you! Book your stay with The Addison on Amelia Island for a classical and relaxing island getaway experience. Enjoy a quality breakfast at our inn, with rooms to accommodate every type of guest. Book direct and get in on our latest offers and special deals!