“My own little treasure hunt.” How to find shark teeth in Myrtle Beach, SC
When her husband says it’s too dark to look for shark teeth on the Myrtle Beach sands, Robin Smith says, “let’s get a headlight.”
The Carolina Forest resident says hunting for shark teeth is her “own little treasure hunt.”
Whether you’re a visitor to Myrtle Beach or a South Carolina resident like Smith, hunting for shark teeth is a great way to enjoy the Grand Strand beaches.
On Memorial Day, Smith combed barefoot in the Myrtle Beach sands, like she does once or twice a week, rain or shine. At home, she has a large shark-shaped jar from Goodwill filled with shark teeth.
Five years ago, Smith was introduced this hobby by her now-husband. She took a bit to catch on.
“I couldn’t find any. He would literally put one down on the ground and mark an arrow in the sand for me to find it. And then eventually I got better. Now I’m more addicted than he.”
A kindergarten teacher, Smith loves to share her love of shark teeth hunting with visitors from around the world.
“I’ve had people that were from Japan, they didn’t speak English, and I’d give their children a shark’s tooth and they’d get all excited.”
Smith likes to join a group of fellow teachers go to the beach to hunt. “We’re like so competitive with each other.”
She remembers when a passer-by tried to give her a shark tooth. “I said, ‘Oh no, keep it.’ And [another teacher] goes, ‘I would have taken that,’ because it was a nice one, you know.”
Even with the friendly competition, Smith said looking for shark teeth is her relaxation.
“All that stuff floats away through the water and I’m good to go for the next day.”
Learn how to on your very own treasure hunt for shark teeth in South Carolina.
Here are tips for finding shark teeth in the Myrtle Beach area.
Look for teeth in rocky areas with lots of shells or near the piers. Smith likes searching near the 20th Ave. S. beach access in Myrtle Beach.
Dig with your feet in the area where the waves meet the sand and look for little shiny black Y-shaped objects mixed with the shells and rocks. The shape of the tooth depends on the species of shark or where in the mouth it comes from.
Shark teeth come all different sizes. Smith especially likes looking for the tiny ones: “There’s so much more – people skip over those.”
Not sure if the thing you found is a shark tooth or a rock? Try to break it – shark teeth are very strong and probably won’t crack. Also, look for the gum line and ridges at the top.
Smith said she “saves her back” by using a scooper to pick up her finds.
