A Charleston fossil adventure with us is a boat trip from Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant to a barrier island beach near Morris Island, where you hunt fossil shark teeth at low tide and keep everything you find. Shared seats are $125 per person for 4 hours; private boats start at $375 per group.
Most people step off the boat expecting to look for a while before they find anything. Then somebody's kid holds up a black triangle about ten minutes in, and the whole group goes quiet and starts staring at their feet. That moment happens on almost every trip, and I still enjoy watching it.
If you've been searching for a Charleston fossil adventure, this is what one looks like with us: a short ride out of Shem Creek, a few hours on an island beach you can only reach by water, and a pocket full of teeth that are millions of years old. Below is the whole day, every price we charge, real photos from real guests, and what people have said after they got home.
What Does a Charleston Fossil Adventure Look Like?
You meet us at 100 Church St in Mount Pleasant, right on Shem Creek, about 14 minutes from downtown Charleston. Get there 15 minutes before departure. We'll get everyone aboard, go over where we're headed, and push off.
The ride out crosses Charleston Harbor. Keep your eyes on the water, because dolphins work this stretch year-round and they often show up alongside the boat. We can't promise them, but they're a regular part of the commute.
Then we put the bow on the sand. Depending on the tide and the day, that's Morris Island or another barrier island nearby. These beaches have no bridge and no parking lot, so the gravel beds don't get picked over the way the public beaches do. The 1876 Morris Island Lighthouse stands offshore, which makes for a pretty good backdrop while you hunt.
Once we land, I'll show you what a fossil tooth looks like against the shell and gravel, where the tide tends to drop them, and how to scan without wearing yourself out. All the gear is provided. After that, the beach is yours. Walk the wrack line, crouch over the shell hash, and bring anything you're unsure about back to the crew. We'll tell you what it is.
Why the Tide Runs the Whole Day
Fossil shark teeth come out of old sediment offshore and in the inlets, and each tide sorts them onto the beach with the heavier shell and gravel. A falling tide exposes the most of that bed. That's why our departures shift with the tide chart instead of running at the same hour every day, and why your confirmed departure time is the one to trust.
Fall and winter are our favorite stretch. The beaches are quiet, the low tides run lower, and the winter weather tends to stir up fresh material. That said, we run trips year-round and people find teeth in every month.
What Will You Find?
Most of what turns up is fossil shark teeth, usually between a quarter inch and an inch and a half. They're black, gray, or brown because minerals replaced the original tooth over millions of years. The usual suspects are sand tiger, mako, lemon, bull, tiger, and the serrated hemipristis, which everybody calls the snaggletooth.
And then there's the megalodon. Meg teeth do wash up on these beaches, and guests find them, sometimes whole and sometimes as a chunk of root or a broken blade. I'll be straight with you: nobody can promise you one. More time on the beach gives you better odds, which is the honest reason the 4-hour trips exist.
You'll also see shells, pieces of fossil bone, sand dollars, and the odd thing even we have to look at twice. If you want to know what a tooth is before you leave the beach, ask. Identifying shark teeth by species is half the fun, and the crew is happy to do it on the spot.
How Much Does a Fossil Adventure Cost?
These are the prices in our booking system today. The private trips are priced for the whole boat, and the per-guest step is small, which surprises people. Fees and taxes come to 3% and are added at checkout.
| Trip | Length | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morris Island shared hunt | 4 hours | Couples, solo travelers, small families | $125 per person (shared boat, up to 6 guests) |
| Harbor Island Hopping & Shark Tooth Hunt (private) | 2 hours | Families short on time, bigger groups | $375 for 1–4 guests, then +$50 per guest up to 12. Groups of 13–23 ride the Roamer IV: $1,100 (13–18) or $1,200 (19–23) |
| Shark Tooth & Sea Shell Hunt (private) | 3 hours | Families who want the boat to themselves | $400 for 1–2 guests, then +$50 per guest up to 12 ($900) |
| Shark Tooth & Sea Shell Hunt (private) | 4 hours | Serious hunters, best megalodon odds | $500 for 1–2 guests, then +$50 per guest up to 12 ($1,000) |
| Private shark tooth guide (add-on) | 3- or 4-hour private trips | Groups who want a dedicated spotter on the beach | $150 flat |
Here's the part worth doing the math on. For a couple, two shared seats ($250) is the best value. Once you're a family of four, the private boat usually wins: the 2-hour private trip is $375 against $500 in shared seats, and the 3-hour private is $500, the same as four seats, with the boat all to yourselves and a departure built around your group.
| Group | Shared 4 hr | Private 2 hr | Private 3 hr | Private 4 hr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 guests | $250 | $375 | $400 | $500 |
| 4 guests | $500 | $375 | $500 | $600 |
| 6 guests | $750 | $475 | $600 | $700 |
| 10 guests | Private only | $675 | $800 | $900 |
Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before your trip. We go out in light rain, since a little drizzle has never hurt a shark tooth hunt. If the weather turns unsafe, we cancel and you choose a full refund or a reschedule.
What Our Guests Say
We hold a 5.0 rating on Google and TripAdvisor with more than 300 reviews. These are a few from people who came out for shark teeth, quoted word for word.
"Booked with Cpt Ricky and his 1st mate Bailey and was not disappointed. They were very knowledgeable and took time to show us real examples of what things we could find and where we should be looking."— Al T, TripAdvisor (“Found a massive Meg tooth”)
"Bailey and Ricky are fantastic! We were on a girl's trip and wanted to get shark teeth. Bailey stayed with us on the island the entire trip and made sure we were competent in identifying the teeth. We can't recommend LowCountry enough!"— Sandra King, Google review
"On a family vacation in Charleston we booked with LowCountry Coastal Excursions for a guided shark tooth fossil hunt. It was incredible!!! There were 12 of us — Grandma & Grandpa plus 3 adult brothers with their wives & kids."— Paulina Wilke, Google review
Is It Good for Kids?
Very. All ages are welcome, and kids tend to be the best hunters on the boat because their eyes are closer to the sand. The walking is easy and we only wade in shallow water. If you're bringing little ones, the 2-hour private trip is the easiest fit for nap schedules and short attention spans. Our family guide to fossil hunting on Morris Island has more on what to expect with kids.
What to Bring
- Sunscreen and a hat. There's very little shade on a barrier island.
- Beach footwear that can get wet. Shell hash is sharp on bare feet.
- A small bag or container for your finds. Old mint tins work great.
- Water and a snack, especially on the 3- and 4-hour trips.
- A light layer from October through April, when the wind on the harbor has a bite.
Can You Keep What You Find?
Yes. Every tooth, shell, and fossil you pick up is yours to take home. Collecting from the surface of the beach for personal use is legal in South Carolina, and you don't need a Hobby License for it. The license only comes into play if you're collecting underwater or digging in riverbeds, which we don't do. The collecting-laws guide linked there explains exactly where that line falls.
If you do go home with a big meg, you'll probably start wondering what it's worth. Our post on megalodon tooth value walks through what actually drives the price.
Book Your Charleston Fossil Adventure
If you're two or three people, grab seats on the shared 4-hour Morris Island trip. If you're a family or a group, book a private boat and pick the length that fits your day. Either way, see our shark tooth hunting trips and live calendar to check your dates, or call us at (843) 874-8555 and we'll help you pick the right tide.
Comparing all our trips side by side? Our rundown of fossil hunting boat tours out of Shem Creek lays out every option in one place.
Pricing, BYOB rules, weather policy, and departure details are all on our FAQ page — or call (843) 874-8555.
Frequently Asked
What is a Charleston fossil adventure?
It's a guided boat trip from Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant to a barrier island beach near Morris Island, where you hunt fossil shark teeth, shells, and bone at low tide. The captain picks the beach and the tide, all gear is provided, and you keep everything you find.
How much does a fossil hunting trip in Charleston cost?
Shared seats on our 4-hour Morris Island trip are $125 per person. Private boats start at $375 for 2 hours (1–4 guests), $400 for 3 hours, and $500 for 4 hours (1–2 guests), plus $50 for each extra guest. A private shark tooth guide is $150, and 3% fees and taxes are added at checkout.
Will I find a megalodon tooth?
Maybe. Megalodon teeth do wash up on the barrier islands near Charleston and guests find them, but no one can promise one. Most finds are smaller teeth from sand tiger, mako, lemon, bull, and tiger sharks. Longer trips give you more beach time and better odds.
Where do fossil trips leave from?
All of our trips leave from 100 Church St, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464, on Shem Creek. It's about 14 minutes from downtown Charleston. Please arrive 15 minutes early.
Is a fossil adventure good for young kids?
Yes. All ages are welcome, the walking is easy, and we only wade in shallow water. Families with small children usually book the 2-hour private trip.
Local captain with LowCountry Coastal Excursions, running tours out of Shem Creek since 2017.