Hunt fossil shark teeth and unique shells on Manasota Key with an expert guide. This 90-minute eco-tour blends hands-on beachcombing with local geology and conservation lessons—ideal for families comfortable in shallow water.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
Morning light breaks over Manasota Key and the surf pushes small treasures toward your feet: fragments of bone-black sharks' teeth, curved gastropods, and a scatter of glass smoothed to a soft glow. On this 90-minute guided eco-tour you’ll move along the low-tide wrack line, sifting sand with a floating screen while guides point out indicators of fossil-rich pockets and explain the currents that deliver ancient remains ashore.
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
1.5 hours (90 minutes)
Fitness Level
Moderate fitness—short sandy walks, occasional shallow wading; participants should be comfortable in coastal conditions.
Wildlife
History
The shoreline is carved from Pleistocene and older marine deposits; shifting tides and storms expose fossil-rich layers that date back millions of years.
Conservation
Collect selectively and avoid live or rare shells; stay on hard-packed sand where possible to protect dune vegetation and seagrass beds.
Reserve your spot on the Guided Shark Tooth and Seashell Hunting Eco Tour on Manasota Key today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Go at low tide
Low tide exposes fossil-rich sand bars and the wrack line where teeth concentrate—check local tide tables and arrive 30–60 minutes before low.
Protect your feet
Wear water shoes or reef-safe sandals—surfaces alternate between soft sand and sharp shell beds that can cut bare feet.
Use reef-safe sunscreen
The guides emphasize marine conservation; choose biodegradable sunscreen to reduce chemical stress on seagrass and inshore life.
Limit what you take
Collect a representative sample and leave fragile or live shells; ask guides if a find is historic or protected before removing it.
Water shoes
Protect feet on mixed sand and shell and when wading shallow surf.
summer
Reef-safe sunscreen and hat
Protects skin and reduces harm to seagrass and marine life.
summer
Small bucket or zip-top bags
Keep finds organized and rinsed; easy to carry home.
Light snorkeling mask (optional)
Helps spot teeth in shallow clear water when conditions allow.
summer