How we failed our EPIC hunt for Shark teeth!

My kids LOVE sharks. They are mesmerized by all the shark facts their little brains can comprehend. I try to find activities that foster their interest and curiosity because they make things fun and educational. When I heard Venice Beach, Florida was the shark teeth capital of the world; I jumped at the chance to take my kids out shark teeth hunting. 

I scoured the internet on the best beach with the highest likelihood of finding shark teeth. After hours of research, the internet brought me to Caspersen Beach! Every article and video assured me I would find the shark teeth I had been hunting. I was even shocked to find that some people found MEGALODON teeth! While I didn’t get my hopes up for a prehistoric find, I was excited to walk away with a small, treasured tooth. 

I went during a weekday, just myself and the boys, and was utterly unprepared for what I had gotten us in! My family and I donned our flip-flops, grabbed our buckets and small sifters, and headed out on this grand adventure. However, we were met by sharp, shell beaches and boulder-covered coastline once we arrived. We walked to the water, then through the shell bed, which felt like it went on forever, to start sifting through the white shells and sand to find a distinct black triangle figure, which felt like trying to find a needle in a haystack. While my kids got bored after about 30 minutes with no luck, I was determined to find just one tooth to show for our efforts. The boys tried to play in the water, and I instantly started to have mom dread and panic. Large rocks covered the waterline of the beach, which the waves roughy crashed against, knocking the kids around like a pinball machine. We went out a little further, hoping to steer clear of any disastrous emergency room visits caused by the rocks, and as I stepped down, the sand dropped off far too deep for my kids to play safely. I decided to pack up, claim defeat, and hope to try another day. 

Overall I didn’t feel like it was an excellent location for younger kids or families looking to have a relaxing beach day. Most beach patrons were there hoping to find a few teeth. It was an experience to say we went and tried. I am lucky not to live too far from the area, and we can come better prepared next time with the proper gear to find my megalodon tooth; hopefully, if not, I’ll settle for any tooth. 

Remember, not every trip will go as planned, and even after research, it might not be perfect, but that’s ok!

Here is a complete shark tooth hunting shopping list that may make shark hunting a little more fun and more manageable after talking to a few friends.