🌍 Top 10 Most Famous Megalodon Tooth Sites in the World
For fossil hunters and collectors, few finds are as thrilling as finding a Megalodon tooth. These massive fossil shark teeth, fossils from a 60-foot prehistoric predator, are found worldwide in ancient marine sediments. Each location offers unique characteristics: color variations, sediment conditions, and fossil associations that help tell the Megalodon’s story.
Whether you’re diving into Florida’s rivers, exploring Carolina waterways, or hunting coastal fossils, here are the Top 10 most famous Megalodon tooth sites in the world, where history, geology, and adventure come together.
Peace River, Florida (USA)
The Peace River near west-central Florida is one of the best-known fossil-collecting destinations in the United States. This river winds through phosphate-rich sediments dating back to the Miocene and Pliocene epochs, which were a prime time for Megalodon activity.
Collectors can find everything from small juvenile teeth to large, fully serrated Megalodon teeth, along with Hemipristis, Mako, and Great White shark teeth, as well as mammoth, horse, alligator, and a wide variety of other fossils that you normally wouldn't think of.
But not only can you find teeth on the Peace River, you can also hunt so many small creeks that branch off of the Peace and still find a wide variety of fossils. Now, certain creeks may offer more fossil shark teeth than others, but it really depends on the layers that cut through these creeks. For example, if a creek cuts through the Miocene layer, you'll find more fossil shark teeth like Megalodon, Hemipristis, Mako, etc. If you find a creek that cuts through the Pliocene layer, you'll find more mammal fossils.
Typical Finds: Megalodon teeth from 1.5" to over 5", black to brown phosphate-coated enamel. Hemipristis, Hastalis Mako, Fossil Great white, and mammal fossils such as mammoth, mastodon, giant sloth, three-toed horse, etc.
Collecting Method: Sifting gravel bars with screens during the dry season (January–May). Scuba diving or snorkeling is also popular in the shallower stretches of the river.
Accessibility: Public access points near Wauchula and Arcadia; fossil permits required for river collecting. Especially for mammal fossils.
Venice Beach, Florida (USA)
Nicknamed the “Shark Tooth Capital of the World,” Venice Beach is one of the easiest and most family-friendly fossil hunting locations in the U.S. Megalodon teeth continually wash ashore here due to wave action, exposing offshore fossil layers.
While most beach finds are small (under 2”), diving just offshore reveals larger Megalodon teeth, prehistoric whale bones, and sometimes rare mammal fossils such as Mammoth and Mastodon teeth in the underlying Peace River Formation. Local charters offer guided dives where collectors frequently find 4–5" specimens. Some popular local Venice, Florida charters include:
- Aquanutz Diving
- Black Gold Fossil Charters
- DustyDiscoveries Fossil Charters
- Top2Bottom Offshore Charters
While you can take one of the above charters to go find your own megalodon shark tooth, you can also snorkel or even dive from one of Venice's famous beaches. Casperson and Manasota Beach are both popular destinations for sifting, snorkeling, and diving.
Typical Finds: Black, blue, or gray enamel fossil shark teeth & mammal fossils.
Collecting Method: Shoreline sifting, shallow diving 1–3 miles offshore, charter diving (further offshore to hit those rich fossil beds).
Accessibility: Public beaches; no permit required for surface collecting, scuba diving charters.
Bone Valley, Florida (USA)
The legendary Bone Valley Formation in central Florida has produced some of the most colorful and perfectly preserved Megalodon teeth ever found (minus the ones with feeding tip damage, of course). These fossils were preserved in phosphate mines active during the early to mid-1900s, though collecting there today is restricted to existing private collections or old spoil piles. If you're found trespassing on their property, you can be hit with a hefty fine and a felony. Which is not worth the fossils that you can find. At least, in my personal opinion.
Bone Valley Megalodon teeth are famous among collectors for their pastel blue, orange, white, and green hues, smooth enamel, and excellent serrations. They’re often smaller than ocean finds but much rarer and highly valuable due to their color.
Typical Finds: Blue, orange, white, or green Megalodon teeth (averaging 2–4"), perfect enamel and serrations most of the time, but not always.
Accessibility: Private land only; specimens primarily available through fossil dealers or mine workers.
South Carolina Rivers (USA)
The Cooper, Edisto, and Ashley Rivers in South Carolina are world-renowned for producing some of the largest, darkest, and most beautifully serrated Megalodon teeth ever found. These blackwater rivers cut through phosphate-rich sediments dating back 10+ million years.
Divers often recover average to large 3–7” specimens in pitch black waters, alongside fossils of whales, dolphins, and other mammal fossils. The teeth here are usually dark black to gray due to heavy phosphate mineralization and can range from pristine to heavily worn. Collecting fossils here tends to be more dangerous due to the higher currents that some of these waterways produce and the inches of visibility that you normally have to deal with. Even with the dangers, divers who explore these waterways are often rewarded with some incredible specimens.
Typical Finds: Large black, gray, or dark brown Megalodon teeth, intact or worn serrations.
Collecting Method: Scuba diving with mesh bags and sifting tools.
Accessibility: Dive-only; experienced divers recommended due to currents and visibility.
Wilmington, North Carolina (USA)
Off the coast of Wilmington, North Carolina, are fossil-rich areas along the Atlantic coastal plain. Offshore ledges and local riverbanks expose layers of the Pliocene Yorktown Formation, where Megalodon and other prehistoric shark teeth are frequently discovered. This location is one of the heavier locations where divers bring up bags of larger, but lesser in quality, fossil megalodon and other fossil shark teeth. Which, you can see an abundance of this on the fossil market today.
This region has yielded teeth in a variety of earthy colors, from tan and caramel to dark gray and brown, and some still have sharp or semi-sharp serrations, but most don't. Diving off Wilmington offers some of the clearest water visibility for Megalodon hunters on the East Coast. However, the depth is a bit extreme for most divers (80-120 feet). Being nitrox certified or even having a rebreather is often recommended for this location for a longer bottom time.
Typical Finds: Medium to large Megalodon teeth (3–6”), tan, orange-brown to gray enamel.
Collecting Method: Mostly offshore diving; limited riverbank collecting.
Accessibility: Dive charters available; permits may apply for some river access.
Calvert Cliffs, Maryland (USA)
The Calvert Cliffs along Chesapeake Bay are a fossil hunter’s dream, with 15+ miles of Miocene-age marine deposits constantly eroding and revealing new fossils. The cliffs are part of the Calvert Formation, one of the richest Miocene fossil beds in North America.
While Megalodon teeth here are typically smaller (1–3”), the diversity of species is unmatched. Great White, Hemi, Thresher, Tiger, Sand Tiger, and Lemon sharks are all represented, along with fossil whale bones and turtle shells. This location can be difficult to get to, especially with the limited access to the more fossil-rich areas of the ledge. Tides are also an important thing to keep track of when trying to hunt here. So, keep that in mind.
Typical Finds: Small to medium Megalodon teeth (1–4”), colors can vary from gray to tan.
Collecting Method: Surface collecting along the beach below the cliff faces; no digging permitted.
Accessibility: Public access at Brownie’s Beach and Calvert Cliffs State Park. You can also take a boat up to the beach if you have one.
Savannah River, Georgia (USA)
The Savannah River, flowing between Georgia and South Carolina, is a hidden gem for Megalodon divers. Its fossil-rich sediments date back millions of years, containing both Megalodon and other prehistoric marine species.
Divers often recover large, heavy Megalodon teeth with dark coloration due to high phosphate content. Savannah is particularly known for really nice teeth with intact enamel, sharp serrations, and solid roots, making them popular among collectors. Some teeth can even come loaded with pyrite embedded within the bourlette, enamel, and roots, making them even more valuable and desirable.
Typical Finds: 2–6” teeth, black, gray, tan to deep brown coloration.
Collecting Method: Mainly Blackwater diving.
Accessibility: Dive-only; permits or charters recommended.
Peru (Ocucaje Desert)
The Ocucaje Desert in southern Peru is one of the world’s most productive fossil regions for Megalodon teeth and prehistoric marine mammals. Once part of an ancient seabed, this desert preserves massive quantities of Miocene and Pliocene fossils.
Peruvian Megalodon teeth are known for their orange, tan, and caramel hues with some whites and blacks, caused by unique iron-rich mineralization. These fossils are often large and visually stunning, prized by collectors for their desert polish and rarity.
Typical Finds: Small, Medium, and Large 3–7” teeth, reds, whites, blacks, caramel, and gold tones, high mineral density.
Accessibility: Restricted area; legal collecting is limited to licensed excavations. No exports are allowed.
Indonesia (Java)
Indonesia’s Java fossil beds have become one of the most prolific modern sources for Megalodon teeth on the market. Found in phosphate-rich layers, these teeth are often extremely large, some exceeding 6 inches, and have distinctive color variations ranging from rich chocolate browns, tans, blues, to marbled grays.
Collectors value Indonesian Megalodon teeth for their size, enamel preservation, and affordability, as many reach the market through ethical private dig operations. But be wary of fakes, repaired, and restored teeth that are on the market. Some looking like ridiculous art projects. If you're curious about how to spot fakes, restored, or repaired teeth, be sure to read our other blog about it.
Typical Finds: 4–6” teeth, brown, tan, or gray enamel with glossy mineral finish.
Accessibility: Private excavations only; most specimens are exported via fossil dealers.
Chile (Atacama Desert)
The Atacama Desert in northern Chile once formed part of a prehistoric ocean basin rich in marine life. Today, it yields well-preserved Megalodon teeth alongside whale vertebrae, dolphin fossils, and marine reptile remains.
Teeth from this region are rare in the open market due to strict export laws, but museum-quality specimens show excellent serration detail and natural brown hues. These are often sought after collectors due to the export laws. Whether teeth are still coming out of the country due to illegal smuggling is yet to be known.
Typical Finds: 3–6” teeth, light tan to brown enamel, sharp serrations.
Accessibility: Protected fossil zone; collecting requires authorization.
Final Thoughts
From Florida’s Peace River to Peru’s ancient desert seabeds, every Megalodon tooth locality tells a story about Earth’s prehistoric oceans. These fossil sites are more than just collecting grounds; they’re portals to the Miocene, Pliocene world, where 60-foot sharks hunted whales and shaped marine ecosystems for millions of years.
Whether you’re a diver, collector, or first-time enthusiast, owning a Megalodon tooth from one of these world-famous sites connects you directly to that ancient history.
Explore authentic specimens from these renowned locations at Fossil Driven, where each fossil is hand-selected, ethically sourced, and guaranteed authentic.
