Matoaka Beach is a hidden beach in Maryland where you can visit to have fun, hunt for fossils and Shark Teeth. The beach is also an excellent spot for a weekend getaway as they offer cabins on-site for rent. If you are planning to visit, the beach area is open to the public every day from 7 am to 7 pm. However, if they are already at total capacity, you will have to wait until the management makes space for you.
This hidden gem beach is a great destination to find shark teeth if you successfully follow our tips.
In this blog I will cover tips on how to find shark teeth and fossils, things you might need, and other important information about the beach to help you be prepared.
Tips on Fossil and Shark Teeth Hunting
We hope to help you find as many shark teeth and fossils as possible during your adventures. Therefore, it is essential to know where to go? When to go? What to look for? And what to bring?
1. The Best Time To Visit Is During Low Tide Or After A Heavy Rain
Even though Matoaka beach is the perfect place to find fossils, you still need to look around to see where the sand has the most sediment. Sediment is a good source of finding material from the mountains and oceans.
The perfect time to look for fossils is during low tide since that way you can see more parts of the sand which allows for a deeper exploration. More space to look means more to find! How to tell when low tides are coming? The tide table is the website that I use to help me determine the best time to visit.
Look out for shiny black items because most fossil teeth are dark-colored. When I first started hunting for Shark Teeth, I was looking for white Teeth. 🤣
I was clearly not doing it right until I joined a Group of hunters at the beach!
2. Join a Group
If you have more eyes looking out for fossils/shark teeth, your chances of finding something increase drastically. Try going with a group of friends or family. Try making friends at the beach and looking for fossils/shark teeth together if that is possible.
Joining a group of hunters is also a safer option because others are there to look out for you.
3. Unlucky? Try Again
If you have trouble finding fossils or shark teeth, it is better to revisit the beach next day or take a short break and try again!
I also suggest creating a pile of sand at the edge of the beach wave. Let the water hit and be on the lookout for shark teeth. This is how I found most of the shark teeth.
4. Scan Away
A lot of valuable material can be stuck in a pile of shells. Therefore, sort out the packed items to discover the treasures hidden within these piles.
5. Scan for Colors
Most of the fossils are black, while new shark teeth are white. Start looking for black triangular shapes colored objects, and soon you will be on top of a treasure!
I was not lucky to find any white teeth, but I found so many black colored shark teeth.
7. Focus
Fossils and shark teeth can be relatively small, given the massiveness of the beach itself. Therefore, it becomes essential to narrow your vision to specific spots. A magnifying glass can help you concentrate.
8. Unwanted Treasures
Do not limit your search to the extent that you start walking past the teeth of other animals. Matoaka Beach is filled with fossils and teeth of many species, so you should always look for something unique.
Things you Might Need
- Storing Matoaka beach fossils will require a sturdy bag because you might have more than you bargained for.
- Proper shoes, trust me when I say the sand can be rough on your feet. If you are shark tooth and fossil hunting during the summer or winter season, water shoes will work great and rubber boots, so you can walk along the shell and rock laden shore without discomfort or freezing your tootsies off.
- Hat and sunscreen is very necessary to protect against the sun.
- If you plan to go to the beach when the sun isn’t entirely out, it is advisable to keep a source of light with you.
- You might need some Saran Wrap if you stumble upon delicate fossils to preserve them.
What Else?
The beach charges an admission cost of $5 per person on the weekdays and $10 on the weekends. You can plan a fun trip with your friends or family and stop by at Ruddy Duck Brewery & Grill to get lunch before heading to the beach or your cabin. Also, don’t forget to get lots of snacks and drinks on your way there to make the overall experience even more delightful.
Speaking of cabins, you can rent out a cabin and enjoy the perks of being a walk away from the beach. The daily rent is $139, suitable for up to 7 people. You get all the delightful amenities such as; a refrigerator, stove, microwave, and a coffee maker! So, if you are planning a fun getaway, you can make a reservation for Matoaka Beach Cabins.
However, keep in mind that their cabins are outdated. We suggest your own bedding for a more comfortable experience. Additionally, you can also reach out to the Matoaka Beach management so they can make proper arrangements for your reservation. Furthermore, if you are not in the mood for a cabin, you can also book a hotel through Booking.com and enjoy free breakfasts. They have rooms that are just 2.7 miles away from Matoaka Beach. Maryland will never disappoint you.
Other Beaches to Consider for Shark Tooth and Fossil Hunting
I will be sharing more information about these beaches in my next blog, Where to find Shark Teeth in the DMV area?
