A Monster Discovery: Unearthing a Megalodon Tooth on the Crystal Coast

This week, during one of our Dolphins, Wildlife and Shelling Tours near Swansboro, Captain Seth found something rare even for this stretch of coast: a real Megalodon tooth.

People come aboard hoping for a good run on the water, a chance to spot dolphins, some bird activity over the marsh, and maybe time to search the shoreline for shells or fossil finds. That is exactly what this tour is built for. It is a private, discovery-focused cruise aimed at dolphins and coastal wildlife, with time for shoreline finds. But every now and then, the coast gives up something much older.

Megalodon Teeth & North Carolina

A Megalodon tooth is a physical piece of North Carolina’s deep coastal history. That matters especially on the Crystal Coast, because North Carolina officially adopted fossilized Megalodon teeth as the state fossil. When a tooth like this turns up near Swansboro, it is directly tied to the natural history of this state.

What Was the Megalodon?

Megalodon was the largest shark known to have lived in the world’s oceans. Smithsonian Ocean notes that sharks like the Megalodon had skeletons made mostly of cartilage. Because cartilage fossilizes poorly, much of what scientists know about the Megalodon comes from its teeth and a smaller set of preserved remains.

The Smithsonian also notes that some Megalodon teeth exceed seven inches in vertical height. The sheer scale tells you immediately that this was not an ordinary shark.

Swansboro, Emerald Isle, and the White Oak River

Swansboro, a historic waterfront community at the mouth of the White Oak River, was founded in 1783. Its early history was tied to shipbuilding and working the water, making it a natural anchor point for a tour built around wildlife, shoreline searching, and water-based local knowledge.

The White Oak River basin covers much of Onslow and Carteret counties. It includes the White Oak River and its tributaries, as well as Bogue and Core sounds. The DEQ also lists Emerald Isle among the municipalities within that broader basin. Swansboro, Emerald Isle, the White Oak River, and the broader Crystal Coast are all interconnected parts of this same coastal system.

Common Finds on This Tour

Real Teeth We Find

The shark teeth in this picture are real teeth we photographed and feature on our business cards.

While a Megalodon tooth is a rare discovery, the shifting sands and tidal changes regularly turn up other items along our routes. Common shoreline finds during our stops include:

• Shark Teeth: Fossilized teeth from Bull, Sand Tiger, and Lemon sharks.

• Whelks: Intact knobbed and channeled whelks.

• Sand Dollars: Whole specimens often found resting in the shallows.

• Sea Glass: Saltwater-tumbled pieces in green, brown, and white.

• Olive Shells and Scallops: Intact shells found along the quieter beaches and sandbars.

Want to explore the Crystal Coast?