Does anyone else get Florida summer fatigue? Hurricane season seems to stretch to eternity. By the time September rolls around, I have had enough and long for the days when the pea soup air disappears and the first cold front rolls in. Going on a few fun trips instead of sitting underneath the air conditioning vent certainly makes the summer more enjoyable.
Despite 2021 being a busy year for us, including a house move, we decided to check out Manasota Key in the summer. It’s a cute and relaxed place with a distinct whiff of Old Florida, which I loved. We didn’t know that Manasota Key is also a fantastic place for finding fossilized shark teeth that can be up to 15 million years old. A fun activity for young and old.
Stump Pass Beach State Park is the Place to Find Shark Teeth
We had no idea how popular shark teeth hunting is on Manasota Key. Apparently, Stump Pass Beach at the southern end of the Key is the prime beach for finding shark teeth in the area. And it shows. As soon as we got to Stump Pass Beach State Park, we saw them: countless adults sitting spread-eagled on the beach, fascinated by whatever was on the ground in front of them. Their eyes were glued to the sand with hands carefully sifting through the layers upon layers of shells, determined not to miss the tiniest of treasures.
At first, it struck me as odd, but then I saw people coming back with little plastic bags full of brown non-descript shrapnels. I concluded that those must be the famous shark teeth. That was the moment I got sucked into the craze. My archaeologist instinct told me to start digging – for teeth. After hours of sifting through the hot sand and getting even hotter, I found one measly piece. Could it be, might it be, with a lot of imagination, a fragment of a shark tooth? I wanted to think so. The thought of coming home with empty hands after spending an afternoon sifting sand was just too much. What do you think?
However, the magnificent Stump Pass beach is not only good for shark teeth-hunting but is also an excellent swimming and shelling beach. We found some beautiful, big, and intact shells here.
Things to Do in Manasota Key
Manasota Key is a place for “being” and not for “doing”. When you search the internet for things to do here, you will find “stay at such and such hotel” or ” enjoy the sunsets”. And that just about sums it up. People looking for theme parks, shopping, or a thriving nightlife will be bitterly disappointed here. However, those who want to relax from the daily grind, stare at an impeccably turquoise ocean for hours, swim, or do absolutely nothing, will find a little paradise here. My favorite things to do in Manasota Key don’t involve a lot of “doing”:
- Watching out for dolphins and sea turtles
- Swimming in the gorgeous ocean
- Walking Stump Pass Beach
- Shelling
- Hunting for shark teeth
- Watching beach sunsets
- Kayaking or paddleboarding
- Simply enjoying the scenery and slower pace
Planning Your Visit
If you are looking to hunt for shark teeth, I was told the best time to visit is after a storm when the ocean releases all its treasures. However, others say that there are enough shark teeth to make any time a good time to find them here. I would recommend bringing lots of sun-screen, a wide-brimmed hat, plenty of water, and a ton of patience. Stump Pass Beach Park is open 365 days a year and, at the time of writing, costs $3 per vehicle. I recommend getting there early as parking is limited. The park is located at 900 Gulf Blvd., Englewood, FL 34233.
This sounds perfect for families. My kids love the odd stops like shark teeth and explorer sites. We are riding Red Coach, so we have plenty of time and space to transport gifts too.