THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Spend a full day offshore with Captain Nick and marine biologist Shark Lady Emily searching Florida's submerged fossil beds. This three-dive, eight-hour charter combines hands-on collecting, expert ID, and the thrill of uncovering prehistoric shark teeth you get to keep.
Spend a full day offshore with Captain Nick and marine biologist Shark Lady Emily searching Florida's submerged fossil beds. This three-dive, eight-hour charter combines hands-on collecting, expert ID, and the thrill of uncovering prehistoric shark teeth you get to keep.
Book with Shark Lady Enterprises
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Shark Lady Enterprises · Englewood, Florida
Off Englewood's Gulf Coast, just south of Sarasota, Florida, Shark Lady Enterprises runs the 3-Tank Fossil Dive Charter, an eight-hour, three-dive expedition that turns the seafloor into a classroom. Aboard a 29-foot Intrepid with Captain Nick at the helm and marine biologist Shark Lady Emily on deck, certified divers drop to fossil-bearing flats and sand channels to search for prehistoric shark teeth and Ice Age relics they can keep. Over more than 1,000 fossil dives, Captain Nick has fine-tuned routes to fossil concentrations and handles the boat so divers can focus on careful searching. The dive sites lie over Pleistocene-aged deposits where storms and currents expose tooth-bearing strata; divers will find accents of shell hash, limestone ledges, and sculpted sand ripples rather than dramatic walls. The real draw is the fossils: teeth from modern and fossil shark species, occasional mastodon-era bone fragments, and teeth that hint at megafauna from older seas. Even when a Megalodon tooth doesn’t turn up, the tactile thrill of brushing away sand and revealing a serrated edge is a moment most guests remember. This trip is equal parts science and adventure. Shark Lady Emily helps identify specimens, explains shark biology and local ecology, and places each find in a geological timeline. Three tanks, weights, and guidance are provided; divers must be Open Water certified and prepared for boat operations and repeated descents. Between dives the boat’s benches and bean bags offer a place to drink water, inspect finds, and swap stories while the captain runs short transits between sites. Practicalities matter: the charter runs eight hours and covers several shallow to moderate depths suited to fossil-hunting profiles rather than deep technical diving. Group size details vary, so ask at booking. Safety briefings, gear checks, and buoyancy control are emphasized — good finning technique and relaxed search patterns increase your odds. For divers who love natural history, this is a standout Coastal Florida outing: it combines hands-on collecting, expert interpretation, and the unique geology of Florida's submerged fossil beds. It's also a local institution — Captain Nick's experience and Shark Lady Enterprises' community ties help preserve knowledge about the region's marine past while encouraging responsible collecting. If you're arriving in Englewood or nearby towns, set aside a full day for salt, sun, and the chance to bring home an actual piece of prehistory. Expect variable sea conditions: winter and spring cold fronts can make the water choppier, while summer typically offers calmer seas and warmer water. Bring a dive log, masks, and a waterproof notebook for specimen notes. Owners provide ID help but follow local collecting rules. Book early in high season and communicate dive experience so the crew can tailor site selection for your skill and safety.
Yes. Open Water SCUBA certification is required; the crew will verify certification before boarding.
No. The charter targets fossil-rich areas but specific finds can't be guaranteed—many guests find modern and fossil shark teeth and occasional Ice Age fragments.
Three tanks and weights are provided; bring your personal mask, regs, BC, and any preferred dive tech unless the operator specifies otherwise.
Minimum age is 16 according to the trip listing—confirm at booking for any exceptions.
Bring motion-sickness medication if you're prone to it; the captain can choose calmer transit routes when possible.
Guests may keep fossils they personally collect, but please follow local collecting regulations and guidance from the crew.
Shark Lady Enterprises is a Nokomis, Florida-based charter operator specializing in fossil dive experiences along Florida’s Gulf Coast. The company runs 3-tank and 4-tank fossil dive charters that focus on searching for prehistoric shark teeth, Ice Age fossils, and other underwater finds. Trips include a full-day 4-Tank Fossil Dive Charter and an 8-hour 3-Tank Fossil Dive Charter led by Captain Nick. Divers and guests are guided by experienced dive crews and marine biologists who provide instruction on site selection, fossil identification, and safe diving practices. Each charter emphasizes hands-on discovery: participants search the seafloor for fossils and are allowed to keep their finds. The itineraries combine recreational diving with educational commentary, offering insight into paleontology and local marine history. Boats depart from Nokomis and operate along the nearby Gulf Coast fossil sites known for yielding shark teeth and Ice Age remains. Safety briefings, dive planning, and gear considerations are addressed before each trip to prepare divers of varying experience levels. Shark Lady Enterprises serves recreational divers, fossil enthusiasts, and families seeking an educational adventure on the water. The business highlights tangible takeaways—authentic fossils recovered during dives—and the guidance of professionals who explain the geological context of discoveries. For visitors interested in hands-on marine archaeology and fossil hunting, these charters provide a focused, discovery-driven way to explore Florida’s submerged paleontological resources. Reservations are arranged through the charter operator; schedules vary by season and weather. Trips include hands-on instruction from the captain and crew on identifying, handling, and preserving fossil finds.
Book with Shark Lady Enterprises