Coastal Field Station · Cape Fear River

Shark Tooth
Island.

A public field station and resource hub for Shark Tooth Island — a working sandbar in the Cape Fear River where Miocene and Pliocene deposits continue to surface with every tide. Identification, planning, coastal history, and the tools to visit well.

Station Coordinates

34.1175° N

77.9306° W

New Hanover County, NC

Aerial view of Shark Tooth Island — a dredge spoil island in the Cape Fear River
Field Notes New

How Shark Tooth Island Was Made

The fossils are ancient. The island is newer. Explore the dredging and Cape Fear River history behind one of the coast's strangest fossil-hunting spots.

Read the Story arrow_forward
Tools & Resources

Plan a Better Trip.

Kayaker paddling toward Shark Tooth Island on the Cape Fear River
Species Catalog

What You're Likely to Find.

Six species that surface regularly on Shark Tooth Island — from the common to the apex.

Full Identification Catalog arrow_forward

Field Notes, Delivered.

Occasional updates from the station — tidal windows, new finds, and field notes from the Cape Fear River. No spam.