One of the things we love most about South Carolina is there are so many ways to engage in outdoor fun the entire family can enjoy. From a day at the beach to numerous parks and outdoor attractions, the possibilities are seemingly endless. Prepare for a day of adventure when you go fossil hunting on the South Carolina coast.

For most, a day on the beach means seeking out shells, star fish, and sand dollars.

But there are oh-so many other treasures to find in the sand.

Imagine scoring a giant megaladon tooth from the now extinct species of sharks that lived 23 to 3.6 million years ago.

The cooling of the oceans during the ice age, along with lower water levels in the oceans, are said to be major contributing factors to why the Megalodon (Carcharocles megalodon) disappeared from planet Earth.

But low and behold, the teeth from the mighty megalodon still surface, like this one found on Folly Beach in 2016.

That brings us to the subject of where to go if you're fossil hunting without a guide.

Folly Beach is secretly one of the best places along the coast to find fossils.

If you head here, shoot for Folly Beach County Park as a starting point.

The park is at the far end of the island and wraps all the way around the end of the island from the beach side to a significant amount of shoreline along the Folly River, too.

Another great place to find fossils?

Edisto Beach!

The low-key vibe of Edisto Island also makes it a favorite place for an extended adventure.

Edisto Beach State Park is a fantastic place to spend the day or a weekend. It includes marshy habitats on the backside of the island and two campgrounds.

Conversely, on the front side of the island, the park boasts 1.5 miles of beachfront real estate, primed for finding ancient treasures along the shore.

While fossil hunting is an activity the entire family can enjoy, it's also more fun when you're part of a fossil hunting expedition. The experts know precisely where to go to make the day a win for everyone. Plus...

There's something to be said for their expertise, too — so when you find something extraordinary, like this chunk of Goose Creek limestone with the margin of a clam embedded within, you'll have someone to identify what you've found.

Luckily, there's a tour company on the coast that offers fossil hunting adventures on both Folly Beach and Edisto Beach (as well as a special kayaking adventure). You can learn more and book your adventure on the official website of Charleston Fossil Adventures.