If you’ve spent any time in the Jacksonville area, then we’re sure that you have heard of Mickler’s Landing Beach. But have you been there? And do you know how it’s actually pronounced? Mickler’s (pronounced “mike-lers”) Landing is the first public beach in Ponte Vedra located just two blocks east of A1A. One of the best beaches in Jacksonville, it’s is a favorite for locals and tourists.
Mickler’s is the Best Spot to Find Shark Teeth
Sun bathing, surfing, shells and shark teeth! When visiting Mickler’s Landing Beach you will notice beach go-ers hunched over as they walk the coast line scanning for tiny (or hopefully large) black, shiny triangles. Aside from shark teeth, you may find stingray teeth, vertebrae, and other fossils. There’s even an entire facebook group dedicated to all the fossils and artifacts found while at Mickler’s. You may even stumble on centuries old Spanish coins washed up from a shipwreck off the coast, seriously!
If you are venturing to Mickler’s purely to hunt for sharks teeth make sure to check the tides before you go. Low tide offers plenty of shoreline to look for sharks teeth. The tides schedule makes for a new beach every twelve hours. Fossilized shark teeth are in abundance in Northeast Florida and can range in age from 10,000 years old to an incredible 75 million years old. Patches of shell beds along the shoreline often are prime spots to spot the rich black triangles. Most teeth that you will find are small, if you look for the small teeth, occasionally you will spot larger ones.
Wildlife at Mickler’s Landing Beach
The shelling and wildlife viewing at Mickler’s Landing can also be quite spectacular. The pink hued coquina sand is the backdrop for this beautiful beach. Popular shell species you may find here are whelks, olives, clams, and periwinkles. Wildlife such as dolphins, whales and sharks swimming off the coast, starfish, gopher tortoises and possibly sea turtles. They are all a possibility to view here, some even on the shore.
While there is a large, free public parking lot on site often on weekends and holidays it may be hard to secure a parking spot. Located near the entrance/walkway to the beach are bathroom facilities and outdoor showers. The entrance to the beach has a handicap accessible wood boardwalk and long carpeted walkway. Mickler’s is also a dog friendly beach, as long as pets are leashed.
Mickler’s Landing Beach is located at 1106 A1A N, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082. Once you find your first shark tooth here at Mickler’s Landing you will want to return again and again. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!
Jillian Gishler is a New Englander at heart. Born in Jacksonville Beach, she grew up in Massachusetts but was beckoned back to Florida by Mickey Mouse for a Disney World Internship. She returned to the beach in 2005 after graduating from Florida State. Ten years ago she opened her handmade & vintage collective shop, Sew Vicious, in Neptune Beach. Jillian raises chickens, is a passionate gardener, a DIYer, a thrift store junkie, a deal loving mama, and has several inspirational travel journals available on Amazon. She leads her daughters Girl Scout Troop, teaches sewing at a local Montessori School, and is a Parents Who Lead Alumni. She loves surprising her husband and daughters with mini-vacations around the Sunshine State.
