Fossil Hunting Tours

Explore the Past 15 Million Years!

About Our Fossil Hunting Tours

Join Professional Guide, Fred Mazza, in exploring Florida’s ancient past hidden in the beds of our rivers. While wading in specially selected river beds in shallow waters you will learn to find and identify a variety of fossil material. You are guaranteed to go home with additions to your collection (or to start your new collection!).

We supply the canoes to get you there and find the goodies! Canoes allow us to access more remote and often less collected locations, as well as take in more wildlife sightings and scenery.
Appropriate for all levels of experience. Anyone with enthusiasm to explore the really old Florida is cordially invited! Fossil-hunting is done by digging and sifting gravel from shallow river bottoms- even kids 5 and up can do it.
All tours are by reservation, not by regular schedule. Weekends and weekdays are available all year, just email us through our contact form or give us a call at (772) 539-7005 to request a specific day. Short notice? No problem, we’ll do our best to accommodate you!
These tours are also suitable to large groups and schools who would like to introduce their students to Florida history and paleontology. Ask about discounted group rates for class/field trips. References available on request.

How much does it cost?

Our canoe fossil-hunting tours are $125. per person for teens and adults. Kids age 12 and under are $90. Private tours can also be arranged; please call for info. We can accept cash, Venmo, Zelle, or US checks made out to Paleo Discoveries on the day of your tour. Deposits are not necessary to hold reservations. We do not process credit/debit cards on our tours.

Where do we go?

Fossil hunting expeditions generally take place on the Peace River in central Fla. and are approximately 2 hours driving distance from West Palm Beach, Vero Beach areas, 1 hour from Sarasota, Tampa, approximately 90 minutes from the Orlando area. and 1 hour from downtown Ft. Myers. We often visit the towns of Wauchula and Bowling Green. Transportation is not supplied. Tours last 5-6 hours, not including travel time.

When and where do we meet?

We usually meet at a pre-arranged location near the river at 9:30 am. We return to our vehicles about 3:30 PM. We’ll supply directions to the meeting location the day before your trip.

What do I wear?

1. Clothing that can get wet and preferably dries easily such as bathing suits. Regular shorts and t-shirts ok. We suggest you wear things that you don’t mind getting dirty. 2. Closed footwear that is secure on your feet such as water shoes or sneakers w/socks. (More comfortable if sand and fine gravel get in.) Dive boots are great if you’ve got ’em. Flip flops, wading boots or any open shoes or sandals are not recommended because sand and gravel will get in them. 3. A wide brim hat, sunglasses and sunscreen are also highly recommended.

What else should I bring?

We supply the equipment you will need to collect fossils (e.g., screens, shovels, etc.). We also supply life jackets and vests for our canoe tours. We usually have a snorkel or two on hand for you to use if the water is clear; if you want to bring your own, feel free.

What to Bring:

1. Your own lunch and drinks. A cooler is fine for our canoe tours, they will fit in the boat if under 30″ long.

2. Water Shoes, Change of Clothes and a Towel

3. Any allergy or other medications you made need.

4. We also highly recommend you bring a dry bag or zip lock bag to keep phones, keys and wallets dry.

Important Notes

1. All minors must be accompanied by an adult. Keep in mind that fossil hunting expeditions are in essence field trips. Canoe trips are not recommended for children under 5 yrs old.

2. Florida state law requires a fossil-hunting permit to collect vertebrate fossils (shark teeth excepted) on state lands and rivers. WE HAVE A GROUP VERTEBRATE FOSSIL HUNTING PERMIT TO COVER YOU ON OUR TOURS. NO NEED TO APPLY FOR A PERMIT TO ATTEND OUR TOUR. Invertebrate fossils such as sand dollars and shells do not require a permit.

3. Florida law prohibits the collection of archeological (Native American) artifacts on all STATE (private exempt) lands and rivers without specific authorization. This law was recently enforced! (Feb. 2013) Paleo Discoveries abides by this law and does not actively collect any archeological artifacts of any kind.