Fossil hunting on the Dinosaur Coast

What you can find

• Ammonites, the coiled ‘snakestones’ of Whitby legend, the classic find.
• Belemnites (bullet-shaped) and Devil's toenails (Gryphaea, a fossil oyster).
• Marine-reptile remains, ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs turn up. A near-complete marine crocodile skeleton found in a cliff near Whitby was bought by Whitby Museum in 1824; the museum in Pannett Park has a large collection of Jurassic marine reptiles.
• Fossil plants and iron pyrite (‘fool's gold’).
• Whitby jet, the black gemstone, fossilised monkey-puzzle wood around 180 million years old, made famous by Victorian mourning jewellery.

Where to go

• Runswick Bay, sandy and rocky with rockpools, diverse ammonites; a family-friendly spot.
• Robin Hood's Bay, ammonites, Devil's toenails and pyritised shells on a scenic, family-friendly shore.
• Staithes, ammonites common on the foreshore; the northern end of the Dinosaur Coast; a steep but manageable walk into the village.
• Saltwick Bay, just south of Whitby past the Abbey; ammonites in nodules, plus jet; steep steps down and crumbly cliffs, so take care.
• Boggle Hole and Sandsend, quieter hotspots.

For experienced hunters only: Port Mulgrave and Kettleness are highly productive (reptile remains) but have steep, difficult and sometimes dangerous access, not suitable for children.

Fossil hunting at Saltwick Bay

Saltwick Bay lies just south of Whitby, past the Abbey. Drivers use the lane signed for the holiday park (YO22 4JX) and take the steps down to the beach. The steps and path are steep and slippery after rain, with no handrail for much of the way.

Ammonites are mostly inside rounded nodules among the boulders in the centre of the bay, which is also the best area for children. Jet and belemnites turn up too. Saltwick Nab and the wreck of the Admiral Von Tromp, which ran aground in 1976, are the landmarks.

The sea reaches the cliff foot, so it is easy to be cut off. Go on a falling tide and leave in good time. The bay is an SSSI: collect loose material only and do not hammer the bedrock.

Fossils at Robin Hood's Bay

Ammonites, belemnites, Gryphaea (Devil's toenails) and pen shells are found on the rock scars and among loose stones uncovered at low tide. The north side, towards the cliffs, is usually the most productive, especially after winter storms.

Park at the top of the village (YO22 4QN) and walk down to Robin Hood's Bay. The scars are slippery and the tide comes in quickly, so keep young children close and stay away from the cliff foot. Boggle Hole, about a mile south along the shore, is worth exploring too. This coast is an SSSI, so take loose material only.

Hunt safely and responsibly

Read where to check Whitby tide predictions and official beach safety advice before setting off.

The Dinosaur Coast is beautiful and, in places, genuinely hazardous. Follow the code:

• Check tide times and, following the National Park Authority's guidance, set out two to three hours before low tide. Never risk being cut off by an incoming tide.
• Stay well away from the base of the cliffs; they are crumbly and rockfalls happen. The best finds are loose on the foreshore, not in the cliff.
• Wear sturdy footwear; beaches are slippery and uneven.
• Collect responsibly: take only loose fossils from the beach, do not hammer into the cliffs (parts are protected as SSSIs), and follow the National Park's fossil-hunting guidelines.
• Fresh material appears after storms and rough seas, the best time to look.

For families or first-timers, a guided fossil hunt is a safe way to start. Several local operators run them along this coast, including Yorkshire Coast Rocks, which the National Park lists.

For fossils indoors, see the Whitby Museum visitor guide.

Make a day of it

Combine a fossil hunt with the beach, a clifftop walk on the Cleveland Way, and fish and chips in Whitby, see the coast, and where to stay to base yourself near the shore.

Frequently asked questions

Tide advice checked 18 October 2026 against the National Park Authority's fossil hunting guidance.

Where is the best place to find fossils on the Yorkshire coast?

Runswick Bay, Robin Hood's Bay, Staithes and Saltwick Bay near Whitby are the most accessible and productive spots for ammonites; Port Mulgrave and Kettleness are richer still but have difficult, hazardous access unsuitable for children.

What fossils can you find on the North York Moors coast?

Mostly Jurassic ammonites and belemnites, along with Devil's toenails, fossil shells and plants, and occasionally marine-reptile remains. Plus Whitby jet, the black gemstone.

Where can you find fossils near Whitby?

Saltwick Bay, just south of the Abbey, is the nearest productive spot. Whitby's own beaches turn up finds too, and Robin Hood's Bay is six miles south.

Can you find fossils at Saltwick Bay?

Yes. Ammonites are mostly inside rounded nodules among the boulders in the centre of the bay. Check the tides before you go, as the sea reaches the cliff foot, and take care on the steep steps down.

Is Robin Hood's Bay good for fossils?

Yes. Ammonites and belemnites turn up on the rock scars uncovered at low tide, with the best finds usually after winter storms. Check the tides first, as the sea comes in quickly.

Is fossil hunting safe for children?

At family-friendly beaches like Runswick Bay, Robin Hood's Bay and Staithes, yes, with supervision. Check tides, keep away from the cliffs, and avoid the difficult-access coves like Port Mulgrave and Kettleness.

Do I need to check the tides?

Yes, always. The National Park Authority advises setting out two to three hours before low tide. Check your exit and the tide's direction, and stay well away from the base of steep cliffs.

Sources checked 19 October 2026: National Park fossil hunting guidance; Whitby Museum; UK Fossils site guides for Saltwick Bay and Robin Hood's Bay.