About Our Fossil Hunting Trips

About Our Fossil Hunting Tours

Our "Fossil Hunting Tours" have been designed for families, beginners and enthusiasts to show you how to find fossils in a safe and responsible manner. 

All our tours take place on the North Yorkshire coastline around the seaside fishing port of Whitby.

The trips are very tide dependant. As such we have designed these trips based on the best possible tidal times. These "good" tide times only occur every other week. 

Due to the distances and terrain it can be unsuitable for very small children and those with certain medical conditions. Please check the suitability sections of each tour to find out more. 

This year we are running tours to the following locations more specific information about our trips can be found on our booking pages. 

Saltwick Bay - In the Footprints of Dinosaurs - A 3 hour tour, from whitby to Saltwick Bay, taking in the Abbey, and dinosaur footprints.

Runswick Bay - In the Search for Sea Dragons - A 2-3 hour tour, at Runswick Bay. Ideal for younger children and beginners.

Special Fossil Safari - Sandsend - A 3-4 hour tour, for more intermediate level hunters. lower age limit of 8 years old and above. 

Special Fossil Safari - Kettleness - A 3-4 hour tour, for more intermediate level hunters. lower age limit of 8 years old and above. 

Booking

Booking is essential.

Costs

£10 plus vat for children

£20 plus vat for adults

Trips during school holidays get booked up the quickest so I would advise booking well in advance to avoid disappointment.

Click on the link above to book direct.

2024 Dates

Sunday 14th January 2024 at 09.30

Saltwick Bay "In the Footprints of Dinosaurs"

Sunday 11th February 2024 at 08.45

Saltwick Bay "In the Footprints of Dinosaurs"

Tuesday 13th February 2024 at 10.00

Saltwick Bay "In the Footprints of Dinosaurs"

Saturday 17th February 2024 at 14.00

Runswick Bay "In the Search of Sea Dragons"

Saturday 2nd March 2024 at 11.00 

Saltwick Bay "In the Footprints of Dinosaurs"

Sunday 10th March 2024 at 09.00

Runswick Bay "In the Search of Sea Dragons"

Thursday 14th March 2024 at 09.45

Saltwick Bay "In the Footprints of Dinosaurs"

Saturday 16th March 2024 at 11.00 

Saltwick Bay "In the Footprints of Dinosaurs"

Sunday 17th March 2024 at 13.30

Runswick Bay "In the Search of Sea Dragons"

Saturday 30th March 2024 at 10.00

Runswick Bay "In the Search of Sea Dragons"

Sunday 31st March 2024 at 12.30

Saltwick Bay "In the Footprints of Dinosaurs"

Saturday 27th April 2024 at 10.00

 Saltwick Bay "In the Footprints of Dinosaurs"

Sunday 28th April 2024 at 12.00

Runswick Bay "In the Search of Sea Dragons"

Saturday 11th May 2024 at 9.30

Saltwick Bay "In the Footprints of Dinosaurs"

Saturday 6th July 2024 at 10.00

Runswick Bay "In the Search of Sea Dragons"

Sunday 7th July 2024 at 9.30

Saltwick Bay "In the Footprints of Dinosaurs"

Saturday 20th July 2024 at 9.00

Runswick Bay "In the Search of Sea Dragons"

Sunday 21st July 2024 at 8.30

Saltwick Bay "In the Footprints of Dinosaurs"

Saturday 27th July 2024 at 12.45

Saltwick Bay "In the Footprints of Dinosaurs"

Sunday 28th July 2024 at 15.00

Runswick Bay "In the Search of Sea Dragons"

Saturday 3rd August 2024 at 9.00

Runswick Bay "In the Search of Sea Dragons"

Sunday 4th August 2024 at 8.30

Saltwick Bay "In the Footprints of Dinosaurs"

Tuesday 6th August 2024 at 10.00

Sandsend "Special Safari" (Intermediate level)

Wednesday 7th August 2024 at 10.30

Saltwick Bay "In the Footprints of Dinosaurs"

Thursday 8th August 2024 at 12.45

Runswick Bay "In the Search of Sea Dragons"

Saturday 24th August 2024 at 11.30

Saltwick Bay "In the Footprints of Dinosaurs"

Sunday 25th August 2024 at 12.45

Runswick Bay "In the Search of Sea Dragons"

Saturday 7th September 2024 at 10.30

Saltwick Bay "In the Footprints of Dinosaurs"

Saturday 21st September 2024 at 9.30

Saltwick Bay "In the Footprints of Dinosaurs"

Sunday 22nd September 2024 at 12.30

Runswick Bay "In the Search of Sea Dragons"

Saturday 5th October 2024 at 9.30

Saltwick Bay "In the Footprints of Dinosaurs"

Sunday 6th October 2024 at 11.30

Runswick Bay "In the Search of Sea Dragons"

Saturday 19th October 2024 at 9.30

Saltwick Bay "In the Footprints of Dinosaurs"

Sunday 20th October 2024 at 11.30

Runswick Bay "In the Search of Sea Dragons"

MORE 2024 DATES COMING SOON

Where do we meet and what time do the trips leave?

Start times and meeting spots will be issued at the time of booking. 

Please arrive 15 minutes before the advertised start time.

All locations have been chosen due to the availability of car parking but during busy times please give plenty of time to find a car parking space and put enough on your car park ticket for the more than the length of the trip as sometimes the trips run over the allotted time.

Do we need to bring anything?

It is highly recommended that you wear sensible footwear such a wellington boots or hiking boots. There are rock-pools full of water and the surfaces can be very slippery. Good footwear is a must.

Bring appropriate clothing for the weather conditions.

Bring food and drink but remember what ever you bring with you must go home with you.

Finally you may want to bring a swag bag to put your awesome finds in.

Do we need to know anything else?

Please note that some of these tours are strenuous and can be very slippery under foot. They are not recommended for people with heart difficulties, people with walking difficulties, people with mobility issues, as well as very young children and babies. If you are unsure please get in touch we will be happy to answer any of you questions and queries.

Some of our tours do have a minimum age for children of 6 years old and over. This means that the terrain and distance is too much for younger children after taking feedback from previous families.

However, this year we are doing trips that would be more suitable for younger children ideally 4 years and up. Check the suitability and advertised age ranges on the individual tour page before booking.

If you have booked and are not planning on turning up for whatever reason please do let us know ASAP. We have a 24-hour answering machine in the shop so you can leave messages outside of shop hours.

Cancellation Policy?

If you cancel within 48 hours of your allocated trip then we can re-book you into another, offer a refund or offer you the money you have paid as store credit in the shop. If you do not turn up for the or cancel 24 hours before the trip then all monies paid will not be returned.

If we have to cancel due to unforeseen circumstances or inclement weather (extreme rain, thunder and lightning, Stormy conditions) we will ring you as soon as we possibly can. We will offer you a reduced tour (if possible), a full refund, a rearranged date, or value of goods in the store.