ABOUT FOSSIL RECOVERY
ABOUT FOSSIL RECOVERY AND OUR GUIDES
Primarily located in beautiful DeSoto county, Florida, less than an hour from many Gulf Beaches, FRE has been an integral part of the fossil hunting tour circuit since 2015. We are Florida's FIRST and LONGEST RUNNING airboat digging outfit, and that's not all...we have swamp buggies, canoes, and more to get you to the good stuff in style! In 2024, we expanded into the dry dig world as well...making us the ONLY guide service to offer BOTH formats for finding the BEST fossils in Florida!
Focused on all skill levels and ages alike, we are a family friendly adventure that isn't just a seasonal ginmick or tourist trap- we are hands on, educational, and FUN...with staff that has YEARS OF DAILY EXPERIENCE Florida fossil hunting...we don't talk about it...we LIVE and LOVE IT!
Based on the Peace River as well as other secluded creeks and tributaries in the region, we revel in the gift of being able to give visitors, as well as locals, many unique ways to experience the "Olde Florida" that is all but vanishing in the present day. With centuries old Spanish moss draped live oaks, amber colored waters and a plethora of local wildlife as the backdrop, we use modern methods of transportation to bring you and your group to the "honey holes" in style, and then we get to the best part- finding the fossils!
We provide all equipment so worry not! Just bring your sense of adventure and curiousity, and enjoy the hunt!
We are delighted to have expanded into Hardee County as well, right in the heart of the legendary Bone Valley region!
We also run all year now! Keep in mind, the optimal season is usually December to May depending on the seasonal rains and subsequent water levels. That being said- we have adapted the business to have options for you all year long-be it on land or in the water. Check in with us for what's currently being offered-and where! And remember- you keep all fossils you find-and our licensed guides will help dig, identify and explain each one.
Insured, licensed and trusted since 2015-the reviews speak for themselves. We look forward to seeing y'all out on a tour very soon!
YOUR FRE STAFF/ TOUR GUIDES
CHRIS MANDELL
Chris, the owner of FRE, is beyond excited to take this to new levels!
Growing up in a small suburb on the south shore of Lake Ontario near Rochester, NY, Chris Mandell grew up in the creeks and fields fishing, hunting arrowheads and finding local Devonian fossils, such as brachiopods and trilobites. After meeting his wife Erin in 2009, while raising their four boys, they often traveled to Caspersen Beach in Venice in search of fossil shark teeth, completely unaware of the potential to find so much more with just a short drive inland.
After joining an FRE tour in 2020, a fire was lit and Chris and Erin dove in full speed, networking with local fossil hunters, clubs and eventually partnering into FRE in early 2022. Chris finally became the full owner in April of 2023 and is thrilled to carry the business into new realms.
With his background as a USCG charter captain since 2006, tour guiding was nothing new and FRE became his passion and new course...and he is beyond excited to grow it alongside his family!
SEAN CARROLL
Our lead guide, Sean is a true man of many talents!
Besides guiding with us, Sean also does much of the construction of our screens and various other things. He is a trained chef who originated his career in the restaurant and liquor industry for 20+ years after collecting a double major in college with art history and graphic design.
Sean came to FL to be with family recently, and dove into the passion he always had for sharks and geology by joining the FRE team in 2023. He spent much of his spare time NJ fossiling at Big Brook Preserve, but appreciated the wild diversity of FL enough to uproot and make FL home for good.
Sean delights in sharing his passion with our customers while enjoying the mecca of fossils we know and love collectively.
JESSE GRIMES
Another awesome addition to our staff, we welcome Jesse to the FRE family here in 2026! Jesse's outgoing personality and wide breadth of knowledge of all things sharks started as a young boy and blossomed into a bright future.
A licensed captain, Jesse enjoys diving for shark teeth, running land-based fishing trips for sharks, and digging the rivers and creeks for sharks teeth, of course! A nearly lifelong Florida local with a great network in the fossil world, Jesse's fun-loving attitude and hard work ethic shine on our tours!
JEFF CHIVERS
Ultimately positive, homegrown and hard working, Jeff delights in fossil hunting as his number one passion and boasts an incredible collection from his diligence hunting central Florida. Jeff joined FRE in 2026, and is stoked to provide his services to our staff!
ROWAN MANDELL
Our youngest guide, our son, and the future of Fossil Recovery, Rowan is only 10 years old but has been taking part in assisting digs since 2024. Our resident 'google,' he often helps with identification during and after digs, as well as can be a huge assist in our dry dig while he fills buckets for customers. Be sure to listen close when he presents our history lesson in the morning too!