Scalloping is a great pastime in Florida and also a great way to incorporate an ocean-to-table lifestyle. It’s essentially an underwater scavenger hunt! These are my picks for the best places for scalloping in Florida. Grab your snorkel gear, pack the cooler, sunscreen, towels and pick one of these 5 places for a great underwater adventure!
What you need to know about the best places for scalloping
1. Steinhatchee
Steinhatchee is regarded as the scalloping capital of Florida. It’s a sportsman’s (or should I say sportswoman’s) paradise. Similar to the rest of the towns on this list, Steinhatchee is located at the start of the Florida Panhandle on the Gulf Coast. It’s a quiet fishing village when it is not scalloping season.
Scalloping in Steinhatchee
A quick boat ride west on the Steinhatchee River will lead you into Dead Man Bay, which is the mouth of the Gulf of Mexico. That will then take you out to channel marker 9. There you’ll be faced with the hardest decision of the day, do you go north instead of south? Or vice versa? The goal is to find clean water with a depth of 3 to 7 feet.
When you arrive, put up your dive flag, put on your gear, and jump in! It’s time to find some scallops!
Lodging in Steinhatchee
The town comes to life during the months of June until Labor Day in September. Most people get rental houses along the river. Booking is usually recommended upwards of a year in advance! Floridians are serious about their scalloping!
*Related post* Scalloping: Florida’s ultimate underwater scavenger hunt
2. Crystal River
Crystal River ranks #2 on my top spots to go scalloping on the west coast of Florida. Furthermore, it’s one of the easiest locations for most Floridians because of its central location. Crystal River is the largest of the cities on this list with just over 3,000 people who call it home. Don’t let that fool you, this is still a small Gulf Coast town.
Scalloping Crystal River
Crystal River is probably the shortest boat ride to the scalloping grounds. Crystal River is easy to navigate and you are in Gulf waters in no time. As you follow the channel out of the river, you will go southwest to find clean water. The sweet spot again is the 3 to 7 depth area and in the grass flats. These scalloping grounds are actually halfway between Crystal River and the next hot spot on my list, Homosassa Springs. Homosassa Springs is just a few miles south of Crystal River.
Lodging in Crystal River
Crystal River is one of the easier locations to find lodging accommodations furthermore there are vacations rentals on the river. I recommended staying on the river but there are also multiple hotels/motels in the area.
3. Homosassa Springs
It’s not the capital of scalloping and it’s not the most popular however this one is my personal favorite. I love the winding, snake-like river that shows off the beauty of “Old Florida”. The Homosassa River leads you out to the Gulf.
Scalloping Homosassa Springs
The Homosassa River should not be underestimated because it’s ruined many a boat and boat day. It’s imperative you stay within the channel while navigating the river. Right outside the channel in either direction are large oyster bars lurking below the surface. Hit one of these and you’ll be taking your boat in for a new prop or lower unit. Keep the boat between the red and green markers at all times!
As you go west on the Homosassa River, it is a decent ride out to the Gulf but one filled with beautiful landscapes and really cool-looking fish camps along the river that people have owned for generations. Once you’re out in the Gulf, you’ll have to decide if you want to go north or south. Both directions have great grass flats for scalloping. If you go north, you will start to see boats about 5 miles ahead that came out of Crystal River. Most people scallop between the two river systems but occasionally we go south from Homosassa and have done exceptionally well.
On the way back, go past the boat ramp and take a look at the famous Monkey Island. A few monkeys live on this little island year-round! You can also go about 3 miles upriver to Homosassa Spring where there is a party happening about every weekend.
*Pro-tip- this is a great place to wash down all your equipment and boat in the clear, fresh, spring water.
Lodging in Homosassa Springs
Lodging here can be difficult because it books early. This is a popular day trip for those who live in the Central Florida area. That’s because it is the southernmost scalloping location on this list. If you decide to make a day trip out of Homosassa, know that the public ramp can be a nightmare with long lines and very limited parking. It’s a good idea to get to the boat ramp at sunrise to beat the crowds.
4. Horseshoe Beach
Horseshoes Beach may be the smallest of the towns on this list. Seriously, the town only has around 200 people who live there. It is just North of the mouth of the Suwannee River and within Dixie County. You’ll want to stop on the way because provisions there are limited. The town continues to grow year after year and it is a gem of “Old Florida”.
Scalloping Horseshoe Beach
With direct access to the Gulf, Horseshoe Beach offers two boat ramps and one full-service marina. Follow the short run out the channel and you will find that most people head Northwest a few miles to the grass flats off Pepperfish Key and Little Grassy Island. That’s where you will find clean water and be able to start your scalloping adventure. If you do not find them at first, make sure to work different depths between 3 to 7 feet.
Lodging in Horseshoe Beach
Since the town is so small, many people who come to Horseshoe Beach either have vacation homes there or know someone with one. That being said, there are a handful of rentals on the market but they get booked up fast so you’ll want to book in advance as soon as you can.
5. Saint Marks
Saint Marks is directly south of Tallahassee and is actually known for Stone Crab; however, it’s a great place to scallop, too. Saint Marks is directly south of Tallahassee. It is not as remote as Suwannee but still a very small town.
Scalloping St. Marks
Take a short boat ride down the river and out into the Gulf and from there you can either go east or west to find the scalloping grounds. We have always gone east to find clean water and grassy flats. Scallops love to hang out in the grassy flats. The scallop beds are about 6 miles east of St. Mark’s Lighthouse.
Lodging in St. Marks
Saint Marks does not offer many options for lodging nevertheless there are some hidden gems that can be found on vacation rental sites. The town offers a handful of great restaurants that bring in people who drive from Tallahassee and the sounding areas to dine.
Conclusion:
If you’ve never been scalloping, I highly recommend making a trip during scalloping season. It really is like an underwater scavenger hunt and so much fun! It’s also a great way to incorporate an ocean-to-table lifestyle.
additional advice
- Check the radar before getting on the water. Similarly, open water is not somewhere you want to be during a storm.
- Don’t leave home without your dive flag! A dive flag is required even when you’re just wading in the water.
- Make sure to stay within the channel markers going to and from the scallop beds. Follow other boats in and out.
- Check the season dates through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Different locations have varying dates for when you can harvest scallops.
- Don’t forget your sunscreen! It’s all fun and games until you end the day with horrible sunscreen.
Go for chemical-free sunscreen. Chemical sunscreens are harmful to marine life, coral reefs, and your skin!
Related post: Why it’s important to stop using chemical sunscreens
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