Scalloping is an experience that combines immersing yourself in nature with the fun of hunting for the freshest scallops around. The Forgotten Coast is the perfect spot to enjoy scalloping, with plenty of seagrass beds to find live scallops.
Scalloping is a fun treasure hunt and is best done in four to eight feet of water. You can swim out to the seagrass beds close to the shorelines or take a boat to explore. Scalloping has been described as an underwater easter egg hunt, fun for all ages.
When is Scallop Season on the Forgotten Coast?
Scallop season starts July 1st and continues through September 24th in Franklin County through northwestern Taylor County. In St. Joseph Bay and Gulf County, scallop season starts August 16th and continues to September 24th.
What to expect during Scallop season
Bay scallops are found in shallow, nearshore waters along the Gulf Coast. To identify bay scallops look for dark shells and tiny blue eyes lining the outer rim of the shell. You can wade into the shallows and scoop up scallops by hand, or snorkel and swim for them. Scalloping may be easier on a boat, as you can maneuver from seagrass bed to seagrass bed.
The Best Spots to Catch Scallops in Port St. Joe and Surrounding
Port St Joe is home to Florida’s annual Scallop. Music & Arts Festival, held Labor Day Weekend at George Core Park. Around St. Joseph Bay, Cape San Blas is a seventeen-mile barrier peninsula, located about 10 minutes from downtown Port St. Joe. Cape San Blas is known for its clear waters and seagrass beds, ideal for scalloping. Apalachee Bay is a popular spot for scalloping in Franklin County. St. Joe Bay is another area known for its scalloping opportunities and is a nursery for marine life.
St. Joseph Peninsula State Park offers white sand beaches and is known for its clear blue-green water. Visitors love playing in the clear, shallow water and have fun discovering scallops, schools of colorful fish, sand dollars, and starfish. It is one of the few places you can wade and find scallops and scoop them up.
What you need to scallop
In Florida, a saltwater fishing license is required for scalloping. You can obtain a fishing license online, at fishing and dive shops, or scallop with a licensed guide. For more information on obtaining a saltwater fishing license in Florida visit Florida Fish and Wildlife Fish and Conservation Commission.
If you are considering booking a scalloping trip with a licensed guide you may want to consider Williamson Outfitters or SGI Saltwater Charters. The charters specialize in scalloping trips along the Forgotten Coast.
Tips for Scalloping
If you are scalloping from shore or in your boat you will want to make sure you have your snorkel gear including a mask, snorkel, fins, and a mesh bag for your catch. Be sure to use a dive flag to alert boaters that you are diving in the area and check the tide times.
Many scallopers fish early and you don't want to skip breakfast as scalloping can be an eventful adventure. Make sure to load the boat or take your supplies with you and don’t forget the sunscreen.
Conserve the Scallop Population
Florida law allows two gallons of whole bay scallops in a shell or one pint of bay scallop meat per person daily. The maximum per vessel is ten gallons of whole bay scallops in shell, or a half gallon scallop meat equal to four pints.
To help preserve the scallop population don't harvest scallops smaller than two inches, keep only what you will eat, don’t harvest more than is allowed, and don’t hurt the seagrass while you scallop.
Cook-Your-Catch Restaurants
Many restaurants along the Forgotten Coast offer fantastic cook-your-catch options. If you don’t want to hassle with cleaning and cooking your own scallops you can bring your catch to one of the participating restaurants where they will prepare and cook your catch for you.
Shipwreck Raw Bar offers Cook Your Catch options. If you are not having any luck on the water you can come to Indian Pass Raw Bar and get your fill of already caught scallops.
Fun Facts about Scallops
The lifespan of a scallop is one year, making scalloping a sustainable food source. Scallops are the only mollusks that can swim and jump, making hunting them even more of an adventure. Interestingly, there are more than 400 species of scallops in the world.
Book Your Scalloping Adventure
Scalloping can be a lot of fun and the Forgotten Coast is a fantastic spot for scallopers of all experience levels. Panhandle Getaways has a wide variety of vacation rentals along the Forgotten Coast, so book your stay to start your treasure hunt.