Scalloping in Crystal River, Florida
Scalloping in Florida is essentially an "underwater scavenger hunt" for dinner! It’s a Floridian tradition that many enjoy year after year. Florida scalloping is a family-friendly way to spend the day on the water catching juicy edible mollusks that appear on many seafood menus worldwide! There are a variety of different types of scallops to be had from different regions. Florida scallops are bay scallops vs. sea scallops. Mostly, they are the smaller scallops. Florida scallops may be small, but they are worth the effort to catch.
Scalloping season is July 1st through September 24. Crystal River is one of the most popular destinations in Florida for recreational scalloping.
The Florida bay scallop is a bivalve mollusk, similar to oysters, mussels, and clams. There are two types of scallops: bay scallops and sea scallops. The ones found on the seagrass beds of the Gulf of Mexico are bay scallops. Florida scallops are smaller than sea scallops. Sea scallops are up to three times larger in size than bay scallops. Florida scallops (argopecten irradians) live in seagrass beds in shallow water, usually 4 to 10 feet deep, along Florida’s central and northern west coast. They have thirty little blue eyes that glow. When you dive down to catch a scallop, they often close as the eyes sense shadows.
All ages and experience levels are welcome but you have to be able to swim! It is a great opportunity to spend a fun day in Crystal River, Florida hunting for bay scallops with friends and family in crystal clear water. Scalloping is typically done in 4 - 8 feet of water with mask, snorkel and fins.