A midsummer treat: bay scallops, fresh from Florida. Or if you’re embarrassed to ask, just head out of your favorite port on any day but opening day, and scan the horizon to find the “fleet.” Another option is to hire a local guide. Florida has been one of the most popular scuba diving destinations for the US and foreign divers due to the great variety in marine life and types of dive sites. Guides can be found on the websites of local marinas, and using guides’ services allows you the advantage of scalloping with someone who likely has been on the water many times before you arrive. As with all seafood, get them on ice immediately. Dive Info For the Florida Panhandle. The best way to get the scallops is to dive and bring a small net, he said. Crystal River, FL 34428, can you scuba dive for scallops in florida, Best Time To Swim With Manatees in Florida. When you find the scalloping spots in Crystal River, the simplest technique is to slowly swim or float face down, over the area (e.g. If you like it, you can sign up for further classes/training. Open the shell completely and cut the muscle out. A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world. Sea scallops are up to three times larger in size than bay scallops. The scallop season in Crystal River only lasts from July through to September and the area is renowned for its scallops and manatees. Make sure you close the dive bag - scallops can swim out of your bag into safety. But in the heart of the Sunshine State lie a few dive sites that aren't as well known. You’ll never again be happy with “restaurant scallops.” FS. A 17-mile barrier peninsula in St. Joseph’s Bay, this small town has laid-back vibes, white sandy beaches, and turquoise waters. We are open daily, year-round. Dive deep in the warm ocean waters of Florida! Note: Since the 1980s, it has been illegal to take scallops from Federal waters ( beyond 3 miles ) without a Federal scallop permit. I don't want to discourage you, but in the end it is much easier to buy them at the local fish monger or local commercial guy. Read on to discover the best springs to dive in Florida. Scuba diving in the USA is slightly different from other countries, you usually need to bring your own tanks, and this is the case in Florida. Scallops don’t necessarily appear at the same spot, year after year. Recreational scallopers may not possess more than 10 gallons of whole bay scallops in the shell or a half gallon of meat aboard any boat. Bay Scallop Harvest Zone: There is so much to see on the bottom of the ocean, and we know the right people to get you there. It takes time to sort and throw over the weed, but you will get some nice bay scallops. For some children, this may be an appropriate age to start diving, for others it may not. Home Community > Regional Forums and Dive Clubs > United States > Florida > Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Florida’s oceans contain pelagic such as sea turtles, sharks, whales, and sailfish with its elongated bill and distinctive sail that often stretches the entire length of its back. Each scalloper must possess a valid Florida Saltwater Fishing License (or have an exemption) and is limited to two gallons of scallops, in the shells, per day. Strict rules apply, especially to daily bag limits. They can pinch! It makes a mess of your boat, it is usually cold and raw. Bayport, Homosassa, Crystal River, Cedar Key, Horseshoe Beach, Steinhatchee, Keaton Beach, Spring Warrior, St. Marks and Port St. Joe have been traditional scalloping hotspots. While there are a few spots where scallops can be picked up after wading from shore, for the most part everyone reaches the scallop grounds by boat. When preparing for your hunt, find a Crystal River scalloping map so you don’t waste time exploring the wrong places for scallops. CALL: 352-795-7033 However, local marinas, motels and tackle shops are pretty good about sending out spies in advance of the season and sharing information with visiting scallopers. I don't mind IQF scallops, but that's all I can get in the stores in Key West anyway. A mesh dive bag with a secure closure attached to your waist is the perfect solution for this. Florida scallops (argopecten irradians) live in seagrass beds in shallow water, usually 4 to 10 feet deep, all along Florida’s central and northern west coast. Mask, snorkel, fins, gloves, and a small catching net. You will be asked to wear specific equipment such as - Gloves - Hood - Black full wetsuit - Black fins Water temps peak in the mid-80Fs in summer, but can drop to the high 50Fs in winter. A mesh bag comes in handy when snorkeling, as I don’t recommend putting scallops in your bathing suit pockets. No vessel can have more that 10 gallons of whole scallops or 1/2 gallon of scallop meat at any time. Most scuba diving certification organizations offer scuba diving courses for children as young as 8 years of age. When a friend planned a trip to go diving for scallops in Boston Harbor my immediate answer was a YES. The Florida Bay Scallop is a bivalve mollusk that has an external two-part hinged shell. The area has a wide choice of hotels, inns, and holiday rentals that offer great hospitality and service. A diver down flag to warn nearby boats that people are in the water. It may take some practice to keep it intact while removing it. It is legal to land up to two gallons of whole bay scallops in the shell, or one pint of scallop meat each day during the open season. No discussion of our bay scalloping season can take place without mentioning safety. Look for the whole shell or iridescent blue eyes peeking out from below. If any storms approach, it’s time to call it a day on scalloping. Make sure you check out our GTS discount card before you book any diving in Florida or worldwide! There are many scallop recipes that can be found with a quick search. Staying all day on the beach can be fun, but the real Florida adventure is out on the crystal blue waters. We’ve listed our 8 favorite Florida scuba and snorkel tours below. Or vice-versa. On the FWC website talking about the required permits it says you need a saltwater fishing license to collect scallops while swimming, snorkeling or using an “underwater breathing apparatus.” I take this to mean collecting them while diving is indeed legal. While they don’t actually bite, they could clamp onto your finger. Catching scallops is an easy, fun activity for the whole family and a cheap option for supper. Scuba diving is the best way to get you into the water and on your way in a new form of exploration! Having a lookout in addition to the boat operator is a good idea, and please, don’t drink and boat. This tasty species cannot be commercially harvested or sold, so what you catch is what you can eat. Ensure you’re within the season dates and be mindful of the weather changes at all times. Recreational harvesters need a Florida saltwater fishing license to harvest bay scallops unless they are 1. exempt from needing a license or 2. have a no-cost shoreline fishing license and are wading from shore to collect scallops (i.e. Or the possible addiction to the unbelievable taste of bay scallops. ADVERTISEMENT. You can only run 2 or 3 drags from a small boat. And once a few scallops are found in a particular area, hundreds of boats may gather in a small area. Pensacola is home to many dive sites where anyone can scuba down and adventure toward the variety of shipwrecks, submerged oil rigs, or artificial reefs that are only a few miles offshore from our stunning beaches. Welcome to Fun 2 Dive Manatee Tours, where we specialize in five-star small, semi-private, private, and luxury VIP manatee snorkeling tours. With over 600 sites to explore, it’s a diver’s paradise. These regulations are set out by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) where scalloping is restricted to certain zones, dates, and catch limits. Hire a boat or join a tour to reach the scallop area. 2380 US-19 An individual limit of scallops usually results in about a pint of meat; a boat limit produces about a half-gallon. To see an overview of the status of each dive center in that country, click the red button offering that option in the country information box. Florida boast some of the nation’s greatest scuba diving sites. The state of Florida also offers unique adventures such as wreck dives, spearfishing, lobstering, treasure hunting, and snorkeling, and even exploring caves and caverns in freshwater springs and lakes. For the latest status for a particular dive shop, click on the pin for that dive center on the map or select the dive shop from the input box above the map. Crystal River offers a fun-filled list of family activities that include the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge for manatees, various aquatic and outdoor pursuits, shopping, and cultural interests. This also helps open the shells slightly. ... ScubaBoard has been the place to go for internet based discussions related to all things Scuba. Kids can explore the marine environment while Mom and Dad gather scallops for dinner. Specific rules and guidelines are in place when scuba diving for scallops. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. We are OPEN for When You are Ready to Visit. Scallops move around day to day and seasons may also affect their abundance, depending on different environmental factors. With visibility up to 200 feet, it’s easy to observe the flora and fauna of the river system, from gar and turtles to otters and anhingas catching their dinner. Scallops Scuba Diving in Florida Posted on January 21, 2020 Updated on December 24, 2020 Situated in western Florida, Crystal River scalloping is one of the most popular summertime activities. We conduct tours to swim with manatees in the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge. One of the few spots you can scoop up scallops with just a net, these shallow waters are great for children. Ports with darker or less salty water (Yankeetown, Suwannee, Apalachicola—all on large riverine estuaries) are less likely to have any large concentration of scallops. Here are some recipes for your fresh scallops! You can book online at rainbowreef.com Info by GTS member Alisia Carlson. If the manatees haven’t satisfied you, then during the summer months lemon sharks can be found in the shallower waters around the reefs. You can find more information about them at horizondivers.com Rainbow Reef is the biggest dive shop in town and offers great gear and trip discount packages. You may catch bay scallops only by hand or with a landing or dip net. In fact, whether or not children should be allowed to scuba dive is a matter of debate in the scuba diving community. Recreational harvesters need a Florida saltwater fishing license to harvest bay scallops unless they are 1. exempt from needing a license or 2. have a no-cost shoreline fishing license and are wading to collect scallops (i.e. The only danger is that there’s always a snorkeler who forgets to apply sunscreen, returning home with their back lobster-red. Each boat is limited to a maximum of ten gallons of scallops, in the shells, even if there are more than five scallopers aboard. This would qualify you to dive elsewhere, to a depth of 12 Mtrs/40 feet, with a professional present. When you spot a scallop, dive down and scoop it up into your mesh bag. Coronavirus is affecting everyone worldwide, including scuba divers, from individual travelers to dive shop and liveaboard operators. The bag limit is 2 gallons of whole scallops in the shell per day or 1 pint of scallop meat per person per day. Finding them can be difficult. Bay scallops are usually found atop shallow grassflats in clear, salty water, making them easy prey for folks of all ages and abilities. Alternatively you can complete a 2 day 'Scuba Diver' course which entails some theory lessons in a classroom (with videos) as well as pool and 'open water' sessions on the reef. The bag limit is 2 gallons of whole scallops per person per day; or 1 pint of scallop meat per person per day. Most scallopers go by boat into water 4 to 10 feet deep where they anchor, put up their dive flag, and snorkel over the beds, collecting the scallops by hand. Don’t dive bare foot, urchins and wild life can sting; Mesh bag to carry your scallops as you dive; Saltwater license (age 16-65) Dive flag for boat (20×24) to be displayed on PVC Pole (needs to be seen) Radio (optional), handheld recommended; Flares, flare gun, whistle; Gallon bucket to measure; Rig a clear bottom bucket to scout for scallops Beginner Dive Mistakes: How to Avoid Them? EMAIL: info@crystalriverwatersports.com, Location: feet do not leave bottom to swim, snorkel, or SCUBA). It is also important to note that a dive flag is required for any vessel with swimmers in the water. If you’re diving from shore, then you’ll need a dive float and flag to accomplish the same thing. These freshwater sites aren't the world-class cave diving reserved for specialists, but spring-fed caverns and rivers that offer a splendid change of pace for the well … Here, it’s mandatory to run at idle speed within 300 feet of boats flying “diver down” flags or divers towing buoys with flags. Water Conditions April through October is perhaps the best time to dive Florida's Panhandle, when visibility hovers around 50 feet, but sometimes 100 feet is possible. This is without a doubt the busiest time on Big Bend waters and you can expect crowded boat ramps, marinas and waterways. With a long, sprawling coastline, it’s natural to associate scuba diving in Florida to strictly ocean diving only, but that’s just not the case! Situated in western Florida, Crystal River scalloping is one of the most popular summertime activities. Alexander Springs, The Benwood Wreck, 40 Fathoms Grotto, Barracuda Reef, and Devil’s Den Springs are just a handful of the wide variety of dive sites Florida has to offer. When you have your licensed limit of scallops, get them onto ice as soon as possible to preserve the tender meat. Once all the meat is extracted, get them onto the heat and fry them up. The Florida Bay Scallop is a bivalve mollusk that has an … It appears to be legal. First off, I had never been diving in Boston. First published Florida Sportsman June 2015, © 2021 Outdoor Sportsman Group. Get the Top Stories from Florida Sportsman Delivered to Your Inbox Every Week. Collecting and Handling Scallops A scallop opens after it has been placed on ice. Scallops often live in thick, tall grass. Scallops are generally safe to eat, have a nutritious profile that includes trace minerals and protein, and they are low in calories. The bay scallop harvest is regulated by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). The vibrant reefs of the Florida Keys and excellent drift diving off the South Florida coast are well known in the dive world. Each scalloper must possess a valid Florida Saltwater Fishing License (or have an exemption) and is limited to two gallons of scallops, … Go here to apply for a license. But are they good! You can use a scallop cleaning service to prepare them properly or you can do it yourself with a scallop or oyster knife. In addition, no more than 10 gallons of whole scallops (or ½ gallon of scallop meat) may be possessed aboard any vessel at any time. sea grass beds) where the scallops are nestled. Strict rules apply, especially to daily bag limits. The daily catch limit per person is 2 gallons (over 7.5 liters) of whole shelled scallops or 1 pint (almost half a liter) of scallop meat. As you start to catch scallops, you’ll need somewhere to stash them other than your swimsuit! They have thirty little blue eyes that glow. A drift dive with the current along the clear, spring-fed Rainbow River in Dunnellon is among the best freshwater scuba diving experiences in Florida. Florida saltwater fishing license for people aged 16 to 65 years. A day of scalloping is about as much fun as you can have on the water. These rules have helped ease initial concerns on over-fishing and the many species of scallops are monitored to detect declining numbers. You can even eat them raw, if you are prone to such things. The scallops live in seagrass beds and shallow water and predominantly found in specific locations on Florida’s west coast and areas near Crystal River. If freshwater diving Florida is on your mind, you’d be going to the right place! We've been in contact with members of the dive community from around the world to bring you the latest coronavirus updates and considerations to keep in mind for any future or planned dive travel. All Rights Reserved, Entering your valid email address signifies you wish to receive our newsletter and have read the, Florida Sportsman Launches Action Spotter Podcast. If you don't have your own tanks you can hire them at Scuba Works in Jupiter. There, snorkeling and scooping them up by hand is the preferred technique for a successful bag limit. Situated in western Florida, the Crystal River region is enveloped in natural unspoiled beauty with over 30 springs feeding into the river and creating one of the best scalloping spots in the world. Florida scallops are smaller than sea scallops. Everything you need to know about smart scalloping. Follow the tips below so you can be fully prepared for your first scallop catch. 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Back lobster-red Florida or worldwide have a nutritious profile can you scuba dive for scallops in florida includes trace minerals and protein, and they low. But can drop to the right people to get you there is on your,... Prepared for your first scallop catch a midsummer treat: bay scallops, but can to! Ocean waters of Florida Delivered to your waist is the perfect solution for..