Enjoy a day on the water with friends while you snorkel for scallops
We offer boat rentals and the equipment you need to snorkel the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico while searching for scallops and spending quality boat time with friends and family.
How to Find Scallops
Finding scallops underwater is easy if you know what to look for and where. They will be found in seagrass about 6 inches tall usually in 3-6 feet of water, an easy depth for snorkeling. Look for either the familiar shell shape or the purple eyes as seen here. An easy boat ride from our marina, you’ll drive to Homosassa Channel Marker 8 and head north about 10 minutes, always in sight of land. You really don’t need to go any further north than the St Martins Keys.
How to Catch Scallops
Once you’ve found a scallop, catching them is as easy as picking up a shell. They don’t have teeth so can’t hurt you. They may try to swim away from you by opening and closing their 2 shell sections creating a thrust of water that propels them about a foot each time. They always go in the direction of the closed portion of the shell so it’s easy to predict where they’ll go next.
What to do after the Catch
Bring a bag into the water with you and keep a 5 gallon bucket in the boat. You’ll often find several scallops in close proximity and on a single dive might pick up 5-10. Place them in the bag while you snorkel on the surface looking for more. When your bag is full transfer it to the bucket on the boat. Personal limits are 2 gallons with a maximum of 10 gallos per boat (assuming you have 5 or more people on board with fishing licenses).
Scalloping Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need to go scalloping?
You need a way to get to the Gulf. We offer boat rentals so you can drive yourself there. You’ll be swimming in salt water so a mask and snorkel are key. Fins are optional. Most people bring a mesh bag to store scallops while swimming, others use a pocket or return to the boat when their hands are full. A 5 gallon bucket in the boat helps you track your limit. You’ll be swimming on the dirface of the water with your back exposed to the sun most of the day so either a good water proof sunscreen or a dive shirt with UV protection are highly recommended. Bring a towel for when you get out of the water and with any trip on a boat sunglasses and a hat are a great idea along with fresh water.
What is a limit of scallops?
Since 2012 the limit has been 2 gallons of scallops (with shells) per person or a 10 gallon per boat limit. Regulations are posted by FWC each year by region. If limits change we will post them here.
Do I need to be a good swimmer?
You will be swimming in the Gulf of Mexico which sometimes has a heavy current depending on the tide. You should have swimmming skills and be comfortable wearing a mask and snorkel. A set of fins will help you to overcome the current. Folks generally stay in 3-6 feet of water and in order to pick up a scallop from the seabed you need to be able to hold your breath long enough to swim down 6 feet.
Does everyone find scallops?
No, due to a variety of reasons. Two people may be swimming next to each other with one seeing a scallop while the other doesn’t. Some years the scallop harvest is lower than others because the scallops are spread out while other years there are ample scallops almost sitting on top of each other. Scalop density, your eyesight, your ability to identify a scallop from the surface of the water and your ability to swim down and pick them up will all determine your individual success.
Can I eat scallops?
Of course you can, once they’ve been cleaned. As with anything, there’s a trick to cleaning a scallop. What you’re after is the small white muscle inside the 2 shells. Most folks use a spoon or dull knife with rounded tip to pry open the 2 halves of the shell. With experience you can open the shell and scrape out the black colored guts with one motion leaving behind the white muscle attached to the shell. Clean the white part in fresh water and save enough of them for your next dish. They can be frozen for storage.
Do I need a license?
Yes, everyone diving for scallops and contributing to the boat limit must have a valid Florida salt water fishing license (except those under 16 or over 65 years of age).
How long does it take to get there?
From our marina it’s about a 90 minute drive to the scallop grounds in one of our rental boats. Faster boats may beat you by 10-15 minutes. Following the channel markers drive out the Homosassa River keeping the green markers on the right side of the boat and the red on the left. Once you get into the Gulf (7 miles from our marina) stay in the channel until you reach Marker 8. The last few years scallops have been more dense to the north so turn right at Marker 8 (to head north) and drive about 10 minutes. The further away you drive from the channel the longer your trip will last. Some folks are surprised by this but it will take you the same amount of time to get back at the end of the day as it took you to get there in the morning so plan your departure time accordingly.
Can I bring my dog, kids or the elderly?
Scallop season is in the heat of the Florida summer. Boating on the ocean in the sun is fatiguing. You’ll be within sight of land but at least 45 minutes from any facilities or emergency services. Keeping folks and pets hydrated in these conditions is key. Everyone has a different physical reaction to these environmental conditions so there’s no Yes or No answer applicable to everyone. Armed with this knowledge, you should make a realistic assessment of your crew’s limitations and make a mature decision as to who should or should not be onboard and for how long. If you have concerns, perhaps the best course of action is to take a liesurely boat ride to the Gulf and stop at either Shelly’s Seafood or Publix to buy some scallops and get the best of both worlds.