Gather Your Own Gulf Coast Scallops

When scallop season opens along the Gulf Coast, Port St. Joe becomes one of the most productive areas to harvest your own bay scallops in clear, shallow water. You wade or snorkel in grass flats where scallops rest in plain view, watching for the bright blue eyes that give them away along the sandy bottom. Reel Florida Adventures Simmons Bayou takes you directly to locations where scallops are plentiful and the water remains calm enough for families to participate safely.

The trip includes instruction on how to identify legal scallops, how to collect them without disturbing the habitat, and what the current bag limits are for your group. Your captain provides guidance on snorkeling basics if you are new to the activity, and explains how to handle scallops once you bring them aboard. You leave Port St. Joe in the morning, spend several hours on the water, and return with a cooler of scallops ready to clean and prepare.

If you are planning a family trip to Port St. Joe this summer and want to book a scalloping adventure, contact Reel Florida Adventures Simmons Bayou to confirm season dates and availability.

What Happens During a Scalloping Trip

Your trip begins at the dock in Port St. Joe, where the captain reviews safety procedures, hands out snorkel gear if needed, and explains what to look for once you are in the water. You travel by boat to shallow grass beds where scallops are actively feeding, and the captain anchors in a spot that offers good visibility. Most of your time is spent snorkeling in waist-deep to shoulder-deep water, scanning the bottom and placing scallops into a mesh bag as you find them. 

After the trip, you will notice how quickly a few hours of scalloping can fill a cooler, and how much easier it becomes to spot scallops once you know their shape and movement. The meat inside is sweet and firm, and cleaning them on your own becomes part of the experience. The captain shows you the proper way to shuck and rinse each scallop so nothing is wasted. 

Trips are scheduled based on tide, weather, and seasonal regulations set by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Reel Florida Adventures Simmons Bayou does not provide scalloping services outside the designated open season, and all participants must follow state harvest limits. The experience works well for children who are comfortable in the water and adults who want a hands-on alternative to traditional fishing.

If you have never been scalloping before, it helps to know what the trip involves and what you should bring with you to make the most of your time on the water. 

The open scallop season in Florida typically runs from August through September, but exact dates are set annually by state regulators. You should confirm the current season window with Reel Florida Adventures Simmons Bayou before booking your trip.

You snorkle around and look for their bright blue eyes just above the sand or nestled in the seagrass, and you pick them up by hand once you spot them. Your captain will show you what to look for during your first few minutes in the water so you can start collecting on your own.

You should bring a cooler with ice, sunscreen, a hat, and water shoes or sandals that can get wet. Reel Florida Adventures Simmons Bayou provides snorkel gear and mesh bags, but you are welcome to bring your own if you prefer.

Florida law sets a daily bag limit per person, and your captain will explain the current limit before you begin. Limits are enforced to protect the population and ensure sustainable harvesting each season.

Scalloping trips with Reel Florida Adventures Simmons Bayou give you the chance to gather your own seafood in one of Florida's most productive coastal areas, and your captain makes sure you understand the rules and techniques before you start. If you want to schedule a trip during scallop season in Port St. Joe, reach out to confirm dates and group size.