Short answer: Bay scallop season in the Crystal River zone runs July 1 through September 24 every year. In 2026 that is July 1 through September 24, 2026. The zone covers Levy, Citrus and Hernando county waters, including Crystal River, Homosassa and Cedar Key.
FWC sets the dates by rule, so they are steadier than fishing seasons, but FWC can close a zone mid-season by executive order for low scallop counts or water quality. Check FWC’s bay scallop page for the current status before your trip; we check it before every one of ours.
Scallop limits
Each person may keep 2 gallons of whole scallops in the shell, or 1 pint of scallop meat, per day. Each boat is capped at 10 gallons whole or half a gallon of meat, and the boat limit never lets one person go over their own. There is no minimum size, and harvest is by hand or dip net only.
Do you need a license to go scalloping?
Not on our trips. Scalloping normally requires a Florida saltwater fishing license, but our FWC charter license covers every guest on board for saltwater fish and shellfish, scallops included. If you go on your own boat later, you will need your own license.
Diver-down flag basics
Anyone in the water has to stay close to a properly displayed diver-down flag: within 300 feet in open water, and within 100 feet on a river, inlet or channel. Other boats must slow to idle inside those same distances. We fly the flag and keep the boat close, so all you have to do is stay near it.
How a scalloping trip works
Scalloping is snorkeling in clear, shallow water over grass flats, picking up scallops by hand and dropping them in a bag. You do not need to know how to fish, and kids and beginners do as well as anyone. We provide snorkel, mask and fins, a cooler with ice and water on board, and we clean and shuck your catch at the end.
Bring a towel, sunscreen and a snack. A 4-hour trip is plenty for most families; the full day gives you more time in the water, and the fishing combo suits groups who want to fish as well.
In our experience the tide matters more than the week on the calendar. In the 2026 season the scallops have held deeper than usual, so we have planned our days around low tide and moved around to find the cleanest water after the evening showers. Booking with someone who is out there every day makes the difference on a day like that.
One request from FWC that we pass on: do not throw scallop shells back into the river or the inshore waters people swim in.
Our scalloping trips
Every trip is private, up to 6 people, and runs from our launch in Crystal River. Pick the boat that fits your group.
- Scalloping on the 27′ catamaran: 4-hour morning (8:00 AM) or afternoon (1:00 PM) trips from $550 for up to 2 people, a 7-hour full day at 7:00 AM from $895, or an 8-hour fishing and scalloping combo at 8:00 AM from $995 for up to 4. Extra people are $50 each. The cat’s big dive ladder makes getting in and out easy.
- Luxury scalloping on the 35′ center console: the same four options with a full private bathroom on board. Morning or afternoon from $750 and full day from $1,095, each for up to 2; fishing and scalloping combo from $1,195 for up to 4; $50 per extra person.
Book the catamaran trips online from the scalloping page, or call 352-770-2520 between 5 AM and 9 PM. The 35′ trips are booked by phone.
Booking policies (deposits, rescheduling, weather calls) are on our FAQ page.
The rules in this guide were checked against FWC on September 19, 2026. If FWC changes the dates or limits for a coming season, this page will be updated.
