Scalloping Info

Scallop Trip Details

We want your scalloping trip to be fun and worry-free, so we handle the details, including:

  • Vessel and Equipment. For your day on the water, you’ll enjoy the comfort of our Slayer Skiff, an ideal vessel for scalloping in the shallow waters of the Gulf. We do provide the mesh bags needed to hold the scallops as you snorkel. A cooler with ice stands waiting on the boat as you bring in your catch.
  • Launch Location. We launch from an established location right on the Homosassa River.
  • Licenses. As part of your scalloping charter, we provide the required state salt water fishing licenses, so you are covered when on a Scalloping Florida charter.
  • Scheduling. Our available scallop trips are scheduled based on Captain Moe’s observation of low and high tides in the Crystal River and Homosassa waters. That way, you can snorkel in the best conditions possible.
  • Cleaning Your Catch. Since we are at a public launch location, paid cleaners are available for hire.

What You Should Bring on Your Scallop Trip

For a great day scalloping, consider bringing the following:

  • Your own cooler with beverages and snacks. We do provide a cooler for the scallops, but there’s plenty of room for you to bring a cooler with your favorite food and drink items.
  • Towels and sunscreen (particularly environmentally friendly sunscreen). The boat does have a Bimini top, but sunscreen is highly recommended.
  • Gear. We have masks, snorkels and fins available for use.

Scalloping FAQs

Couldn’t I just rent a boat to go scalloping instead of hiring a captain?
Boat rentals fees for boats that are allowed to travel to the Gulf are typically the same if not more than a private scallop charter. You also must purchase the required fishing licenses. Scalloping Florida provides fishing licenses with your trip. Also, keep in mind that Nature Coast waters can be shallow and difficult to navigate. Fouling a boat propeller or damaging the vessel in any way can lead to a ruined day and hundreds of dollars in additional expenses. Scalloping should be fun, not stressful.

How is Scalloping Florida different than other charters?
Scalloping Florida has a successful history of offering scallop trips back to when the season re-opened. A veteran of local waters from Crystal River to Homosassa, Captain Moe has a deep knowledge of the area. In addition:

  • We do not cut your scallop trip short to take a second trip out.
  • We do help you learn to scallop if you’ve never been.
  • We provide pool noodles, so you feel more comfortable in the water.
  • We inform you of the tide situation for the day, so we can optimize your experience.

I’ve never been scalloping. Is it hard?
Scalloping is surprisingly easy to learn. Even if you’ve never been snorkeling, you can learn quickly. At Scalloping Florida , we’ll help you learn, including how to spot scallops in the sea grass and the sandy bottom.

What do scallops look like?
Scallops are small mollusks that lay on the Gulf floor and look like this:

How long will my scallop trip last?
Most trips last approximately 4 hours. Because we cater to one trip per day, your time is not cut short by a captain returning to make a second trip.

How many scallops are we allowed to keep?
The legal limit is 2 gallons per person or 10 gallons per boat. (Keep that in mind if the charter company is putting you with other people. Your take will be impacted by having other people included.)

Can we keep starfish or other interesting creatures we see while snorkeling?
Negative! We are in the St. Martin Aquatic Preserve and should be respectful of the environment.
TIP: Bringing an underwater camera is a great way to capture pictures of your adventure.

Can I bring dive equipment?
Dive equipment just isn’t necessary and it’s a little over the top for what we’ll be doing – besides, snorkeling is fun!

Can we move to more shallow water once we’re out?
Captain Moe can do that, but it doesn’t equal finding scallops. He’ll take you to the best place to find scallops with the water depth being dependent on the tide. It’s usually less than 6 feet.
With that said, it’s critical to depart at the scheduled times to take advantage of the best tide for that day. (Note that trips more than 30 minutes late can be affected.)