Stone Crabbing
Stone crabbing in Florida is a way of life!
Stone crabs in Florida are a local delicacy, and are one of the most popular seafoods in Florida. They have delicious meat, which is tender and sweet.
Stone Crab Season
The stone crab season in Florida is from October 15th until May 1st, although it can vary from those dates.
The Florida FWC sets the season dates and rules around harvest, including crab trap requirements, and methods of retrieval.
Many people love this time because it marks Florida’s autumn and winter seasons. Temperatures begin falling as Florida’s hot and humid summer season winds down.
This also tends to mark the start of “Snowbird Season”, when many seasonal residents return from their northern homes.
Stone Crab Festivals
Stone crab festivals are usually held at the beginning of the stone crab season in October.
Stone crab festivals around the state celebrate the stone crab season with events like the “Cracking of the 1st Stone Claw”.
Stone crab festivals in Florida are usually like a county fair. Festivals include live music, cooking demonstrations, and fun events, crab-eating contests, arts and crafts, games, activities for kids, and more.
But, the main attraction is typically seafood, especially fresh stone crab claws and other seafood.
- Naples Stone Crab Festival
- Coco’s Crush Bar & Grill Annual Crabfest
- Crystal River Stone Crab Jam Music Festival
- Pine Island Stone Crab Fest
- Cooters Crab Fest
- Florida Keys Seafood Festival
Conservation
The Florida FWC regulates stone crab harvesting to ensure healthy crab populations and long-term sustainability. Some festivals educate attendees about conservation practices.
Stone crabs are considered to be more sustainable than other types of crabs because one claw can be harvested, then the crab is thrown back alive, to keep growing.
When done carefully and properly, stone crabs can be harvested multiple times, keeping a healthy stock.
Sadly, many people don’t follow proper practices, resulting in unnecessary crab losses. Stone crabs are also much less likely to survive in the wild after they lose a claw.
Stone crab festivals are one of my favorite events in Florida. They’re off the beaten path, and always have more locals than tourists.
They’re also a great way to try a variety of Florida seafood dishes and taste of Florida’s coastal heritage.
Other popular seasonal events in Florida include:
- Strawberry season
- Scalloping season
- Spiny lobster season
- Manatee Season
- Snowbird season
- Spring Break
