Scallop season is short. Make it count.
The Levy County recreational bay scallop season runs July 1 to September 24 each year. Cedar Key is the only town inside that zone with downtown lodging a short walk from a public boat ramp. Crystal River and Homosassa get more of the scalloping press; Cedar Key is where you stay in town, walk to the ramp, and have the flats mostly to yourself.
Season dates and limits below are from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, last confirmed for the 2026 season. FWC reviews dates and limits each spring. Levy County has run July 1 to September 24 in recent years; confirm on MyFWC before July.
What you need to know before you book
The zone: Levy County's harvest area sits between the Fenholloway River (Taylor County line) and the Suwannee River. Most boats launch from the public ramp at the Cedar Key boat basin, about a 12-minute walk from our building.
The bag limit: 2 gallons whole in shell, or 1 pint of meat, per person per day. 10 gallons whole in shell, or 1/2 gallon of meat, per vessel per day.
The license: Florida saltwater fishing license required unless exempt or on a licensed charter. Buy online at MyFWC.com.
The depth: Scallops sit in 4 to 8 feet of water in seagrass beds. Snorkel, mask, and a mesh bag is all you need. No tanks, no spear.
Where to launch
- Cedar Key Public Boat Ramp at the boat basin, about a 12-minute walk from 634 6th Street. Free parking for vehicles, paid for trailers. Floating dock. Best for trailered boats.
- Cedar Key City Marina at the foot of Dock Street. Slip rentals, fuel, ice. Best if you're chartering or renting a boat for the day.
Don't have a boat? Charter options
We don't take referral fees from any of these. They're the operators we'd put our own family on:
- Hookin It Charters & Tours (Capt Jayson Porter): scalloping trips during season. fishingcedarkey.com
- In The Slot Fishing Charters (Capt Jason Clark): inshore and scallop trips. intheslotfishing.com · (352) 639-3209
- A J Brown Charters (Capt Danny Morgan): inshore.
Charters typically run $400 to $700 for a half-day for up to 6 people, plus tip and fuel. The season is short and weekends fill up; book ahead.
Boat trailer parking
We can accommodate up to 2 boats and trailers in our overflow lot two doors down, on a per-request basis. Mention your trailer when you book and we'll confirm space for your dates.
Picking a unit for a scallop trip
Pelican Point is the largest (king bed, two bathrooms) and the easiest for a crew. Gull Wing has no stairs, the easiest for hauling coolers and gear in and out. The Heron Nest units are upstairs (carry coolers up a flight) and share an upstairs porch with water views. Sandpiper Wing is a one-bedroom for a solo scalloper or a couple.
Pelican Point
Biggest unit · king bed · 2 bathrooms
<span><span>Pelican Point is a FIRST FLOOR (~5 steps) 2-bed/2-bath r</span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">emodeled apartment in downtown Cedar Key, less than a 10-minute walk to Dock Street!</span> <div><span> </span></div> <div><span>The unit offers 2 bedrooms/3 beds (one with a king bed and one with twin/full bunk beds), covered porch, high ceilings, FREE Wi-Fi, 2 Fire TVs, full kitchen, washer/dryer, and easy parking. </span></div>
White Heron Nest
Upstairs · shared porch with water views
<div><span>White Heron Nest is a 2-bed remodeled apartment with water views in downtown Cedar Key, less than a 10-minute walk to Dock Street!</span></div> <div><span> </span></div> <div><span>The unit offers two bedrooms with queen beds,</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> covered porch with swing, high ceilings, FREE Wi-Fi, 2 Fire TVs, full kitchen, washer/dryer, and easy parking. </span></div>
Blue Heron Nest
Upstairs · shared porch with water views
<div><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Blue Heron Nest is a 2-bed remodeled apartment with water views in downtown Cedar Key, less than a 10-minute walk to Dock Street!</span></div> <div> <div><span> </span></div> <div><span>The unit offers two bedrooms with queen beds,</span><span> covered porch with swing, high ceilings, FREE Wi-Fi, 2 Fire TVs, full kitchen, washer/dryer, and easy parking. </span></div> </div>
Sandpiper Wing
Solo or couple · 1 bedroom
Sandpiper Wing is a FIRST FLOOR (4 stairs) 1-bed/1-bath remodeled apt w/ den with sleeper sofa located less than a 10-min walk to Dock Street in Cedar Key!<br /><br />The unit offers 1 bedroom with a queen-sized bed & high ceiling. The den is truly a second bedroom with its own door and closet. The sleeper sofa is comfortable. Sandpiper Wing offers FREE Wi-Fi, 2 Fire TVs, full kitchen, and easy plentiful parking.
Gull Wing
No-stairs access · ground floor
<p>Gull Wing is a FIRST FLOOR NO STAIRS 1-bed/1-bath remodeled condo & porch located less than a 10-min walk to Dock Street in Cedar Key!</p><p>The unit offers 1 bedroom with a queen-sized bed & high ceiling. Gull Wing offers FREE Wi-Fi, 2 Fire TVs, full kitchen, and easy plentiful parking.</p><p>1st time Airbnb guests welcome!</p>
The packing list
What to bring: mask, snorkel, mesh bag, dive flag (Florida law if you're snorkeling outside a designated swim area), white five-gallon bucket for shucking, shucking knife or spoon, reef-safe sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, water shoes, dry bag, cooler with plenty of ice. We provide: linens, towels, full kitchen with full-size fridge and ice maker. Outdoor cleaning space and hose access depend on the unit; ask us before you book.
The cleaning
Cleaning bay scallops is the work. Plan on 30 to 60 minutes per gallon, two people working. Shuck, scrape, save the muscle. Trash is picked up Tuesday and Friday; if you're cleaning more than 2 gallons, double-bag and freeze shells until your departure so they don't smell.
If the weather goes bad
Scallop season overlaps with afternoon thunderstorm season. Check the radar before you launch. Morning trips are the safest bet; be back by early afternoon if the forecast is questionable.
First time?
Do it as a charter. The guide knows where the seagrass beds hold the densest scallops, carries the dive flag and the insurance, and keeps an eye on the kids. After one charter trip you'll have enough to do it on your own next year if you want to.
Season data last verified October 30, 2026.