Scallop Season
Opens Tomorrow:
Your Weekend Guide
Tomorrow morning, the 2026 recreational bay scallop season officially opens in the Pasco County zone. If you have been marking the calendar, this is the weekend to grab your mask and mesh bag and get into the shallow seagrass beds off Hudson Beach FL. The Scallop & Music Fest takes over SunWest Park for three days, the Gulf water is warm and calm, and the first-weekend scallops are waiting in water so shallow you can wade right in. Here is everything you need to know for the opening weekend of scallop season on the Nature Coast.
When and Where: The Basics
The 2026 recreational bay scallop season in the Pasco County zone — which covers the waters off Hudson Beach, Florida, New Port Richey, and the entire Pasco County Gulf coast — opens Thursday, July 10 and runs through August 18. That is five full weeks of scalloping on one of the most accessible stretches of the Florida Nature Coast.
If you are willing to drive 30 minutes south, the Hernando County zone (including Hernando Beach and the Weeki Wachee area) actually opened on July 1 and runs through September 24 — a longer window with excellent grass flats of its own.
July 10 – August 18, 2026
Hudson, New Port Richey, and the full Pasco County Gulf coast.
2 gallons whole scallops in the shell, or 1 pint shucked meat per person per day. Vessel limit: 10 gallons whole or ½ gallon shucked.
Scallop & Music Fest at SunWest Park: July 10–12
The opening weekend of scallop season coincides with the Scallop & Music Fest at SunWest Park in Hudson, Florida. Running Friday July 10 through Sunday July 12, this free, family-friendly festival brings live music, seafood vendors, food trucks, local artisans, and waterfront activities to the park's 70-acre spring-fed lake. It is one of the biggest community events of the summer on the Pasco County Gulf coast and the official kickoff to one of the Nature Coast's most beloved summer traditions.
Admission is free. Parking is $5. The aqua park, paddleboard rentals, and beach volleyball courts are all open during festival hours. SunWest Park opens daily at 7 AM and closes at 7 PM, with extended festival activities on Friday and Saturday evenings. If you have kids, this is the kind of community event that makes Hudson Beach FL feel like the small-town Gulf coast village it is.
Insider Tip: The parking lot at SunWest Park fills by 10 AM on festival weekends. Arrive by 8 or 9 AM to get a good spot. Better yet, scallop first at Strickland Park in the morning, then head to the festival for lunch and live music — two activities, one perfect day on the Hudson Beach coast.
Where to Scallop This Weekend
The best scalloping along the Pasco County coast is found in the shallow seagrass beds that line the Gulf between Hudson Beach and the Anclote River area. Scallops cling to seagrass blades in water that is typically two to six feet deep, which makes this a wade-in activity in many spots — no boat required.
- Hudson Beach / Strickland Park Area
Wade out from the shore near Robert J. Strickland Memorial Park and work the seagrass beds in the shallows. Best at low tide when the water is clear and the scallops are easier to spot. No boat needed — this is the most accessible scalloping in Hudson Beach, Florida.
- Anclote Key Preserve State Park
Boat access only, but worth the trip. The shallow grass flats around the barrier island are some of the most productive scalloping grounds in the area. Crystal-clear water, fewer crowds on weekdays.
- Hernando County Grass Flats
The seagrass beds near Hernando Beach and the Weeki Wachee River mouth opened on July 1 and are already producing. Several local charter services run guided scallop trips from the Hernando Beach marina.
What to Bring: The First-Weekend Checklist
- Mask and snorkel (test the fit the night before)
- Mesh bag for collecting scallops
- Florida saltwater fishing license
- Dive flag (required by law when in the water)
- Fins (makes wading through seagrass much easier)
- Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
- Waterproof bag for your phone and keys
- Cooler with ice — scallops spoil quickly in the Florida heat
Rules Reminder: You need a valid Florida saltwater fishing license unless you are on a licensed charter boat. Your vessel must display a dive flag while anyone is in the water. The FWC officers patrol actively during scallop season — especially opening weekend. Stay within bag limits and enjoy the ride.
Your Perfect Opening Weekend Itinerary
Here is how I would spend the first weekend of scallop season in Hudson Beach, Florida:
Friday, July 10: Opening Day
Get out early. Launch from Strickland Park at first light, or wade in from the seawall at low tide. The opening morning of scallop season on the Pasco County flats is a local tradition — the water is calm, the seagrass beds are untouched, and the scallops are everywhere. Spend two to three hours collecting your bag. By 10 AM, head to the Scallop & Music Fest at SunWest Park for lunch and live music. In the evening, cook your fresh scallops at home — seared with butter and garlic, or tossed into pasta with white wine and cherry tomatoes. This is what summer in Hudson Beach FL is all about.
Saturday, July 11: Scalloping + Festival
If you went to Strickland Park on Friday, try a different spot Saturday. A short boat ride to the grass flats near Anclote Key or Three Rooker Bar will put you on larger concentrations with clearer water. Several charter services in Hudson offer guided scallop trips — book early, because opening weekend fills up fast. After your trip, swing back through the festival for the Saturday evening festivities at SunWest Park.
Sunday, July 12: Rest Day
Sleep in. Head to Inn on the Gulf for a late waterfront breakfast. Walk off the meal with a sunset stroll from Strickland Park. Or if the scalloping bug has bitten, head back out for one more session before the afternoon thunderstorms roll in. The season runs through August 18 — you have five full weeks. But the first weekend always has a special energy.
Tips From a Local
- Go at low tide. The water is clearer, the seagrass beds are shallower, and scallops are easier to spot. Check the tide chart before you head out.
- Look for the blue eyes. Scallops have tiny blue eyes along the edge of their shell that reflect light. Once you know what to look for, you will start seeing them everywhere in the seagrass.
- Weekday mornings are the sweet spot. The grass flats near Strickland Park get crowded on opening weekend. If you can swing a Tuesday or Wednesday trip, you will have more scallops per square foot and far fewer people in the water.
- Be back by 11 AM. Afternoon thunderstorms build fast in July. Plan your scalloping for the morning, then use the afternoon for the festival, lunch, or a nap.
- Wear water shoes. The Gulf bottom near Hudson Beach has oyster shells and occasional sea urchins. Protect your feet.
- Get your scallops on ice fast. They spoil quickly in Florida heat. Have a cooler waiting in the car or on the boat.
What to Do With Your Scallops
Fresh bay scallops are sweet, tender, and miles beyond anything you will find at a seafood counter. Here are the preparations that locals along the Pasco County Gulf coast swear by:
- Seared with butter and garlic. The classic. Pat the scallops dry, sear in a hot cast-iron pan with butter, garlic, and a squeeze of lemon. Two minutes per side, no more.
- Scallop ceviche. Dice the raw scallops, toss with lime juice, cilantro, jalapeño, red onion, and a pinch of salt. Let it sit for 20 minutes. Perfect for a hot summer evening in Hudson Beach FL.
- Pasta with scallops. Toss seared scallops into linguine with white wine, garlic, cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil. A Hudson Beach, Florida summer dinner that costs almost nothing and tastes like a hundred dollars.
Weather & Conditions This Weekend
83–87°F. Warm enough for all water activities without a wetsuit. Clearer in the mornings before afternoon storms stir up sediment.
Highs of 89–92°F with heat index in the mid-90s. Morning scalloping sessions are the way to go — be off the water by noon.
Expect pop-up storms most days between 2 and 4 PM. Brief, intense, and clearing by 5 PM. The rule: morning activities, afternoon rest, evening sunset.
Full moon on July 10 brings strong tidal flows. Great for moving water at dawn, but check tide charts for the best low-tide scalloping windows.
The Bottom Line: The opening weekend of scallop season is one of the best weekends of the year on the Hudson Beach, Florida coast. The scallops are fresh, the water is warm, the Scallop & Music Fest fills SunWest Park with music and seafood, and the Pasco County Gulf coast delivers the kind of summer day that makes you understand why people move here and never leave. Get your gear ready tonight, set your alarm for dawn, and get out there tomorrow. See you on the seagrass flats.
Whether you are a long-time resident of Hudson Beach FL, living in Spring Hill, visiting from New Port Richey, or just discovering the Pasco County Gulf coast for the first time, scallop season is one of the most authentic summer experiences on Florida's Nature Coast. For more seasonal guides and local insights, explore our full blog — including our complete scalloping guide with gear checklists and step-by-step tips for first-timers.