A 3-Day Stone Crab Tasting Tour Across Florida's Paradise Coast

Each fall, stone crab season returns to Florida’s Paradise Coast. From October 15^th through May 1^st, visitors have the unique opportunity to taste fresh stone crab claws harvested daily and served in markets, dockside cafés, and upscale dining rooms. To make the most of the experience, we’ve put together this flexible three-day itinerary that takes you through Naples, Marco Island, Goodland, and Everglades City.

Day 1: Naples

Naples is a wonderful place to start your stone crab tasting tour through Florida’s Paradise Coast, offering the perfect mix of upscale shopping and dining next to beautiful white-sand beaches. Check into your hotel and then choose between fine dining restaurants, casual waterfront locales, or even local seafood markets where you can purchase stone crab claws to freeze for later.

Here are some of our top choices for stone crab in Naples:

• Truluck’s: Located on the famous 5^th Avenue South, Truluck’s is renowned for serving stone crab claws harvested daily and brought from traps to tables in under 24 hours. Pair claws with premium wine selections in an elegant setting.
• The Claw Bar: Inside Bellasera Resort, this popular spot is known for its seafood towers stacked with stone crab. If you visit on a Friday or Saturday, consider booking a table at The London Club, where the same menu is served alongside live jazz.
• Swan River Seafood: Part seafood market, part restaurant, Swan River offers claws for both dine-in and takeaway. Stock up on extra to enjoy later if you have a kitchen in your accommodations.
• Kelly’s Fish House Dining Room: A Naples tradition since 1953, this riverside stop offers simply prepared stone crab and a view of local fishermen tying up next to the last working fish house in town.
• Pincher’s (Tin City): A casual dockside spot serving claws by the pound with all-day drink specials and a “Kids Eat Free” policy. Watch the boats pass while you crack claws over lunch or dinner.

If you’re ending your day near 5^th Avenue South, consider making a reservation for post-dinner drinks at The Vine Room.

Pro tip: Book your Naples trip for the weekend of October 24-26, 2025, to attend the Naples Stone Crab Festival.

Day 2: Marco Island

On day two, make the short drive from Naples to Marco Island, the largest of the Ten Thousand Islands. Known for its fishing, boating, and shelling, it’s the perfect place to take advantage of both stone crab season and Gulf-front views.

Here are the places we recommend for your tasting tour:

• Fin Bistro: This locally-owned restaurant changes its menu based on the day’s best local catch, often featuring stone crab during the season.
• The Oyster Society: Known for its art deco-inspired setting and raw bar, The Oyster Society serves stone crab claws alongside oysters and seafood towers. You can also enjoy live jazz music Friday through Sunday night.
• CJ’s on the Bay: Located in the Esplanade Shoppes, CJ’s offers casual marina-front dining. Pair stone crab claws with a cocktail while watching the boats return for the evening.

Choose to spend the night on Marco Island to enjoy easy access to day three’s coastal stops. For example, the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort, Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort & Spa, and Marco Beach Ocean Resort are all popular options.

Day 3: Goodland and Everglades City

Wrap up your tour with a drive to Goodland and Everglades City, where stone crab traditions remain deeply rooted in local fishing culture.

• The Little Bar Restaurant (Goodland): A long-running favorite known for serving claws alongside grouper, soft shell crab, and steaks in a no-frills setting with live music.
• Kirk Fish Company (Goodland): A working fish house where you can buy claws by the pound. Staff can pack them with ice, making it easy to take your seafood on the road.
• Grimm’s Stone Crab (Everglades City): A family-run market unloading stone crab daily from local boats. Ask for Miss Wanda’s Homemade Mustard Sauce for the complete experience.
• City Seafood (Everglades City): Dockside dining where you can watch pelicans and manatees as you enjoy claws served with homemade honey mustard.
• Triad Seafood Market & Café (Everglades City): Known for its all-you-can-eat stone crab specials, this long-standing local spot is a true feast for seafood lovers.

Optional afternoon stop: Visit the Museum of the Everglades for insight into the area’s fishing heritage before heading back to Naples or continuing your journey.

Pro tip: Plan your trip for the weekend of February 13-15, 2026, to attend the Everglades Seafood Festival.

Make the Most of Stone Crab Season

From upscale dining rooms in Naples to dockside markets in Everglades City, Florida’s Paradise Coast offers countless ways to experience stone crab season. Download the free Stone Crab Pass below to make planning as seamless as possible! For a tasting tour that celebrates one of Florida’s most iconic seafood traditions, ONLY Paradise will do.