The Ultimate Guide to Stone Crab Season on Florida's Paradise Coast

Naples, Marco Island and the Everglades is the birthplace of the stone crab industry and one of the nation's largest suppliers of stone crab claws. Each year, from October 15^th to May 1^st, this area becomes the epicenter of stone crab activity, producing up to 40% of the state of Florida's stone crab supply. Here’s everything you need to know about this famed crustacean and its influence on Florida’s Paradise Coast.

Everglades City: Stone Crab Capital of the World

Everglades City, with a population of around 500, is known as the Stone Crab Capital of the World. The town's history with stone crab dates back decades, thanks to pioneering figures like Loren "Totch" Brown.

Commercial fishermen once considered stone crabs a nuisance, often accidentally catching them in their traps instead of blue crabs. However, Brown claims to have originally recognized their potential, “inventing” the stone crab industry. "The thought came to my mind that they hadn't been commercialized any place in the United States, and that there ought to be some way to do it," Brown wrote in his memoir Totch: A Life in the Everglades.

Now deceased, Totch is credited by many with pioneering what is now a multimillion-dollar business and a lifeblood of the local economy, alongside tourism. Family-owned fisheries line the waterfront in Everglades City and Goodland, and generations of crabbers continue the tradition.

When is Stone Crab Season?

Stone crab season runs from October 15^th through May 1^st. During this time, crabbers set traps in local waters, harvesting only the claws and returning the live crabs to the water to regenerate. Strict regulations set by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission govern claw size and harvesting methods, protecting stone crab populations for future generations.

WHERE TO GET STONE CRAB

Whether you want to taste fresh stone crab with a Gulf view or purchase claws to take home, Florida's Paradise Coast offers plenty of options.

CRABBERIES & SEAFOOD MARKETS

• Kirk Fish Company (Goodland): Family-owned fish house along the waterfront on Buzzard’s Bay. Buy stone crab claws packed on ice to take home for later, as well as Gulf shrimp and fresh fish.
• Grimm’s Stone Crab (Everglades City): Purchase fresh stone crab claws from this family-run operation in the heart of Everglades City. Top tip: don’t forget Miss Wanda’s Homemade Mustard Sauce!
• Triad Seafood Market & Café (Everglades City): Famous for its all-you-can-eat Stone Crab specials, this Everglades City institution overlooks the Barron River.

RESTAURANTS THAT SERVE STONE CRAB

• City Seafood (Everglades City): Casual riverside dining with claws sold by the pound (accompanied by a side of homemade honey mustard) and a seafood market for take-home purchases. They also provide shipping for out-of-town customers.
• Little Bar (Goodland): Enjoy locally sourced stone crab claws served in a homey Old Florida setting, with live entertainment and a cozy bar.
• Swan River Seafood (Naples): A neighborhood restaurant and market offering high-quality northern and southern seafood, including Florida stone crab claws during the season.
• Truluck’s (Naples):  Located on 4th Avenue between Naples Bay and the Gulf, Truluck’s is known for stone crab claws that go from traps to table within 24 hours, ensuring unmatched quality.
• Pincher’s: This fresh-from-the-Gulf seafood restaurant has locations in both Naples (Tin City) and on Marco Island, offering claws straight from local fisheries and a popular “kids eat free” policy.
• The Claw Bar (Naples): Seafood towers and locally sourced entrees served in a chic hotel dining room at Bellasera Resort.
• Kelly’s Fish House (Naples): The city's oldest seafood restaurant, offering stone crab claws and a classic Old Florida experience along the Gordon River.

STONE CRAB EVENTS & FESTIVALS

• Naples Stone Crab Festival (October): This free festival marks the start of stone crab season, featuring live music, chef showcases, and plenty of claws along Naples’ historic waterfront at Tin City. The 2025 celebration begins on Friday, October 24^th at 5 p.m., with the traditional “cracking of the first Stone Claw.”
• Everglades Seafood Festival (February): A long-running tradition in the Stone Crab Capital of the World, featuring local seafood, country music, carnival rides, and arts & crafts, hosted by the Florida Stone Crabbers Association. The next Everglades Seafood Festival will take place February 13^th through 15^th, 2026.

How to Eat Stone Crab Claws

Stone crabs are considered a delicacy. Their price depends on the previous year’s harvest, how much you’re buying, and the current market prices. Fish markets sell stone crab claws based on size (medium, large, jumbo, or colossal), and the price per pound varies accordingly. The taste of stone crab is comparable to lobster, and it’s typically served chilled with a squeeze of fresh lime juice or accompanied by tangy mustard sauce.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

1.  Grip the claw with the pincer pointing upward to keep it steady.

2.  Gently tap each section with a cracker until you see small cracks forming.

3.  Remove the shell in pieces, using a seafood fork to reach the meat in the knuckle joints.

4.  Inspect for any bits of shell.

5.  Squeeze a bit of lime juice on top or dip the meat in mustard sauce.

6.  Enjoy!

Start Planning Your Stone Crab Season Trip

No stone crab experience is complete without making it a getaway! Florida's Paradise Coast offers accommodations ranging from waterfront hotels to luxury resorts, placing you near the region’s best seafood spots and events. Download the free Stone Crab Pass below to make the most of your visit. For an authentic taste of Florida's seafood heritage, ONLY Paradise will do.