Experience Florida’s Sports Coast (FSC), the Destination Management Organization for Pasco County, is pleased to welcome back its annual 10-day Bay Scallop Season July 17 - 26, 2020.

Still a fairly new offering for the destination, 2019 marked the first year Pasco County was granted a continued season, following a more than 25 year hiatus. The sport, now highly anticipated year after year, kicks off the third Friday in July.

“Scalloping is a unique and exciting offering for our destination; we’re thrilled to offer such a special experience each year, and to welcome back families and friends as they scallop with us this season,” said Adam Thomas, CDME, Director of Tourism at Experience Florida’s Sports Coast.

Scalloping is one of the easier sea adventures (only requires basic swimming skills) making it a fun – and not to mention socially distant – offering enjoyed by solo-travelers, families and small groups alike; just grab a snorkel, mask and fins! Many travelers opt to scallop with a personal vessel, whereas those that are new to the sport can book a private guided charter with a local fishing captain.

To the recreational snorkelers’ delight, a day well spent on the water is often capped with a “cook your catch” dinner. The dime-size sweet scallops are one of Florida’s tastiest seafood delicacies and can be baked, broiled, blackened, fried, sautéed or even drenched in citrus for ceviche.

In celebration and promotion of the destination’s newly reinstated recreational bay scallop season, Florida’s Sports Coast partnered with JL Video to create a video showcasing a local family heading out for a fun underwater adventure with a Sports Coast fishing charter captain. Earning a highly distinguished designation, the promotional film was recently awarded a Gold Telly – an annual award honoring excellence in video – and can be viewed here.