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Gulf Coast Scalloping

Scalloping 101

Scalloping With Kids

How to take kids bay scalloping in Florida: life jacket law, licenses, limits, snorkel practice, keeping them comfortable, and what works.

Short answer: Scalloping is one of the easier ways to get kids in the water: it's shallow, the water is usually calm, and finding a scallop feels like a treasure hunt. Kids under 16 don't need a fishing license. Kids under 6 must wear a life jacket on boats under 26 feet while underway. An adult should be in the water with every young snorkeler.

The Law

  • Life jackets: children under 6 must wear a Coast Guard approved Type I, II or III life jacket on any boat under 26 feet while it's underway. Every person aboard, of any age, needs a wearable life jacket that fits and is within reach.
  • License: kids under 16 don't need a Florida saltwater fishing license.
  • Limits: the daily limit is per person, but the boat's 10 gallon cap is shared by everyone aboard, licensed or license-exempt. More kids on the boat doesn't raise the boat's total.
  • Dive flag: any time anyone is snorkeling, the flag goes up. If you snorkel from a beach, a flag is still required unless you're in an area used only for swimming.

Is My Kid Old Enough?

There's no legal minimum age. Readiness comes down to the child's comfort in the water. Good signs a child is ready:

  • Swims comfortably and stays calm in water over their head.
  • Has used a mask and snorkel in a pool and can clear water from the snorkel.
  • Will stay next to an adult in the water and come back when called.

Kids who aren't there yet can still come. They can ride along, spot scallops from the boat in clear shallow water, hold the bucket, and count the catch.

Practice First

  • Pool or beach first. Let them try the mask and snorkel somewhere calm before the trip.
  • Fit the mask on land. Press it to their face without the strap and have them breathe in through their nose. If it stays on, it fits. A leaky mask ends the day fast.
  • Short fins or none. Long fins tire small legs.

In the Water

  • One adult per young snorkeler, within arm's reach.
  • A snorkel vest or the life jacket lets a kid float on the surface and look down without working to stay up.
  • Stay close to the boat and the flag. Snorkelers should stay within 300 feet of the flag in open water. With kids, much closer is better.
  • Keep a lookout on the boat watching for swimmers and other boats.
  • Swim into the current first, so the trip back is easy.
  • Mesh bags, not pockets. Scallops can pinch.

Keep Them Comfortable

  • Sun: long-sleeve swim shirts and hats. Reapply sunscreen every time they get out.
  • Cold: kids can get cold after a while in the water, even in summer. A thin wetsuit or rash guard helps.
  • Water and snacks: more than you think.
  • Stings: pack vinegar spray.
  • Short day: a couple of hours on the water is plenty for small kids. Leave while they're still having fun.

What Works

  • A charter. The captain handles the boat, the spot and the gear, so you can stay in the water with your kids.
  • A calm, clear morning. Kids see more scallops in clear water, and summer storms usually build in the afternoon.
  • Teach the eyes. Show them the row of blue eyes on the first scallop. It turns into a game.
  • Give them a job. Spotter, bag holder, bucket counter, flag checker.
  • Let them help clean. A spoon is the right tool, so they can do it too. Wash hands before and after.

Before You Go Home

  • Take the flag down before you move the boat.
  • Count heads.
  • Make sure every child under 6 has their life jacket on before the boat moves.