Steinhatchee Public Boat Ramp
- $5, drop box
- 50 trailer spots
- 3 lanes
The main public ramp in town, on 1st Avenue South.
The Short Answer
Steinhatchee is the busiest scallop town on the Big Bend. Boats launch at the Taylor County ramp on 1st Avenue South, the Jena ramp across the river, or the river marinas, then run out the marked channel and turn north or south for several miles to the grass. Favorite spots run from Big Grassy Island about 6 miles north to the Pepperfish Keys about 6 to 7 miles south.
10Charters
4Public Ramps
3Rentals
1h 45mFrom Gainesville
Fenholloway-Suwannee zone · Taylor County
Scallop Charters in Steinhatchee
All ChartersWhere to Launch
Boat Ramp Boat Ramp Jena Public Boat Ramp
- 8 trailer spots
- 1 lane
- Open 24 hours
On the Jena side of the Steinhatchee River, with Gulf access through the river mouth.
Boat Ramp Ladd's Landing Primitive Launch
- Free launch
- 6 trailer spots
- 1 lane
Primitive launch upriver from town with no docks and no restroom, best for small boats.
Boat Ramp Rocky Creek Park Boat Ramp
- Free launch
- 24 trailer spots
- 2 lanes
Built for shallow draft boats, with direct Gulf access just south of Steinhatchee.
Marina Good Times Motel & Marina
A recommended scalloping base on the Jena bank of the Steinhatchee River.
Marina Sea Hag Marina
The closest protected marina to the Gulf in the area, at Marker 47 on the Steinhatchee River.
Marina Steinhatchee Marina at Deadman Bay
Several Steinhatchee scallop charters depart from this marina.
Boat Rental Good Times Marina Boat Rentals
Renters must be over 21, and anyone born after Jan 1, 1988 needs a boater safety card.
Boat Rental Sea Hag Marina Boat Rentals
- Full day 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Reserve full days by phone or online; half days in scallop season are walk in only.
Boat Rental Steinhatchee River Inn & Marina
Less than two miles from open Gulf water.
Scallop Cleaner Sea Hag Marina Scallop Cleaning
The marina has a cleaning facility and can often find someone to clean your catch for a small fee. A cleaner isn't guaranteed, so call ahead.
Tides This Week
Tides · Steinhatchee River Entrance
High at 3:17 PM
- Low 8:48 AM
- Low 8:51 PM
Check the tide before you leave the ramp. A falling tide can strand a boat on a shallow grass flat.
Today · Mon Oct 26
- High 1:54 AM4.2 ft
- Low 8:48 AM-0.4 ft
- High 3:17 PM3.9 ft
- Low 8:51 PM1.5 ft
Tue Oct 27
- High 2:26 AM4.4 ft
- Low 9:31 AM-0.6 ft
- High 4:06 PM3.8 ft
- Low 9:28 PM1.7 ft
Wed Oct 28
- High 3:00 AM4.6 ft
- Low 10:16 AM-0.7 ft
- High 4:56 PM3.6 ft
- Low 10:06 PM1.9 ft
Thu Oct 29
- High 3:39 AM4.6 ft
- Low 11:04 AM-0.6 ft
- High 5:49 PM3.4 ft
- Low 10:46 PM2.0 ft
Fri Oct 30
- High 4:22 AM4.5 ft
- Low 11:55 AM-0.4 ft
- High 6:43 PM3.1 ft
- Low 11:32 PM2.1 ft
Sat Oct 31
- High 5:13 AM4.3 ft
- Low 12:50 PM-0.1 ft
- High 7:41 PM2.9 ft
Sun Nov 1
- Low 12:28 AM2.1 ft
- High 5:14 AM4.0 ft
- Low 12:52 PM0.4 ft
- High 7:46 PM2.9 ft
Show 30 DaysHide 30 Days
| Date | High Tides | Low Tides |
|---|---|---|
| Mon Nov 2 | 6:31 AM 3.6 ft8:54 PM 2.9 ft | 12:41 AM 2.1 ft2:06 PM 0.7 ft |
| Tue Nov 3 | 8:15 AM 3.3 ft9:49 PM 3.1 ft | 2:13 AM 1.8 ft3:20 PM 1.0 ft |
| Wed Nov 4 | 9:58 AM 3.3 ft10:32 PM 3.3 ft | 3:41 AM 1.4 ft4:22 PM 1.2 ft |
| Thu Nov 5 | 11:15 AM 3.4 ft11:10 PM 3.6 ft | 4:51 AM 0.9 ft5:12 PM 1.3 ft |
| Fri Nov 6 | 12:16 PM 3.5 ft11:43 PM 3.8 ft | 5:47 AM 0.3 ft5:55 PM 1.4 ft |
| Sat Nov 7 | 1:04 PM 3.5 ft | 6:34 AM -0.1 ft6:32 PM 1.5 ft |
| Sun Nov 8 | 12:15 AM 4.0 ft1:46 PM 3.5 ft | 7:15 AM -0.3 ft7:06 PM 1.6 ft |
| Mon Nov 9 | 12:45 AM 4.1 ft2:24 PM 3.5 ft | 7:51 AM -0.5 ft7:39 PM 1.7 ft |
| Tue Nov 10 | 1:15 AM 4.1 ft3:00 PM 3.4 ft | 8:25 AM -0.5 ft8:12 PM 1.7 ft |
| Wed Nov 11 | 1:44 AM 4.1 ft3:36 PM 3.3 ft | 8:58 AM -0.4 ft8:44 PM 1.8 ft |
| Thu Nov 12 | 2:15 AM 4.1 ft4:13 PM 3.2 ft | 9:31 AM -0.3 ft9:18 PM 1.8 ft |
| Fri Nov 13 | 2:48 AM 4.0 ft4:49 PM 3.1 ft | 10:05 AM -0.2 ft9:53 PM 1.8 ft |
| Sat Nov 14 | 3:25 AM 3.9 ft5:27 PM 3.0 ft | 10:41 AM 0.0 ft10:34 PM 1.8 ft |
| Sun Nov 15 | 4:07 AM 3.7 ft6:08 PM 2.9 ft | 11:21 AM 0.2 ft11:21 PM 1.8 ft |
| Mon Nov 16 | 4:57 AM 3.5 ft6:55 PM 2.9 ft | 12:06 PM 0.5 ft |
| Tue Nov 17 | 6:00 AM 3.2 ft7:49 PM 2.9 ft | 12:21 AM 1.8 ft1:02 PM 0.7 ft |
| Wed Nov 18 | 7:22 AM 3.0 ft8:46 PM 3.0 ft | 1:37 AM 1.6 ft2:08 PM 1.0 ft |
| Thu Nov 19 | 8:59 AM 2.9 ft9:35 PM 3.2 ft | 2:58 AM 1.3 ft3:14 PM 1.1 ft |
| Fri Nov 20 | 10:23 AM 3.0 ft10:18 PM 3.5 ft | 4:07 AM 0.8 ft4:13 PM 1.2 ft |
| Sat Nov 21 | 11:33 AM 3.2 ft10:58 PM 3.7 ft | 5:05 AM 0.3 ft5:06 PM 1.4 ft |
| Sun Nov 22 | 12:33 PM 3.3 ft11:37 PM 4.0 ft | 5:58 AM -0.3 ft5:55 PM 1.5 ft |
| Mon Nov 23 | 1:27 PM 3.4 ft | 6:47 AM -0.8 ft6:41 PM 1.6 ft |
| Tue Nov 24 | 12:16 AM 4.2 ft2:18 PM 3.4 ft | 7:34 AM -1.1 ft7:25 PM 1.7 ft |
Predicted tides from NOAA station Steinhatchee River ent., Deadman Bay. Wind can push the water higher or lower than predicted. NOAA Station Page ↗
Local Know-How
- Opening weekend is a crowd. In past seasons about 1,500 boats have left the river on opening day, with ramps and marinas overflowing. Get to the public ramp before 8 a.m. on weekends, or go mid week.
- After heavy rain the river pushes dark, tannic water out over the nearby flats. Steer clear of the river plume and keep running until the water turns green and clear before you look for grass.
- The Steinhatchee channel is well marked but narrow, and outside the markers it can be only inches deep at low tide. Stay between the markers, especially near the river mouth.
- Early in the season many boats head north toward Big Grassy Island and Keaton Beach. Later in the summer the flats south near Rocky Creek and the Pepperfish Keys can produce. Big clusters of boats usually mark good grass, but watch for snorkelers away from their boats.
- This zone has a lower bag limit from June 15 to 30 (1 gallon whole or 1 cup shucked per person, 5 gallons whole per boat), then the regular limit runs to Labor Day. Sea Hag Marina has a cleaning area and can often find someone to clean your catch for a small fee.
Getting Them Cleaned
- Freelance scallop cleaners work at Steinhatchee marinas in peak season. Ask at the marina office who is cleaning.
- Look for handwritten roadside signs for scallop cleaning around town in season.
- Get back early. Cleaning lines grow long in the afternoon on busy weekends.
- Bring cash and agree on the price before you hand over your catch.
- Many scallop charters here don't include cleaning. Ask before you book.
Sea Hag Marina Scallop Cleaning is listed under Where to Launch.
Drive times: about 1 hour 45 minutes from Gainesville, about 2 hours from Tallahassee.
Other Towns in This Zone
Fenholloway-Suwannee
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