Florida Seafood Specialties From Coast to Coast
In partnership with: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
You’d be hard-pressed to find a place with as much diverse and plentiful access to fresh seafood as Florida. Along the state’s coasts, aquaculture thrives – and many towns and cities have their own seafood specialties.
Pensacola: Snapper
Pensacola features many artificial reefs that serve as habitats for bottom-dwelling fish like snapper. While there are many varieties of snapper in the area, red snapper are the most commonly caught here. Weighing anywhere from 5 to 30 pounds or more, these fish are both gorgeous and tasty.
Apalachicola: Oysters
Producing 90% of the state’s oysters, Apalachicola Bay features 30 miles of shallow water that create the perfect environment for oysters to grow and thrive. Located on the Florida panhandle, Apalachicola Bay benefits from the nutrient-rich freshwater that flows from the Apalachicola River, and as a result, Apalachicola oysters are notoriously fat and sweet. Mechanical devices are not allowed in the area, and all oysters are picked by hand (with long tongs).
See more: Oceans of Florida Seafood
Fernandina Beach: Shrimp
Home to the annual Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival, Fernandina Beach is known as the birthplace of modern shrimping in America. The town celebrates its shrimping heritage through the Fernandina Beach Marine Welcome Center & Shrimping Museum. Among other things, the museum showcases the families that helped make the Fernandina Beach shrimping industry a success.
Key West: Spiny Lobster and Mahi-Mahi
An area surrounded by water on practically all sides, it’s no wonder that Key West has not one but two seafood specialties. Spiny Lobsters are different from traditional lobsters found in Northeast America – they don’t have claws, so all the meat is located in the tail. The spiny seafood is celebrated each year at Key West’s Lobsterfest, which is a huge tourist draw. Mahi-mahi, Key West’s second specialty, are one of the most popular sport fishes around and are particularly abundant in the area. They generally weigh 15 to 30 pounds and feature gorgeous scales of green, blue and yellow.
Cortez: Grouper and Stone Crab
For fishing enthusiasts, Cortez is prime for catching grouper. There are dozens of private fishing charters available in the area with guides that specialize in grouper. Cortez is also well known for stone crab, with the community coming together each year to celebrate with the Cortez Stone Crab & Musical Festival. Stone crab season starts in October and lasts for five months, with the festival typically taking place in November.