Stone Crab Fishing in Southwest Florida and Key West: A Local Treasure

When fall rolls around in Southwest Florida and Key West, locals and visitors alike look forward to one of the region’s most mouth watering traditions: stone crab season. Known for their sweet, tender claw meat and sustainable harvesting practices, stone crabs have become a celebrated delicacy along Florida’s Gulf Coast and the Keys. Whether you’re interested in trying your hand at catching them or simply want to understand the process before indulging at a local restaurant, here’s MOST everything you need to know about stone crab fishing in the Sunshine State.

The Unapologetic Charm of the Conch Republic

Step off the Key West Express and onto the streets of Key West, and you don't just feel like you've left the Florida mainland behind—you feel like you've entered a different world entirely. This eight-square-mile island, famously just 90 miles from Cuba, isn't just a tropical getaway; it's a vibrant, quirky, and proudly eccentric town unlike any other in America. Here's what makes the spirit of Key West so wonderfully, unapologetically weird, wacky and FUN.

What weighs over 20 tons, is red, yellow and black, is iconic to Key West, and will be gone for over a year? If you guessed the Southernmost Buoy, you know your trivia!

The Key West National Wildlife Refuge is a 10,670-acre refuge located just off the western coast of Key West, out to the Marquesas Keys. It is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including sea turtles, shorebirds, wading birds, and mammals. The refuge also protects important habitats, such as mangrove forests and seagrass beds.

Started in 2016, Captains for Clean Water is a grassroots nonprofit organization that fights to restore much needed Florida water resources. Committed to uniting the outdoor industry, environmental groups, business community and concerned citizens for the fight for clean water.

Key West is a tropical island located at the southernmost tip of Florida. It is known for its beautiful beaches, vibrant nightlife, and a casual laid-back atmosphere.  When we think tropical AND island.... our minds immediately wander to sunshine, sand between our toes and fresh air. 

There are many outdoor activities to enjoy in Key West.  Most restaurants offer some type of an outdoor spot, whether it be a patio, porch, pool or waterside dining. Outdoor concerts, countless festivals, swimming and sunbathing to fishing and biking. Here are just a few of the best outdoor activities in Key West.

A small town on the edge of Florida's Everglades National Park, Everglades City is  the Stone Crab Capital of the world and gateway to the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge.  Florida is famous for its fresh catch seafood with Stone Crabs a seasonal delicacy served hot or cold with lemon, butter or mustard.

Key West, Florida is a popular tourist destination known for its sunny beaches, vibrant nightlife, fishing and recreational water activities. While this eclectic resort island offers plenty of paid activities and attractions, there are also so many free things to do in Key West.  Known as a creative haven for artists, poets and writers, don't miss the opportunity to visit the many galleries and studios as you explore the island.

Here we go aging ourselves reminiscing about those old canteen trucks from the 1950's that were on army bases, mobile luncheonettes providing affordable food to blue collar workers outside their place of employment, street food in small push carts offering casual fare, snacks and fast food items on city street corners...fast forward to 2009 and this ever growing, popular, swanky gourmet version of the canteen.  

No matter where you live or what you do, time seems to escape us.  How many times have we referred to "time flying".   Despite our best intentions, popular destinations and points of interest in our own backyard that are enjoyed by visitors are always on our "things to do and see list".  One of the most common phrases we hear, at Key West Express is...  " I've lived in Florida for XX number of years, but I've never been to Key West."  Yes, we get it but,  "Why NOT?   What are you waiting for?" A staycation to Key West is just what the "ho-hum" doctor ordered.