Oyster season is back—and the Emerald Coast is ripe for harvest!
Oysters grow wild along the Emerald Coast, shaped by clean tides and quiet bays. You’ll find them stuck into muddy shallows, their rough shells blending with the sand and seagrass. They’re salty, firm, and full of flavor, just the way the Gulf makes them. For the locals, picking oysters is a fall tradition, best done with a bucket in hand and boots in the water.
In the Emerald Coast, harvesting wild oysters and clams means getting your hands dirty, feeling the soft sand underfoot, and the best part: savoring the satisfaction of a catch pulled straight from nature. While commercial oyster harvesting in Apalachicola Bay is currently on pause for restoration, recreational shellfishing is still permitted in designated zones with a valid saltwater fishing license.
This spot, located east of Apalachicola Bay, is a favorite among locals for its relatively quiet shoreline and healthy shellfish beds. Harvesting is typically allowed during approved seasons. Always check current status with the FWC.
Known for its brackish waters and sandy bottom, East Bay offers good opportunities for clamming, especially after a few days of calm weather. Always look near submerged grasses and firm flats.
When conditions are right, this bay delivers. Its seagrass beds create the ideal environment for hard clams, but water quality can shift. Call the local FWC field office before heading out.
“Out here on Florida’s Panhandle flats, the tide doesn’t just move, you feel it beneath your boots.”
— Capt. Jake Adcock, Gulf‑Coast Guide & Harvester
This area, scenic and expansive, offers limited but rewarding harvest zones. Access by kayak or small boat gives you the best chance to reach quiet beds.
Water clarity varies, but the eastern stretches may open seasonally for clam harvesting. Gear up early in the day before recreational boaters arrive.
Use the interactive map to find approved open/closed zones across the Emerald Coast, updated daily.
A Florida saltwater fishing license is required for recreational oyster and clam harvesting. Get one through the FWC online portal.
Bring gloves, a mesh bag or bucket, and a small rake or clam hoe to help dislodge clams in shallow sand.
Waterproof boots or waders are highly recommended, tides shift fast and sand can get sticky!
Always check daily status reports on harvesting zones via the FWC website.
Oysters must be at least 3 inches to keep. Stick to bag limits to protect the ecosystem.
Book a cozy rental near Cape San Blas or Port St. Joe for easy bay access and post-harvest cookouts. With Rentalz, you’ll find homes perfect for seafood feasts, beach walks, and sunset views over the Gulf.
Pack your boots, bring your appetite, and experience the Gulf the way locals do.