When Is Stone Crab Season in Florida? Your 2025 Seafood Calendar

Seafood enthusiasts across the U.S. eagerly wait each year to ask the same question, when is stone crab season in Florida? Known for their sweet, tender meat and eco-friendly harvesting practices, stone crabs are one of the most prized catches in Florida waters. But unlike other seafood available year-round, fresh stone crab claws are only in season for a limited time. In this guide, we’ll cover the 2025 dates, why the season is restricted, and how you can still enjoy claws even after it ends.

When Is Stone Crab Season in Florida?

The official Florida stone crab season begins on October 15, 2025, and ends on May 1, 2026. During this window, fishermen across Florida particularly in the Keys, Miami, and Everglades set traps to harvest crabs. Only one claw is removed before the crab is returned to the water, ensuring it can regenerate and continue thriving.

So, if you’re planning a seafood feast or trip to Florida, remember these dates. They mark the only period when you’ll find freshly caught claws on menus and in seafood markets.

Why Is Stone Crab Season Limited?

If you’ve ever wondered why there’s such a short window, the answer lies in sustainability. The stone crab season Florida calendar is carefully designed to protect crab populations. By limiting harvesting to just over six months, regulators ensure the crabs have enough time to reproduce and regenerate claws.

This eco-conscious approach makes stone crab one of the few seafood delicacies where sustainability and taste go hand in hand.

Florida Stone Crab Season Calendar 2025–26

• Season Opens: October 15, 2025
  

• Season Closes: May 1, 2026
  

• Fresh Availability: Only within this timeframe
  

• Frozen/Refreshed Options: Available year-round via delivery services
  

Knowing this schedule helps seafood lovers plan holiday meals, dinner parties, and seasonal gatherings around the availability of claws.

How to Enjoy Stone Crab During the Season

If you’re visiting Florida during the season, you’ll find Florida stone crab claws on restaurant menus, often served chilled with mustard sauce or warm with butter. In Miami and the Keys, entire festivals and dining traditions revolve around the arrival of stone crab season.

Not in Florida? Don’t worry. Thanks to nationwide stone crab delivery, you can order claws directly to your door, ensuring freshness and quality no matter where you live.

What About Off-Season?

Once May arrives, fresh claws are no longer available. But that doesn’t mean you have to wait until next October. Frozen and refreshed claws keep the tradition alive year-round, making it possible to enjoy this delicacy even outside of the official Florida stone crab season.

Conclusion

So, to answer the question once and for all: When is stone crab season in Florida? From October 15, 2025, to May 1, 2026. Mark your calendars, plan your celebrations, and don’t miss the chance to enjoy this iconic seafood.

Whether you’re dining at a Florida restaurant or ordering through stone crab delivery, this seasonal delicacy is worth the wait.