Panama City, FL: August 14, 2025 — As Florida’s stone crab season opens on October 15, food lovers and coastal explorers alike can look forward to one of the state’s most anticipated culinary traditions on the Gulf Coast. Running through May 1, this prized delicacy is known for its sweet, firm meat and is sustainably harvested from the calm waters of St. Andrews Bay.

For locals, stone crab season brings a wave of activity to the bay, from setting sustainable traps to swapping favorite recipes for the season’s first catch. Some head out in small boats to check carefully placed traps, while others prefer a more hands-on approach, snorkeling over grass beds and sandy flats to spot the crabs’ telltale burrows. The method is reminiscent of scalloping, but with a bit more adrenaline. A quick reach into the hole, a careful grab, and the crab is in hand. Its claw is harvested before the crab is released to regrow it.

“People live their whole lives here and never realize we have stone crab,” says Beckah Kozlowsky, co-founder of Saltwater Social, a Panama City-based lifestyle brand and experience company that celebrates coastal living. “It blows their minds when they find out because they’re such a delicacy. It’s a ritual for us. We scout our spots, harvest carefully, and enjoy them fresh.”

The classic preparation keeps things simple: claws are boiled, cracked, and served chilled with mustard sauce or melted butter. For something indulgent, Kozlowsky recommends her signature twist: stone crab atop oysters with butter, imperial sauce, baked, and topped with green onion.

Travelers can savor stone crab across Florida’s Gulf Coast. In Panama City, Tarpon Dock Seafood Market is a trusted source for freshly harvested claws of all sizes during the season. Local restaurants often feature them on specials menus, offering diners a true taste of the bay.

Destination Panama City President & CEO Jennifer Vigil says, “Stone crab season is a celebration of our connection to the bay. Whether you’re snorkeling for your own catch or enjoying it at a waterfront table, it’s a uniquely Panama City experience you will not forget.”

Whether enjoyed at a waterfront restaurant, picked up fresh from the dock, or experienced through a hands-on eco-adventure, stone crab season offers an unforgettable way to connect with Panama City’s coastal identity.

For more information visit DestinationPanamaCity.com.