Key West is a fantastic place to enjoy the beautiful outdoors, vacation either by yourself or with the entire family in one of our family-friendly rentals. Within Key West, there are some fantastic activities to take part in. One of them is to enjoy the lobster season as well as the lobster mini-season. Lobster season in Key West is truly an incredible time, and it’s something you have to experience for yourself to understand why it’s such a big deal! Before you get started with booking one of our Key West vacation rentals, here’s everything you’re going to want to know about visiting during the lobster season or mini lobster season.
What and When is Key West Lobster Season?
Lobster season in Key West is the time of year when lobster divers can head down below the waters and try to catch some delicious Key West lobster. These lobster drivers are also sometimes called “bug hunters” since the spiny lobsters come from the same phylum as insects. Key West lobster diving is truly an experience like none other.
Each year, lobster season throughout the Florida Keys runs from August 6 to March 31. It’s quite a wide range of time, but it provides plenty of opportunities for you to come and catch lobster. This way, you won’t feel like you have to come when it’s bound to be crowded.
What You Need to Know
It’s important to remember a few things before participating in this experience. You’ll want to make sure you have everything ready before your boat launch; if you book a charter (more on that in a minute), they’ll take care of everything! You’re only able to capture lobsters with a carapace (which is the shell that covers its body) length of three inches or longer and a weight of about one pound. You’re also not allowed to catch female lobsters carrying eggs, which you might find from April to August.
Ensure that you get a saltwater fishing license and keep it on your person at all times. Finally, remember that there is a 6-lobster maximum per day within the Florida Keys.
How Do You Catch a Lobster?
The process of catching lobsters is surprisingly easy. You will start by putting on your SCUBA gear and scouting the bottom of the ocean. You can find spiny lobsters typically around rocks. Once you locate one, you will use a tickle stick, a small rod used to get the lobster out of hiding. Once the lobster comes out, you can loop a loop snare around its tail to capture it. Make sure you bring a “lobster inn” to keep all your lobsters together before you can get back into your boat!
Take a Charter
There are many amazing Key West lobster charters that you can go on to get the best experience. Taking a charter will also put you in the best places to catch the lobster since you’ll be working with an experienced captain! Multiple companies allow you, your family or a larger group to go out with them.
It’s important to book your charter before arriving in the Florida Keys to ensure you get a spot. As it doesn’t happen for very long, charters are in high demand. Some of the best charters in the area are Flats Fishing, Backcountry Fishing, Marquesas Keys, Tarpon Fishing, and more! Charters can vary in price and maximum guests, so check with the individual company of your choice to see who can accommodate your group.
Plan Your Key West Vacation
Learning all about Lobster season in Key West sparking your interest in a vacation? Look no further than our luxury Key West vacation rentals! After a long day on the water, return to all the best amenities in your vacation rental when you stay with Key West Vacation Homes!
About Key West Mini Lobster Season
There is a mini lobster season which happens once per year. This happens for two days and occurs specifically on the last Wednesday and Thursday during July. Some sports fishermen’s permits need to be obtained to get the lobsters. This smaller lobster season allows lobster divers to have a couple of days by themselves on the water before the larger lobster boats start coming in to collect.
During the mini-season, Key West vacation rentals fill up particularly fast. Not only is it an exciting time for lobster divers, but this time of year also gives terrific weather for swimming and checking out all the other fun things to do in the area!
Where to stay
There are tons of unique waterfront Key West vacation rentals available for people looking to enjoy the area, whether you’re visiting during the lobster season or any other time of year. Many of these Key West house rentals are not only in the perfect location, but they have amazing amenities for guests to make themselves comfortable truly.
The best Key West luxury vacation rentals are available through Key West Vacation Homes. Most of our Key West rentals have laundry areas, smart-home technology, and high-speed internet, and they are within walking distance to other Key West attractions. If you’re searching for a place where you and your family can truly relax and be able to enjoy the lobster season, we’ve got the rental for you! Just contact us today to get you and your family set up with the ultimate Key West rental.
