This Sleepy Florida Fishing Town Has Zero Stoplights And A Front-Row Seat To Scallop Season

Tucked along the Gulf Coast where the Steinhatchee River meets the sea, Steinhatchee, Florida, is the kind of small town that feels like a step back in time—in the best way.

With fewer than 1,000 residents, zero stoplights, and Old Florida charm, this historic fishing village in the Big Bend (where the Florida Panhandle transitions into the peninsula) has long drawn families, fishermen, and anyone who appreciates its unhurried pace and natural beauty.

For my own relatives, Steinhatchee was a cherished summertime tradition—they returned year after year, renting cottages with friends at Steinhatchee Landing and spending relaxing days scalloping, boating, and soaking up the simple pleasures this sleepy harbor town does best.

AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R24ekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R44ekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe

Whether you’re planning a family getaway or a solo escape into Florida’s wild side, here are some of the best things to do in Steinhatchee, one of Florida’s best-kept secrets.

Outdoor Activities

The biggest draw of Steinhatchee is, of course, the great outdoors—especially during scalloping season. Plan to bring your own boat or rent one, because getting out on the water here is a non-negotiable; in addition to enjoying fishing and scalloping (in season), you’re likely tospot wildlife, including dolphins and manatees,in Steinhatchee’s calm waters.

Kayaking, birdwatching, scuba diving, and nature trails are other treasured ways to enjoy the great outdoors in Steinhatchee. Some of Florida’s clearest springs are a short drive away, and the Great Florida Birding Trail and 155-mile Big Bend Saltwater Paddling Trail are also in the area.

Go Scalloping

From mid-June to late September, Gulf waters teem with bay scallops, and Steinhatchee is one of Florida’s top spots to harvest them.

AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R2bekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R4bekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe

The experience is as fun as it is fruitful: take a boat out to the sandy seagrass flats and don snorkels and fins to dive for bright-eyed mollusks in shallow waters. (I mean that literally: the electric blue eyes lining the edges of their shells are how you spot them on the sea floor.) This kid-friendly activity results in a succulent dinner each night, a sweet reward for the day’s labors.

DIY or go with a guide, but either way, grab a scallop sorter to ensure you’re practicing sustainable, legal harvesting: This simple tool is used to measure your catch. If a scallop fits through the hole, it’s too small and must be returned to the water.

Go Fishing

Fishing is a year-round pastime here, with the Steinhatchee River offering easy access to both freshwater and saltwater species. Redfish, trout, and sheepshead are plentiful, and charters can be arranged through any number of local marinas.

The full-service Sea Hag Marina has a large fleet of rental boats and fishing guides available for charter. It also recently updated its bungalows and motel lodges. The marina also created arestaurant mapshowing what’s open post-hurricane, so you know all the options for places to eat.

AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R2hekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R4hekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe

Steinhatchee Marina at Deadman Bay is another go‑to full-service marina with 103 floating slips, a full-service tackle and convenience store, the Marina Bar and Kitchen, boat rentals, and more. It’s the closest marina to the Gulf, so it’s a popular choice with boaters.

Attend the Fiddler Crab Festival

Every February over Presidents’ Day weekend, the three-day Fiddler Crab Festival brings crabby fun and community pride to Steinhatchee.

Go to enjoy hundreds of vendors, a beer and wine garden, live rock and country music (plus gospel music on Sunday afternoon), a fishing tournament with cash prizes, a parade, fireworks, a cook-off, and even the signature fiddler crab races. It’s a fun time to be in Steinhatchee.

Can’t make it in February? Other annual events in Steinhatchee include a massive Fourth of July Celebration, Sips and Sunsets each November, and Christmas in the Park and Festival of Trees during the holiday season.

Enjoy Local Eats

Roy’s Restaurant

While Hurricane Helene leveled the waterfront dining room of Roy’s Restaurant in 2024, “it couldn’t touch 55 years of Roy’s recipes, hospitality, and community spirit,” the restaurant says on its site. While they rebuild, visitors can still enjoy a “Taste of Roy’s” food trailer parked in the original lot. Regulars rave about the fresh grouper and the hush puppies with guava jelly.

Fiddler’s Restaurant And Resort

Whether you’re staying in one of the resort’s cozy rooms or just passing through for dinner, riverside Fiddler’s Restaurant is worth a visit for the seafood and prime rib buffet, weekly live music, and fascinating history. They serve seafood, Cajun, and Southern favorites.

Kathi’s Krab Shack

A locally beloved spot that’s “all about family,” Kathi’s Krab Shack was started by Tom and Melissa Willits in 2012, though the original namesake of the company (Tom’s mother, Mrs. Kathi) was founded more than 40 years ago. “The Shack” serves lunch and dinner in a welcoming setting and is a must‑stop on any Steinhatchee visit.

McDavid’s Cafe

If you’re counting calories and can’t resist hot donuts, biscuits and gravy at breakfast, or a blue-plate special for lunch, don’t go toMcDavid’s Cafe, where the cuisine and hospitality are just about as Southern as it gets. They also do box lunches to take with you for a day on the boat.

CycleHere Media / Visit Florida

Where to Stay

There are several low-key hotels, motels, inns, and marinas where you can stay in Steinhatchee. In addition to the shacks at Sea Hag Marina, find our top picks below.

Steinhatchee Landing Resort

This riverside 35-acre retreat has one—to three-bedroom Victorian, Florida Cracker, and Georgian-style cottages that make it easy to share space with family or friends. Steinhatchee Landing also has a quaint chapel with a koi pond behind it (making it popular for weddings), sports courts, a barnyard, and more—all tucked under moss-draped oaks and towering pines.

Steinhatchee River Inn and Marina

Set on the Steinhatchee River, Steinhatchee River Inn and Marina offers a laid-back home base—plus a warm welcome from River, the golden retriever. Guests can dock their boat at the full-service marina, cool off in the outdoor pool, rent kayaks and canoes, or refresh in clean, comfortable rooms. The inn also offers fishing and scalloping packages with licensed captains.

Read the original article on Southern Living