For two frantic days every summer, Florida’s waters belong to lobster hunters. The sport season — always the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday in July — is the unofficial kickoff to spiny lobster season, and nowhere feels it more than the Keys.
When & where
July 28 – 29, 2027, statewide, with the Florida Keys as the undisputed epicenter. The mini-season always falls on the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday in July. Note that bag limits and rules differ between the Keys and Biscayne Bay National Park and the rest of the state, so confirm current regulations before you splash.
Why it matters
This is the single busiest boating window of the Florida summer. Every ramp in the Keys turns to chaos, dive flags dot every channel and marina slips fill to capacity. For yacht owners, crew and charter operators, it means gridlocked waterways and sky-high demand — the kind of days you plan a season in advance.
Know before you go
- Plan every vessel movement around the crowds — Keys ramps and channels are jammed both days, dawn to dusk.
- Dive flags will be everywhere; slow down, keep clear and post a lookout.
- Know your bag and possession limits and measure carapace in the water with a proper gauge — rules differ in the Keys and Biscayne Bay versus statewide.
- Carry a valid saltwater fishing license and a spiny lobster permit before you enter the water.
Plan your visit
Official rules: myfwc.com
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