Paddle out or plunge right in—that’s the happy dilemma waiting just five minutes from your campsite. St. Joe Bay’s grass flats are flashing with scallops, and you’ve got two inviting ways to chase them: glide silently in a sit-on-top kayak or kick off the side of a comfy powerboat for an old-fashioned snorkel hunt.
Key Takeaways
• St. Joe Bay is a shallow, clear place full of scallops just 5 minutes from the campground.
• Scallop season is short (about Aug 16–Sept 24); check state rules for exact dates and limits.
• Two ways to hunt:
– Kayak: no fuel, quiet, reaches very shallow grass, good workout.
– Small boat: faster, roomy deck, shade, easy ladder, uses gas.
• Top launch spots: Frank Pate Park (both craft), WindMark Beach (kayaks), Presnell’s Marina and Eagle Harbor (boats).
• Bring mask, snorkel, fins, mesh bag, dive flag, life jacket, and a Florida saltwater fishing license.
• Daily limit: 2 gallons of whole scallops (1 pint of meat) per person, 10 gallons per vessel.
• Best water clarity is at low or slack tide; aim to be off the bay before 2 p.m. storms.
• Keep scallops on ice, shuck at the resort’s cleaning station, then grill 2 minutes per side for a quick meal.
• Trip timing: 3–4 hours round-trip in a kayak; 4–6 hours with a boat.
• Pick kayak for exercise and low cost; pick boat for big crews, pets, and comfort—or try both for more fun.
Which route saves your knees, thrills your teens, or slips neatly between Zoom calls? Should you tow your own yaks or grab a rental and go? And how do you turn a mesh bag of bay gems into grilled-to-perfection appetizers before the sun melts into the Gulf?
Stick with us. In the next few scrolls you’ll get:
• Knee-kind launch ramps 5 minutes from the resort.
• Gear checklists that fit a Class A basement, a travel-trailer trunk, or a minimalist hatchback.
• Tide-timing hacks for half-day hustlers and all-day wanderers.
• Simple, two-minute shuck-and-sear recipes for patio picnics.
By the end, you’ll know exactly whether to paddle, motor—or maybe do both—so your crew can scoop up supper and a story worth sharing around the fire ring tonight.
Why Travelers Even Debate Paddle Versus Power
The question comes down to comfort, cost, and crowd factor. A kayak keeps fuel dollars in your pocket, lets you slip into thigh-deep water that big props can’t touch, and gives you bragging rights for a zero-emission harvest. A small boat, on the other hand, trades arm power for horsepower, spreads out dive gear, and offers shade plus a radio for weather updates.
Personal needs tip the scale further. Empty-nesters with tender knees appreciate a floating dock launch and a high-back seat that sits above the splash line. Teenagers armed with GoPros often prefer a roomy deck where they can tumble in and out without jostling paddles. Digital nomads eye the clock: three hours of scalloping plus a fast plane ride home to the ramp means no missed meetings. Seasonal snowbirds watch water temps; January’s mid-60s favor a steady kayak workout over lengthy soaks.
St. Joe Bay: A Natural Scallop Nursery
St. Joseph Bay is shallow, bowl-shaped, and rimmed with waving seagrass that shelters juvenile scallops and filter-feeds the already clear water. Sunlight reaches the bottom over most grass flats, turning every stroke of a fin into a confetti burst of glittering shells, needlefish, and spooked pinfish. The bay’s protected shape also mutes Gulf swell, so even breezy afternoons remain manageable for small craft tucked inside the peninsula’s hook.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission sets a short but sweet scallop window—typically August 16 through September 24. Verify exact dates and daily limits on the agency’s bay-scallop page before you launch. Right now the cap stands at two gallons of whole scallops—or one pint of cleaned meat—per person, with a ten-gallon whole-in-shell limit per vessel. Respecting those numbers keeps future trips lively and fines off your credit card.
Getting on the Water Without the Hassle
Five minutes north, Frank Pate Park serves as the launchpad of choice for many RV guests. Twin concrete ramps, a forgiving floating dock, and extra-long trailer stalls mean you can ease a kayak or back down a skiff without turning the morning into a parking-lot puzzle. Arrive by 8 a.m. on weekends, slip a few dollars into the honor box, and you’ll be coasting over the flats before the ramp vultures circle.
Prefer to skip boat wakes entirely? WindMark Beach Public Kayak Launch funnels paddle craft straight onto grass flats, no trailer required. Soft sand entry lets you nose the bow in, swing your legs, and glide off without a knee-creak. For bigger boats, Presnell’s Bayside Marina—just east of the resort—offers fuel, overnight slips, and a snack shack for an iced-tea refill after you fillet. Farther northwest, Eagle Harbor inside T. H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park keeps you out of downtown traffic on busy holidays and grants quick access to deeper flats.
Paddling Method: Quiet Harvest From a Kayak
A bright-decked, sit-on-top kayak is the ticket for explorers who like fitness baked into their seafood quest. Clip a three-pound folding anchor to thirty feet of line, stow a mesh catch bag on a rear D-ring, and lash a telescoping diver-down flag upright before crossing any marked channels. Remember: Coast-Guard-approved PFDs aren’t seat cushions—they’re chest gear anytime motors share water with you.
Check wind forecasts and aim for speeds under twelve knots from the east. On arrival, nose the kayak toward a sand patch amid the grass, set the anchor, and slide over the side. Kick gently, fins just clearing the blades, and look for telltale blue eyes dotting the shell edges. Once the bag bulges with your limit, hop back aboard, layer two inches of ice over the haul, and ride the sea breeze home before the afternoon chop builds.
Boat Method: Snorkel Comfort From the Deck
Families or larger crews often appreciate deck room, shade, and a ladder that drops below waterline depth. Load a full-size cooler—half for drinks, half for scallops—and corral fins, masks, and defog solution in plastic milk crates to keep the floor trip-free. At the ramp, secure dock lines, idle away at slow speed, and chart a course for six- to eight-foot grass flats where scallops cluster among turtle grass.
Once the anchor kisses sand, hoist a twenty-by-twenty-four-inch diver flag so other captains stay two hundred feet clear. Snorkelers buddy up in thirty-minute rotations, swapping deck shade for underwater treasure hunts. When the vessel limit is met, lower the flag, stow sharp gear, and idle back to Presnell’s for fuel or Frank Pate for an easy trailer pull-out. Yes, you’ll burn some gas, but you’ll also bank energy for evening card games.
Timing the Tides and Weather
Water clarity peaks on a mid-morning low or slack tide, when sunlight punches straight down and floating grass stays put. Paddle or motor out against gentle currents first, letting the returning flow nudge you bay-ward during the ride home. A smartphone tide-chart app and a handheld GPS keep you honest, especially when a breezy southwest shift can double return-leg time.
Florida summers spark predictable 3 p.m. thunderstorms. Off the water by two means you’re rinsing gear under the resort’s fish-cleaning station just as dark clouds rumble overhead. File a float plan at the front desk—ramp chosen, flat targeted, ETA back. Resort staff know the bail-out points if a squall forces you to duck into WindMark or Eagle Harbor early.
Safety, Licenses, and Courtesy
Every non-exempt harvester needs a Florida saltwater fishing license; secure one online through the state’s license portal before you drive south. When anyone’s in the water, a diver-down flag is mandatory and must drop before the engine engages, as spelled out in state boating rules on the FWC regulation page. Children under thirteen wear life jackets on vessels at all times, and solo travelers should link up with a guide or buddy.
Courtesy keeps the bay friendly. Give neighboring groups a solid two cast-lengths—about one hundred fifty feet—so no one’s fins clash and scallop clusters stay intact. Drop anchors only in open sand, pack out every snack wrapper, and gently flutter fins to avoid uprooting precious seagrass. A healthy flat equals next year’s dinner.
From Mesh Bag to Dinner Plate
The moment your scallops hit the cooler, smother them in a two-inch ice blanket; chilled muscles relax, making the evening shuck faster. Back at Port St. Joe RV Resort, slide into the dedicated fish-cleaning station—gloves and trash cans provided—and pop shells with a stiff oyster knife that won’t dull your kitchen blades. Rinse the meats in saltwater, pat dry, and slip them into quart freezer bags. They’ll keep two days on crushed ice or three months frozen.
For a sunset snack, marinate scallops in olive oil, lime juice, and a shake of Cajun seasoning for fifteen minutes. Thread onto skewers and sizzle over your portable propane grill: two minutes per side delivers a just-set texture. Save a handful for breakfast; a quick butter sauté, scrambled eggs, pico de gallo, and a warm tortilla turn yesterday’s catch into dawn fuel.
Quick Choose-Your-Adventure Guide
If you want zero fuel costs and a built-in workout, pick the kayak. The human-powered hull glides into water barely knee-deep, slips under the radar of rising pump prices, and keeps your heart warm even when winter temperatures hover in the mid-sixties. A three-hour loop from Frank Pate Park fits neatly between morning emails and a 2 p.m. video call, so remote workers can gather dinner without canceling meetings.
Larger crews who need shade for teenagers, cooler space for a weekend’s worth of drinks, and a ladder friendly to a life-vested Labrador will be happier on a small boat. The extra deck room turns gear changes into easy choreography, and horsepower cuts the travel time to distant grass flats. When you cannot decide, schedule a kayak morning mid-week and a boat afternoon on Saturday; sampling both styles keeps every generation entertained and doubles the stories you carry home.
Paddle, power, or mix the two—St. Joe Bay will reward you either way, and Port St. Joe RV Resort puts the whole adventure within a five-minute coast. When your mesh bag’s brimming, glide back to our rinse stations, fire up the waterfront grills, and let those scallops sizzle while the sun paints the Gulf orange.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which method is gentler on knees—kayak scalloping or snorkeling from a boat?
A: Most guests with sensitive joints prefer kayak scalloping because you slide in from waterline seat height and can stand or sit as needed, whereas boat snorkeling often means climbing a taller ladder after every dive.
Q: Can we bring our own sit-on-top kayaks or should we rent once we arrive?
A: You’re welcome to tow your own yaks and launch five minutes away at Frank Pate Park, but if storage space is tight several outfitters in Port St. Joe and Cape San Blas will deliver fully rigged rentals—paddles, PFDs, and anchor included—right to the resort or the ramp.
Q: Do we need a boating license for paddling in St. Joe Bay?
A: No license is required for non-motorized craft, yet every kayak must carry a Coast-Guard-approved life jacket and a whistle, and you still need a Florida saltwater fishing license to harvest scallops.
Q: How long does a typical scalloping trip last?
A: Plan on three to four hours dock-to-dock in a kayak and four to six hours when using a powerboat, which allows for ramp lines, anchoring, and snack breaks between snorkel rotations.
Q: What is the current scallop limit per person and per vessel?
A: Each licensed harvester may keep up to two gallons of whole scallops—or one pint of cleaned meat—per day, with a ceiling of ten gallons whole per vessel; always verify the dates and limits on the Florida Fish and Wildlife website before heading out.
Q: Will the kids stay entertained longer paddling or snorkeling?
A: Most families find teens last about an hour in the water before they need a deck break, so a boat gives them shade and ladder access, while younger paddlers often enjoy the constant motion and wildlife spotting that comes with a kayak journey.
Q: Is solo snorkeling safe, or should I book a guide?
A: St. Joe Bay is generally calm, but if you’re alone the safer bet is to hire a local guide or buddy up with another resort guest so someone is always watching the diver-down flag and weather radar.
Q: What are typical water temperatures in peak season and in winter?
A: From late August through mid-September the bay hovers in the low 80s°F—perfect for short-sleeve snorkeling—while winter drops to the mid-60s°F, making kayaking comfortable in light layers but snorkeling more pleasant only with a 3 mm wetsuit.
Q: Where are the easiest launch spots close to Port St. Joe RV Resort?
A: Frank Pate Park offers floating docks and long trailer stalls, WindMark Beach has a soft-sand kayak entry, and Presnell’s Bayside Marina caters to rental boats with fuel and overnight slips, all within a ten-minute drive.
Q: What basic gear should we pack for either method?
A: At minimum bring masks, snorkels, fins, mesh bags, diver-down flag, sun protection, a cooler with ice, and a sharp knife for later shucking; kayakers add an anchor and dry bag, while boaters add dock lines and a ladder.
Q: Can we clean and cook scallops back at the resort?
A: Yes, Port St. Joe RV Resort has a covered fish-cleaning station with running water, waste bins, and adjacent grills, so you can shuck, rinse, season, and sear without leaving the property.
Q: Are pets allowed on the water with us?
A: Well-behaved dogs are welcome in both kayaks and boats as long as they wear a snug canine life vest and you bring fresh water and shade breaks for the ride.
Q: Will I have cell service for a quick Zoom call or Instagram post from the bay?
A: AT&T and Verizon deliver the strongest signals near Eagle Harbor and Presnell’s, and most paddlers can upload photos or join an audio call as long as they stay within two miles of shore.
Q: Do local outfitters offer senior discounts on guided scallop tours?
A: Several charter companies in Gulf County knock 10–15 percent off weekday excursions for guests aged 62 and up, so mention your Snowbird status when you book to secure the reduced rate.
Q: How do we keep scallops fresh until dinner time?
A: Layer two inches of ice over the shells in a shaded cooler as soon as they come aboard, drain melted water every hour, and you’ll have firm, sweet meat ready for grilling up to 24 hours later.