We are located at Salty Siren Tours in the Crystal Terrace Shopping Center located directly behind Hardee's on US Highway 19 in Crystal River, FL.
Description
A Florida-style underwater Easter egg hunt!!
From July 1st - September 24th, Bay Scallops are the name of the game when it comes to the ultimate in family fun! Found in the shallow water grass beds of the Gulf of Mexico, these delicacies from the sea are the ultimate in harvest to table experiences. Like Discover Crystal River says, "It’s a fun family-friendly underwater adventure; all you need is a mask, snorkel, flippers, and one exceptional charter captain" that's where we come in!
After a scenic 40-minute cruise to the scallop grounds, you'll don your masks, fins, and snorkels and grab a catch bag. (All provided in the cost of the charter.) Our in-water guide will get you started by pointing out these tasty morsels. Then it's off to the races snorkeling to collect your treasure.
Once you’re back, you can even bring your catch to a local restaurant that will cook it for you. It’s a cherished local tradition and a Florida family favorite.
Schedule & prices
Runs
Every day
Start times
8:00 AM and 1:00 PM
Group price
$700 per group of up to 1
In demand: 60 of the next 60 departures are already sold out.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 3.
Scallop Shucking (Shucking available for additional $8.00/gallon at the marina.)
Towels, sunglasses, hats, sunglasses and beverages other than bottled water are not included but highly recommended.
Traveller Ratings
5.0
11 reviews
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11
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How it compares in Crystal River
Rated higher than 77% of 78 reviewed tours in Crystal River
Excurgo comparison of 128 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Participants should know how to swim.
Participants that require regularly worn vision correction should wear contact lenses or purchase a prescription mask.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Half-Day Private Scallop Harvesting Snorkel Excursion take?
Half-Day Private Scallop Harvesting Snorkel Excursion lasts about 5 hours.
How much does Half-Day Private Scallop Harvesting Snorkel Excursion cost?
Prices start at $700 per person for this Crystal River experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Half-Day Private Scallop Harvesting Snorkel Excursion run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 8:00 AM and 1:00 PM.
Does Half-Day Private Scallop Harvesting Snorkel Excursion sell out?
It can: 60 of the next 60 departures are already sold out, so booking ahead is a good idea.
Can I cancel Half-Day Private Scallop Harvesting Snorkel Excursion for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is We are located at Salty Siren Tours in the Crystal Terrace Shopping Center located directly behind Hardee's on US Highway 19 in Crystal River, FL. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Half-Day Private Scallop Harvesting Snorkel Excursion offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a private experience: only your party takes part. Up to 15 travellers can book together.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Half-Day Private Scallop Harvesting Snorkel Excursion worth it?
Travellers rate it 5.0 out of 5 across 11 verified reviews; it is run by Salt River, LLC.
Reviews(11)
O
O9298ISjohnc
September 7, 2025
Scalloping Rockstars!!!
We had the most amazing family experience with Capt Ed and Capt Kim on this trip! The scalloping was awesome, but the education about the area and vital ecosystem was just as exciting! They both are an amazing amount of knowledge and you can tell how passionate they are about what they do. It was an experience that our family can’t wait to do again!!! I never knew how competitive my family could get about finding scallops and we would not hesitate to book with SaltySirenTours again!!! We are hooked! Thanks again Capt’s Ed and Kim!!! You guys knocked it out of the park!!
1 people found this helpful
Operator response
🌟 What an incredible review — thank you so much! We’re absolutely thrilled your family had such an amazing scalloping adventure with us. 🐚✨ It makes us so happy to hear you enjoyed not only the scalloping itself, but also learning about the area and the ecosystem we’re so passionate about protecting. 💙
We love that your family got a little competitive — that’s all part of the fun! 😄⚓️ Knowing you’re already “hooked” and planning to join us again means the world to us. Thank you for trusting Salty Siren Tours with your family’s experience… we’ll be ready to knock it out of the park again on your next trip! 🙌💦
B
betsybR2312ES
July 16, 2025
Best. Day. Ever.
Going out with Capt. Ed and Capt. Kim felt like going scalloping with old friends. Thankful for their expertise and generosity. We learned a lot from our time on the water with them. Definitely coming back!
Operator response
Thank you for the kind words. We’re so glad your day with Capt. Ed and Capt. Kim felt like heading out with old friends. Their expertise, generosity, and love for the water make every trip special, and we’re thrilled you enjoyed learning along the way. We look forward to welcoming you back for your next adventure.
3
396MarcK
July 6, 2025
Crystal River Scallop Charter 1/2 day.
There are no better captains on the river!!! We have been sailing with Capt. Ed & Kim for many years. There make you feel like family and always get the job done!
Operator response
Thank you for your heartfelt review. It means so much to know you’ve been sailing with Capt. Ed and Kim for many years and that they make you feel like family every time. Their dedication to creating memorable, successful trips is unmatched, and we’re grateful for your continued trust. We look forward to many more adventures together on the river.
T
Traveler36975626129
July 2, 2025
Amazing time!
Both captains were amazing I would definitely them to anyone that wants a fun day of scalloping. We plan on coming back again in the future. Both of my daughters said they want to come out again before we even made it back to the marina.
Operator response
Thank you for your kind words. We’re so glad you and your family had such a great day scalloping with our captains. Hearing that your daughters were ready to come back before you even returned to the marina is the best compliment we could receive. We look forward to welcoming you all back for another fun day on the water.
R
robinski2
July 28, 2024
A must use tour operator for a must do activity in a must visit town
Thank you Ed and Kim for yet another great experience in Crystal River.
We went out with Ed a few years ago and looked him again on our return to Crystal River.
Scalloping and Fishing with Ed is a reason to visit the area on it's own. Ed and Kim know how to treat people fairly and provide a great experience on the water.
And the scallops were lovely to eat !
Operator response
Thank you so much for allowing us the opportunity to one again get you out on the water to appreciate all that Crystal River has to offer! It was our sincere pleasure to serve you, and we can't wait to see you again!
H
Hoofing
September 16, 2023
Excellent Scalloping Adventure
We had a great time and found a ton of scallops! Captain Ed was awesome and his crew spent a lot of time helping us clean the scallops. We will definitely do this again!
Operator response
So glad you enjoyed your time scalloping with us in the pristine Gulf of Mexico waters off the coast of Crystal River. We enjoyed our time and can't wait to see you again in the future!
T
Tourist12055186173
August 19, 2023
Fun day!
We had the most wonderful day with Capt Ed and Capt Kim scalloping in the Gulf on their pontoon boat. We had no idea what to expect and it turned out that snorkeling around looking for scallops in the grassy shallows is incredibly fun! Especially with such great people who know how and where! If you want to spend an enchanting day out on the water with fun people on a great boat look no further! Then go home and cook up some delicious delicacies of the sea! Yum!
Operator response
THANK YOU SO MUCH! We love sharing this amazing place with our guests, and we are glad it shows. We appreciate you, and we hope to see you again in the future!
M
matthewcY8422NJ
August 17, 2023
CAPTIN ED AND CAPTIN KIM ARE AWESOME!
We had an AMAZING time with Captins Ed and Kim! They were super nice and great teachers. Our kids (13, 12, and 7) had a great time! We will definitely book again with Salty Siren! 5- Stars all the way!!!!
Operator response
Matthew! You and your family were SO much fun, and we had a great time getting you out there. We are looking forward to your next scallop adventure with us!
4
41robynk
August 7, 2023
Fun Day
We had a wonderful trip! The captain and his wife went out of their way to give us a memorable day and a bucket full of scallops!!!
Operator response
Thank you SO much for the wonderful review. We work hard to ensure that your scallop adventure is everything and more, and we hope to take you out again next season!
E
erikb42zaphod
July 25, 2023
Great Scalloping Adventure
Fantastic trip with Salty Siren! Great boat, Ed and Kim were amazing guides and very knowledgeable about the ecosystem. We’re already planning our next trip. You have to try this.
Operator response
Thank you SO much for the review! We had such a great time with you, and we too are looking forward to our next charter with you!
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