18 of the Best Adventures in Taylor County

Taylor County is in the Big Bend of Florida—where the state curves and wraps around the Gulf of Mexico. The county has picturesque fishing villages and towns, such as Steinhatchee and Keaton Beach. And for Heaven’s sake, call it STEEN-hatch-ee. If you say it like a German beer STEIN, you’ll be marked an outsider and …

Treasure Hunting (for Bay Scallops!) in Taylor County, Florida

By: Dawn V. Perez Picture the scene, you are heading out to the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico by either the Keaton Beach Canal, the Steinhatchee River or the Econfina River in Taylor County,  watching the seagulls fly, the fish jump in the water and enjoying a fresh salt breeze coming from the …

13th Annual Fiddler Crab Festival ~ February 12-14, 2021

Steinhatchee’s annual Fiddler Crab Festival has become the big event for this small coastal fishing community. From the very beginning, rain or shine, the event has attracted thousands of visitors to the riverside between Taylor and Dixie counties, in Natural North Florida. Steinhatchee is located in southern Taylor County, at the mouth of the Steinhatchee …

The Best of The Best–Florida Stone Crabs

Crabs are a favorite of American diners. There are Dungeness crabs on the Pacific coast and blue crabs from Maryland to the Carolinas. But there’s no crab like Florida’s stone crab, Menippe mercenaria. Found off both the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, stone crabs are not killed during the harvest of their claws. Harvesting is accomplished …

2020 Bay Scallop Season Opens on Florida’s Big Bend, June 15

2020 Bay Scallop Season Opens on Florida’s Big Bend, June 15 The annual bay scallop harvest is the largest economic driver for our Natural North Florida/Big Bend Gulf counties. Snorkelers, hoping for a meal of these tasty mollusks travel from far and wide to take part in what many consider an “underwater Easter egg hunt”! …

Take A Virtual Vacation to Steinhatchee, A Jewel In Natural North Florida’s Taylor County Coast

Take A Break and Take a Virtual Vacation in Natural North Florida Spring 2020 has brought a slowdown to Florida tourism, and tourism worldwide.. Our Visit Natural North Florida region has slowed, too, and with the restrictions of social distancing and travel we’re all dreaming of better times to come. And we hope that potential …

Fiddler Crab Festival, Steinhatchee, February 14-16, 2020 — Bigger and Better!

Steinhatchee’s annual Fiddler Crab Festival has become the big event for this small coastal fishing community. From the very beginning, rain or shine, the event has attracted thousands of visitors to the riverside between Taylor and Dixie counties, in Natural North Florida. Steinhatchee is located in southern Taylor County, at the mouth of the Steinhatchee …

Cooler Weather = Hot Fishing on Florida’s Big Bend Gulf Coast

There’s something about cool weather fishing on Florida’s Nature Coast. Gulf of Mexico waters cool rapidly as cold fronts hit the coast on an almost-regular 3 day cycle. Air temperatures vary from the high 30’s to the 80’s as the Holiday season approaches, and water temperatures soon follow. In many cases, the Gulf water temperatures …

It’s All About Seafood….Florida’s Big Bend Shellfish Trail

Experience fresh, local seafood along Florida’s Big Bend Life on Florida’s Big Bend, especially in the coastal communities of Taylor, Dixie and Levy counties revolves around seafood, especially shellfish. Not only are oysters, clams, shrimp and crabs available at local eateries, they’re available at seafood retailers, often “fresh off the boat”. Certain species. like bay …

Florida’s Big Bend Recreational Bay Scallop Harvest Underway, June 2019

Tiny bay scallops “rule” the waters of Natural North Florida’s Big Bend during the summer months.  The harvest brings visitors from all over the state, as well as many internationals wishing to snorkel for these tasty treats.  Snorkeling for bay scallops isn’t about filling the freezer, but it’s about having fun one the water, followed …