Florida Keys Lobster Mini Season 2026: Dates, Rules, Gear & Where to Stay

Updated for 2026

Every summer, the Florida Keys transform into one of the most exciting hunting grounds in the country — not for game, but for the Caribbean spiny lobster. The two-day Lobster Mini Season (officially called the Sport Season) is a Florida Keys institution that draws hundreds of thousands of participants to Marathon, FL and the surrounding Middle Keys, Upper Keys, and Lower Keys. If you're planning a trip around mini season 2026, this guide gives you everything you need: confirmed dates, regulations, gear, how to find lobster, and where to stay so you're right in the heart of the action.

This is Betsy…a biologically correct model of a spiny lobster located at the Rain Barrel in Islamorada. Hundreds of thousands of people flock to the Florida Keys for mini lobster season each year.

2026 Florida Keys Lobster Season: Quick Reference

What: Recreational spiny lobster harvesting — snorkeling or freediving, no SCUBA required

Who: Residents and non-residents alike — open to everyone with the right license

When: Mini season July 29–30, 2026 (always the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday of July); Regular Lobster Season Aug 6, 2026 – Mar 31, 2027

Where:  Monroe County (Florida Keys) and Biscayne National Park — with stricter local rules than the rest of Florida

Why: Fresh lobster, open water, family adventure, and a Keys tradition like no other

Here's how mini season and regular season compare at a glance:

	Mini Season (Sport Season)	Regular Season
Dates	July 29–30, 2026	Aug 6, 2026 – Mar 31, 2027
Who Can Participate	Residents & non-residents	Residents & non-residents
Daily Bag Limit (Keys)	6 per person per day	6 per person per day
Night Diving	Prohibited (mini season)	Allowed (check local rules)
License Required	Yes — FL saltwater + lobster stamp	Yes — FL saltwater + lobster stamp
Carapace Size Minimum	More than 3 inches	More than 3 inches
Commercial Traps	Traps not yet in water	Commercial traps active

→ Related: Best Time to Visit the Florida Keys with Family

About the Florida Spiny Lobster: What You're Actually Catching

First things first: Florida Keys lobster are not the same creature you'd find in Maine. The Caribbean spiny lobster (Panulirus argus) has no claws. What it does have are two long antennae, strong legs, and a body covered in sharp spines that can cut through gloves if you're careless. They're also surprisingly fast — they can swim backward to escape — so technique matters more than speed.

Spiny lobsters are nocturnal and shelter during the day under rocks, in reef crevices, under mangrove roots, and along the edges of grass flats. Casa Feliz sits directly on a Gulf-side grass flat in Marathon, FL — and yes, guests have spotted lobster right out front during season.

"The Florida Keys spiny lobster has no claws — but it has attitude. Respect the spines, wear your gloves, and measure every one in the water before it goes in the bag."

The Process: Here is a fantastic article (with video!) on how to catch lobster using the snorkel method: https://www.saltstrong.com/articles/how-to-catch-lobster-in-the-fl-keys/

How to Find Spiny Lobster in the Florida Keys

Finding lobster is the real skill. Here's where to look — from the grass flats off Marathon to the deeper reef edges:

1. Look under things. Spiny lobster are ambush-hiders. Target rock ledges, coral heads, reef crevices, and dense vegetation.

2. Follow the current. High-current areas concentrate lobster because they bring food. More ledges, more lobsters — but also more risk for novice swimmers, so assess conditions honestly.

3. Work the grass flat edges. The transition zone between open sand and seagrass beds is prime territory. The Gulf-side flats around Marathon, FL and the Middle Keys are particularly productive.

4. Search under mangroves. Mangrove root systems are classic lobster hideouts, especially closer to shore in shallower water.

5. Research GPS coordinates in advance. Lobster hunters share coordinates for known productive holes. A quick search for 'Florida Keys lobster holes GPS' will surface community spots before your trip. This video is amazing! https://youtu.be/sT8Et0e1eWM?si=n7X0f9P3Zbrif309

Marathon is often described as quieter and more beginner-friendly than Key West for mini season — lower boat traffic, less crowding, and productive shallows that don't require SCUBA certification. Casa Feliz is on a grass flat and, yes, we have seen lobstering in front of the house! Grab your gear and head out!!

→ Related: Ocean Activities: Fishing, Diving & Snorkeling from Marathon

How to Catch Spiny Lobster: The Snorkel Method

You don't need SCUBA gear to catch lobster in the Florida Keys. Many of the most productive spots are in fewer than 10 feet of water, fully accessible on snorkel. The basic method:

1. Spot the lobster under its shelter. Antennae protruding from a dark crevice is your tell.

2. Position your net at the opening behind the lobster while a partner uses the tickle stick to gently prod it from the front.

3. The lobster will back into the net. Scoop and secure it.

4. Measure the carapace (the hard shell section from the eyes to the tail joint) in the water before removing. Must be more than 3 inches to keep.

5. If it's legal size, it goes in the bag. If not — back it goes, carefully.

   
   

Lobster Mini Season Gear List: What You Need

You can find basic lobster kits at many Florida Keys dive shops, Walmart, or even local Walgreens locations. Here's what to bring:

Gear	Why You Need It
Tickle stick	Gently coax lobster out of hiding
Lobster net or snare	The catch — required tool
Lobster measuring gauge	Must measure carapace in water before taking
Protective gloves	Spiny lobsters can puncture skin
Mask, snorkel & fins	Standard snorkel setup is all you need
Dive flag	Required by law when in the water
Cooler with ice	Keep your catch fresh immediately
FL saltwater license + lobster stamp	Non-negotiable — both are required

Florida Keys Lobster Regulations 2026: Know Before You Go

This is where most visitors get into trouble. FWC enforcement is active and aggressive during mini season — officers check coolers on the water, at boat ramps, and at cleaning stations. The regulations are not suggestions.

Bag Limits

In Monroe County (Florida Keys) and Biscayne National Park: 6 spiny lobster per person per day. This is lower than the 12-per-person limit in the rest of Florida — and it applies to both mini season and regular season. No pooling limits between people. Each harvester must maintain their own legal count.

Size Limit

Carapace must measure greater than 3 inches. Measurement must be taken in the water, before the lobster is removed. Soft-shell (recently molted) lobsters must be released regardless of size.

Prohibited Gear

No spearfishing for lobster in Monroe County. Only hand-held nets (dip nets, snare/bully nets) and tickle sticks are legal. Hook-and-line and spears are off the table.

Night Diving Prohibition During Mini Season

Night diving — defined as within one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise — is prohibited during the two-day sport season throughout Monroe County, including Marathon. Plan your dives accordingly.

No-Dive Zones

No snorkeling or diving within 300 feet of residential or commercial shoreline during either season. This includes canals and marinas.

Dive Flag

Required by law any time you are in the water. Fly it while diving; take it down when you are back aboard or underway.

License & Permit

Every harvester age 16 or older needs a valid Florida saltwater fishing license and a lobster permit (also called a lobster stamp). Non-residents can purchase both online before arriving. The official FWC source for all regulations: myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/lobster/

"FWC officers flood the Keys during mini season. Citations for undersized lobster, over-limit catches, and boating violations are common. Know the rules — and keep the regulation card in your bag."

Frequently Asked Questions About Florida Keys Lobster Mini Season 2026

When is lobster mini season in the Florida Keys in 2026?

Florida Keys Lobster Mini Season 2026 runs July 29–30, 2026 — the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday of July each year. It is open to both residents and non-residents. Regular season follows on August 6, 2026 and runs through March 31, 2027.

Do I need a license for lobster mini season in Florida?

Yes. You need a valid Florida saltwater fishing license and a separate lobster permit (lobster stamp) for every harvester age 16 or older. Both are available online through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at myfwc.com. Purchasing before your trip is strongly recommended.

How many lobsters can I keep during mini season in the Florida Keys?

The daily bag limit in Monroe County (Florida Keys) and Biscayne National Park is 6 spiny lobster per person per day — both during mini season and the regular season. This is lower than the statewide limit of 12 elsewhere in Florida. Limits cannot be pooled between people.

Do I need a boat to lobster in the Florida Keys?

No. You can go lobstering from shore or by snorkeling off a beach with water access. Lobster are frequently found in fewer than 10 feet of water along grass flat edges and under nearshore structure. Guests at Casa Feliz, for example, are right on a Gulf-side grass flat — prime lobster habitat reachable directly from the property.

Can I snorkel for lobster, or do I need SCUBA gear?

Snorkel is all you need. Most productive shallow-water lobster spots in the Florida Keys are well within snorkel depth. SCUBA gear is not required and is overkill for most recreational lobstering — especially the shoreline and grass flat hunting that beginners do best.

Is night diving allowed during lobster mini season in the Florida Keys?

No. Night diving — defined as within one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise — is prohibited during the two-day sport season throughout Monroe County. This applies even in unincorporated areas of the Keys and in Marathon. Plan your dives for daylight hours only during the July 29–30 mini season window.

Planning Your Mini Season Trip: What to Book Early

Mini season is a two-day window, and the Keys get crowded. Accommodations, charter boats, and rental gear move fast — in many cases, months in advance.

Here's what to lock in early:

•  Accommodations with waterfront or water access — properties right on the Gulf or Atlantic are most convenient for gear staging and direct-from-shore lobstering

•  A lobster charter if you want expert guidance on spots, legal compliance, and maximizing your catch in 48 hours

•  Rental gear if you don't already own equipment — local dive shops often sell out of tickle sticks and nets the week before season

•  Your FWC license and lobster permit — purchase online in advance at myfwc.com

Marathon, in the Middle Keys, is a particularly strategic base. It puts you within comfortable driving distance of both Upper and Lower Keys lobster grounds, and the Marathon area grass flats and backcountry waters are reliably productive.

→ Related: 5 Best Day Trips from Marathon, FL

Stay at Casa Feliz: The Best Home Base for Florida Keys Lobster Season

Lobster Season is all about the thrill of the catch—and Casa Feliz was made for moments like this. Stay right in the heart of the action. Our private beach house in Marathon is perfectly situated in the Middle Keys, giving you easy access to some of the best lobstering waters in both directions—whether you’re heading out toward the Gulf or the Atlantic. After a day on the boat, you’ll love coming back to unwind in comfort: fire up the grills, soak in the hot tub, or cook up your catch in the gourmet kitchen. With its central location and resort-style amenities, Casa Feliz is the ideal home base for your lobster-season adventure.

Lobstering is a gear-heavy, early-morning, full-day activity. You need space to rinse and store equipment, a kitchen large enough to actually cook what you catch, and enough room for the group that typically makes this kind of trip worthwhile. Casa Feliz delivers all of that — and then some.

Here's why lobster season regulars choose us:

•  Direct ocean-side waterfront access in Marathon, FL, right on a productive grass flat — no boat required to get in the water.

•  Sleeps up to 10 guests — the right size for a family lobster trip, a multi-generational group, or a crew of serious divers who want to share costs.

•  Private beach for gear staging, gear rinsing, and post-dive decompression.

•  Resort-style pool and hot tub — because after a full day of chasing bugs in the water, you've earned it

•  Gourmet kitchen with full equipment — cook your catch the same evening it came out of the water. Lobster fra diavolo at home beats waiting for a restaurant table during peak season.

•  Central Middle Keys location — Marathon puts you within easy range of both Upper and Lower Keys lobster grounds without fighting Key West traffic.

•  Full concierge program — we can connect you with trusted local charter captains, dive shops, and gear rentals before you arrive.

Book your stay at Casa Feliz for Mini Season now—and make this year’s adventure your best one yet. Click here to reserve your dates and get the best rate by booking direct.