NAPLES — The 14th Annual Naples Stone Crab Festival celebrates the opening of the stone crab season on the Naples waterfront from October 25-27, 2024.
Stone crab season opens on October 15 every year.
The annual event shows off the historic center of Naples and the bayfront businesses that are this city’s signature destination. It helps that this stretch of the Gulf Coast, especially nearby Everglades City and the Ten Thousand Islands, is Florida’s prime stone crab harvesting region.
Most festival events are hosted at waterfront businesses.
Admission is free, and $5 parking is available at the former Grand Central Station, 388 Goodlette Road South. VIP Parking available for $10 at Bayfront.
Free water taxis will transport you to all waterfront locations participating in the festival.
2024 Stone Crab Festival Entertainment
The Naples Stone Crab Festival kicks off on Friday night with the 5:30 p.m. “cracking of the crab” at Tin City Waterfront Shops, followed by live music at Tin City by Soapy Tuna Band.
- Friday, October 25, 6-9 pm — SOAPY TUNA (Rock classics, 70s to now)
- Saturday, October 26, 11 am-1:30 pm — GATOR NATE (One man band)
- Saturday, October 26, 2-5 pm — PHENOMENAL ANIMAL (Soul, classic rock, funk, and blues)
- Saturday, October 26, 6-9pm — IMPOSSIBLE TOUR – U2 & INXS TRIBUTE
- Sunday, October 27, 11-1:30pm — COLLABORATION BAND (Motown sound)
- Sunday, October 27, 2-5pm — DAZZLING DELRAYS (Doo wop, classic rock, beach and Motown)
Camping near Naples Stone Crab Festival
Collier-Seminole State Park – In the wild and watery world of southwest Florida, Collier-Seminole State Park near Naples draws people who love the natural Florida for camping, hiking and paddling. This state park is also home to the 1924 Bay City Walking Dredge, and how often do you get to visit a “National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark”? The park is 17 miles south of Naples on Tamiami Trail (SR 41.) There are 120 sites with hookups for water and electric. Dump station in the campground. Primitive camping is available along the park’s canoe and hiking trails. The sites are large, and some can accommodate RVs up to 60 feet in length. All are nestled among majestic royal palms and colorful gumbo limbo trees. Pets are allowed. Camping fee: $22 per night plus $7 daily utility fee for water and electric. Reservations: Florida residents can book a site up to 11 months in advance, 10 months for non-residents, online at reserve.floridastateparks.org or by phone at (800) 326-3521 (8 am to 8 pm, M-F).
Related Florida Rambler article: Kayak, camping near Naples
Koreshan State Park — Florida’s wackiness goes back to its first settlers, and Koreshan State Historic Site celebrates one of our earliest eccentrics. Thanks to this cult leader, though, a lovely wooded site on the Estero River was preserved through the years for us to enjoy. So go enjoy it. Kayking and canoeing are popular activities. The river is a brackish tidal waterway which leads to the Estero Bay, approximately 3 miles west. Bring your own, or rent a kayak or canoe at the park. There are 60 campsites with water and electric, including 12 sites set aside for tents. Other amenities include a utility area with a washer, dryer and sinks, a soft drink vending machine and a volleyball court. Pets are welcome in the campground. Camping fee: $26 plus $7 daily utility fee. Reservations: Florida residents can book a site up to 11 months in advance, 10 months for non-residents, online at reserve.floridastateparks.org or by phone at (800) 326-3521 (8 am to 8 pm, M-F).
Related article: Koreshan State Park is Florida’s strangest historic site
More camping in Big Cypress and the Everglades.
Web site: Naples Stone Crab Festival
Things to do near Naples:
Discover Hidden Beach at Clam Pass – Clam Pass beach in Naples is hidden behind a posh resort. It’s special because tides in the little pass let you float in and out of a lagoon like it’s a lazy river ride.
Collier-Seminole Park: Kayak trail, camping near Naples – In the wild, watery world of southwest Florida, this park draws people who love the natural Florida for camping, hiking and paddling.
Corkscrew Preserve: A sanctuary for us, too – This Naples sanctuary is an Audubon Society wildlife preserve where you can hike a boardwalk with good wildlife viewing opportunities.
Like your beaches wild? Try Barefoot Beach – One of the last undeveloped barrier islands on Florida’s southwest coast with shells, sand dollars, gopher tortoises and unadorned natural beauty.
Stone Crabs in Everglades City: Fresh from the source – If you haven’t had enough stone crab, mosey on down to the funky small town of Everglades City, about 36 miles south on the Tamiami Trail.
Smallwood’s store in Chokoloskee – Smallwood Store opened in 1906, when Chokoloskee was the Wild West and Ted Smallwood was a pioneer. Just south of Everglades City.
Bob Rountree is a beach bum and camper who has explored Florida for decades. Bob and his wife Kathy live in South Florida and roam the Sunshine State in their RV with kayaks and bicycles on board. A retired news editor for the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Bob co-founded FloridaRambler.com with fellow journalist Bonnie Gross in 2010.