The pinnacle of phenomenal crab-eating is the Stone Crab. Sought by seafood purists, closely pursued by fishing professionals, and in hot-demand across the country, this crab favorite offers some of the most savory seafood eating you can find on a menu.
Marco Island residents and restaurant owners know better than anyone about this cherished delicacy. A bold celebration has been dedicated here to nature’s tastiest crab with the annual Stone Crab Festival.
The festival covers everything related to this mouth-watering crab, especially what it tastes like! Below is your guide to getting all the crab you possibly can for this year’s Stone Crab extravaganza.
A Weekend of the World’s Finest Crab
The Stone Crab Festival on Marco Island happens each year at the end of October. In 2018, it was held on October 26th through the 28th. The event begins in the morning and continues to the evening for each day.
Overall, this late-October weekend is a whirlwind of local crab, crab cakes, art, and many activities. The event itself is not at one sole location.
The event carries itself in a number of restaurants and local attractions throughout Naples. You can wander the area on foot and explore the various restaurant block parties, street vendors, live entertainment, and more erupting in Naples for the weekend.
Participants
A number of different local favorites are involved with the festival. The Old Naples Waterfront is the center of the action, hosting live entertainment, games for families, and more.
The waterfront is part of the larger collective and downtown area of Bayfront and Tin City. Guests can walk along the water, hitting the gorgeous Golden River Bridge on their way to the main sights. Indoor and outdoor dining, a gift shop, pet walking areas, and watersport rental providers all contribute to the makeup of this splendid waterfront area.
Tin City is a waterfront shopping and dining district that especially lights up during the evening. Visitors who attend can find drink and exclusive stone crab combination specials throughout the weekend. Tin City is located at 1200 5th Avenue in South Naples, Florida.
The Port of Naples Marina is also directly involved with the festivities. This little marina offers affordable boat rentals and a handful of local shops. Visitors can come by for the Stone Crab and stay for the jet ski, boat, and kayak rentals available on-site. Even if you miss the festival, this is a wonderful place to enjoy classic Florida décor and dining.
The Experience Naples Visitor Center, at 1010 6th Avenue in South Naples, has also collaborated with event holders to offer information and discounts to participating restaurants. The location is an excellent resource to direct you to various activities and other seasonal events.
Finally, the Naples Trolley Tours are available to bring attendees to the various locations and help them avoid the inconveniences of parking near the activities. The trolley runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The city erupts with fun, all around the savory goodness of stone crab.
Visit Marco Island for the Stone Crab Festival
It’s also a celebration of all the things that make Naples and Marco Island so fascinating and welcoming. This year marks the ninth iteration of this crab festival in southern Florida, and it is shaping up to be the boldest and biggest yet.
Get right there on the action by staying at one of our local vacation rentals on Marco Island, just minutes from Naples and near pristine, relaxing beautiful beaches on one of Florida’s most sought-after barrier islands. Just walk, skip, and hop right to the local dining options and waterfront attractions.