Ever wondered what shimmers just below the grass beds of Santa Rosa Sound? Grab a lightweight net—no experience needed—and step into ankle-deep water on Fairpoint Peninsula, where see-through shrimp flicker like underwater fireflies.
Key Takeaways
• Fun shrimp-netting happens in ankle-deep water on Fairpoint Peninsula, right by Navarre Beach.
• Workshops last about 90 minutes and give you all the nets and buckets you need.
• Anyone from little kids to grandparents can join; no fishing skill required.
• Best time is late spring to early fall, during a rising tide in the morning or late afternoon.
• People 16 or older must grab a quick Florida saltwater fishing license on their phone.
• The 10-to-12-foot seine nets are light, so grass beds and baby fish stay safe.
• You keep just enough shrimp for tonight’s bait or boil and let extra sea creatures go.
• Rinse stations, coolers, and campfire rings at the nearby campground make clean-up and cooking easy.
• Teachers can book weekday trips; lesson cards and data sheets match state science goals.
• Sign up online or at the camp desk; storms or winds over 15 knots mean the class is moved to another day.
From giggling kids chasing “shrimp races” to retirees strolling at a relaxed pace, from anglers scouting live bait to teachers hunting hands-on lesson plans, our new Grass Shrimp Trawling & Seine Netting Workshops turn a simple wade into a memory-making, skill-building adventure—then have you rinsed off and back at your Navarre Beach campsite before the burgers hit the grill.
• Want a safe, splash-friendly way for the whole family to meet marine life up close? Keep reading.
• Curious how a ten-foot seine can level-up tomorrow’s fishing trip—or tomorrow’s science class? We’ve got you.
• Prefer morning or sunset sessions, knee-deep or kayak-side? Scroll on for schedules, gear lists, and shrimp-boil hacks.
Why Shrimping on Fairpoint Peninsula Makes Sense
Fairpoint Peninsula forms a natural pocket of calm water where grass beds thrive, creating the perfect nursery for transparent “ghost” shrimp and a variety of juvenile fish. Because the workshops deploy small, lightweight seines instead of motorized trawls, the activity keeps those beds intact while still giving participants a front-row seat to the Gulf’s hidden life. Seasoned marine educators—many trained at the nearby Navarre Marine Station—explain how each dip of the net helps map species health and water clarity, turning splash time into citizen science.
Location is another win: the shrimping cove sits just minutes from Navarre Beach Camping Resort, so families can step out of an RV or cabin and be knee-deep in discovery before breakfast. Anglers appreciate that the same shrimp they collect here entice redfish and speckled trout on guided trips with local charters, while educators love that weekday sessions dovetail with Florida science standards. Add in the free parking, shaded picnic tables, and sunset views over Santa Rosa Sound, and it’s clear why Fairpoint has become the go-to spot for both first-time waders and old-school bait fishermen.
Grass shrimp may be small, but the memories you’ll make landing them are anything but. When the nets are rinsed and the last tail flicks away, you’re only steps from your waterfront RV pad, cozy cabin, or pet-friendly tent site—clean showers, heated pool, and that sunset fishing pier all waiting to round out the day. Let Navarre Beach Camping Resort be your home base for every workshop tide, every campfire boil, every shared story on the deck. Spots fill quickly during shrimp season, so plan your relaxing escape now and secure the site that fits your crew. Book today, and we’ll have the nets—and the welcome—ready when you arrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need to bring my own net or other special equipment?
A: Nope—every seine, pole, ID tray and harvest bucket is waiting for you on the shoreline, so you can travel light with just water shoes, sun protection and a refillable bottle.
Q: Is the workshop safe and engaging for young kids?
A: Yes, the water stays ankle-to-knee deep, instructors keep a close eye on little hands, and “release team” duties turn learning into a game that even preschoolers love.
Q: How long does the whole experience take, and will it fit between campground meals or naps?
A: Plan on about ninety minutes from welcome to final rinse, which leaves plenty of daylight for lunch back at your RV, an afternoon kayak run, or a toddler nap.
Q: May we keep the shrimp we catch for bait or dinner?
A: Absolutely—take what you’ll use that day, pop the extras back into the grass, and you’ll head home with live bait or a camp-ready boil while still protecting the fishery.
Q: Does everyone over 16 really need a fishing license for this?
A: Florida classifies hand-seining as recreational harvest, so a temporary saltwater license is required for adults; you can secure one online or at the tackle shop in under five minutes.
Q: I have limited mobility—how tough is the terrain?
A: The entry slope is gentle, the sand is firm underfoot, and instructors happily shorten the net span so you can stroll, not sprint, while still sharing the catch with the group.
Q: Are there morning and afternoon sessions to suit different vacation rhythms?
A: Yes, we offer 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. tide-timed slots; choose sunrise coolness before beach crowds or the breezier late-day option that rolls right into sunset appetizers.
Q: Can I apply these techniques to improve my regular fishing trips?
A: Definitely—the demo covers sweep angles, lead-line control and quick bait storage tips that translate straight to kayak launches, pier nights and grass-edge wades around Navarre.
Q: Will educators receive curriculum materials that match Florida science standards?
A: Each booking includes digital worksheets, species cards and data logs aligned with state estuarine benchmarks, plus optional follow-up questions for classroom or homeschool use.
Q: What is the maximum group size, and are chaperones charged?
A: Sessions cap at twenty-five participants so everyone gets net time, and we waive fees for one chaperone per ten students or youth campers to keep budgets happy.
Q: Can we bring our dog along while we shrimp?
A: Leashed, well-mannered pups are welcome on the sand and even love sniffing the splash zone, but please keep them clear of the nets and bring a waste bag to protect the flats.
Q: What happens if weather or tides change suddenly?
A: Safety rules the day—if lightning pops within ten miles or winds top 15 knots, we email or text you with a free reschedule window, and your campground evening plans stay intact.
Q: Is this something we can do repeatedly during a longer stay?
A: Many snowbirds and seasonal campers turn it into a weekly ritual; once you’ve attended the first workshop, you can rent a net from the camp store and keep practicing on your own schedule.
Q: How do we clean up afterward without tracking sand into the RV?
A: The resort’s beachfront rinse stations sit steps from the workshop site, letting you hose off feet, gear and buckets so you return to camp fresh and grit-free.
Q: Can I book a private mid-week session for my family or club?
A: Yes, simply note “private” in the online reservation or call the front desk, and we’ll match you with an instructor and a tide window that keeps the shoreline all to yourselves.