News for the active lifestyle in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis

Perseid Meteor Shower to Peak Overnight Aug. 12 Into Aug. 13

8/10/2026

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Star gazers across Central Florida will have a chance to catch one of the year's most impressive celestial displays this week, as the Perseid meteor shower reaches its peak overnight on Aug. 12, continuing into the early morning hours of Aug. 13, 2026.

With 50 to 100 shooting stars per hour away from city lights, the Perseids are widely regarded as one of the most active and popular meteor showers of the year. Weather permitting, this year's peak offers a prime opportunity to witness the show since local viewing conditions are excellent due to favorable moon phases.

Observers can begin watching around 11 p.m. when meteor rates typically pick up, and stay out as late as possible. The viewing generally improves the closer it gets to dawn, so those willing to stay up, or set an early alarm, are likely to be rewarded with the best show.

The Perseid showers occurs every year as Earth passes through a trail of debris left behind by a large comet discovered by astronomers in the 1860s. As Earth moves through this debris field, tiny fragments, some no larger than a grain of sand, slam into the atmosphere at roughly 36 miles per second and burn up almost instantly, creating the bright streaks of light known as shooting stars.

The Perseids are active for about six weeks every summer, typically from mid-July through late August. Activity sharply increases in mid-August. During that peak, the shower can produce more than 100 meteors per hour under ideal conditions, including occasional fireballs, which are meteors bright enough to briefly outshine the stars around them.

For those hoping to catch the show locally, experts generally recommend finding a cleared spot away from bright neighborhood or city lights, giving eyes at least 20 to 30 minutes to adjust to the darkness, and looking toward a wide swath of open sky rather than any single point, since meteors can appear anywhere overhead.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, visit the area's website and be sure to follow Mount Dora Buzz's Instagram and Facebook page for more local info.

Day trippin' for Homosassa scallops

8/1/2026

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There’s no shortage of day trips for adventure seekers in Central Florida. One of the easiest and most fun activities is a day of scalloping in Citrus County. The underwater quest for tasty Bay Scallops is a virtual underwater scavenger hunt aided by a mask, fins, and a snorkel.

The first thing to do is head to Homosassa during Citrus County’s scallop season, which runs through September 24. The small town is nestled on the banks of the Homosassa River, a pristine nine-mile waterway that leads to the Gulf of Mexico. The prolific outflow from the 45-foot-deep Homosassa Spring is what creates the scenic river’s flow.

Scallop hunters can either hire one of the local scalloping charter boats or trailer their own boat and launch it from one of the local ramps. The beautiful boat ride alone is worth the trip. Once in the Gulf, the real fun begins. Donning snorkeling gear, scallopers hunt for the hinged mollusks as they rest camouflaged in seagrass beds under five or six feet of water. Once startled, the scallops dart away, and the chase is on. If successful, scallop hunters can yield a hefty bag of fresh shellfish by the end of their outing. However, finding and catching the little critters can be tricky, so here’s a quick video. If the scallops are too elusive, stop by Shelley’s Fish Market to take some home.

What to know before you go

GEAR:
Mesh bag, scalloping net, snorkel, mask, fins, ice chest, and gloves (optional).

LICENSE:
Recreational harvesters on boats need a Florida saltwater fishing license to harvest bay scallops

LIMITS:
Like all other fisheries in the State, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission regulates the harvesting of scallops. The daily limit is two gallons of whole bay scallops in shell, or one pint of bay scallop meat per person; maximum of 10 gallons of whole bay scallops in shell, or half a gallon bay scallop meat per vessel.

BOATING:
Scallopers that take their own boat should be mindful of the changing tides in the shallow waters. Scallopers can also opt to hire one of the local scalloping boats with a guide who knows the local waters.

SHELL DISPOSAL: Scallopers are asked not to discard scallop shells in the Homosassa River or Crystal River. The discarded shells can damage the seagrass habitat, as well as create sharp hazards for swimmers.

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Outdoor Life

Perseid Meteor Shower to Peak Overnight Aug. 12 Into Aug. 13

Day trippin' for Homosassa scallops

What to know before you go

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