The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Reef Rangers hold the first Pensacola Lionfish Invitational this weekend, a spearfishing tournament aimed at the invasive lionfish on Gulf reefs. Divers bring their catch to the drop-off station at Plaza de Luna on Saturday from 12 PM to 6 PM and on Sunday from 7 AM to 10 AM. The festival runs Saturday from 10 AM to 6 PM and Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM, with the Lionfish Challenge winners crowned at 1 PM Sunday and the raffle and awards from 3 PM to 5 PM.
Before you go
- Head to Plaza de Luna at 900 S Palafox Street during festival hours.
- Come Saturday between 12 PM and 6 PM to see the day's lionfish arrive at the drop-off station.
- Come back Sunday at 1 PM for the Lionfish Challenge winners and at 3 PM for the raffle and awards.
What we checked, and when
Read off the venue's own page on 2026-09-26.
FWC's tournament page lists diver entry at $100, or $75 for Lionfish Challenge participants, but does not publish a price for festival visitors.
Not confirmed: The price. The venue publishes none, so neither do we.
FWC's page places the cooler drop-off station at Plaza de Luna and does not print a separate address for the festival.