Stuart Scuba’s Annual Lionfish Derby 

Benjamin was stung by a Lionfish— and let’s just say, now it’s personal.

Join Stuart Scuba for the Sting Against the Machine: The Stingback Tournament, our annual lionfish derby dedicated to removing invasive lionfish from Florida reefs, having a blast on the water, and giving Benjamin a little well-earned revenge.

This one-day lionfish tournament will feature two boat trips, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, giving divers multiple chances to hunt invasive lionfish, compete for prizes, show off their team spirit, and be part of a fun conservation-focused dive event.

Whether you’re coming to compete, cheer on your favorite dive buddy, dress up, name your team something ridiculous, or just help protect our local reefs, this is going to be one of Stuart Scuba’s most fun dive events of the year.

Event Details

Event Name: Sting Against the Machine: The Stingback Tournament
Hosted By: Stuart Scuba
Event Type:  Annual Lionfish Derby
Trips: Morning boat and afternoon boat
Location: Stuart Scuba / local Florida dive sites
Activities: Lionfish hunting, prizes, games, team contests, and more

Help Remove Invasive Lionfish from Florida Reefs

Lionfish may look beautiful, but they are an invasive species in Florida waters and can have a major impact on native reef fish populations. This derby is all about combining fun, competition, and conservation by giving divers a reason to get out on the water and help remove lionfish from our local reefs.

And after Benjamin’s recent lionfish sting, this year’s derby has a little extra motivation.

Prize Categories

We’ll have prizes, games, bragging rights, and plenty of reasons to get competitive. Prize categories will include:

Largest Lionfish
Most Lionfish per Individual
Most Lionfish per Two-Person Team
Most Creative Team Name
Best Dressed Diver
Cutest Dive Couple
And more surprises throughout the day

Come ready to dive, compete, laugh, and celebrate with the Stuart Scuba community.

Two Trips: Morning and Afternoon Boats

To make the most of the day, we’ll be running two lionfish derby boat trips on June 6:

Morning Boat — Get out early and start the hunt.
Afternoon Boat — Another chance to compete, collect lionfish, and join the fun.

Divers can join one trip or make a full day of it, depending on availability. Spots are expected to fill, so early registration is recommended.

Why Join the Lionfish Derby?

Sting Against the Machine is more than just a tournament. It’s a chance to support reef conservation, enjoy a great day of diving, and be part of Stuart Scuba history as we launch our first annual lionfish derby.

You’ll get a day packed with:

Fun competition
Local diving
Invasive species removal
Prizes and games
Team spirit
Photo-worthy moments
A very personal mission for Benjamin

Register for Sting Against the Machine

Grab your dive buddy, come up with a team name, and get ready for Stuart Scuba’s 1st Annual Lionfish Derby.

Space is limited, and we love this Stuart Scuba tradition.

Call Stuart Scuba or stop by the shop to reserve your spot.