There’s nothing better than a good Oyster! Are you a fan of oysters? An oyster connaisseur? A true enthusiast? If that sounds like you, and you’re traveling to the rainy city any time soon, it might be good to know the best oyster farms in Seattle.
So you’ve come here looking for the best oysters in Seattle. We are happy to let you know that you’ve come to the right place.
Below is a list of some of the best oyster farms in and around Seattle. We will give you a short overview of each one, as well as some of the facilities around them.
We have also included a short history of Oysters in Seattle, as well as a Frequently Asked Questions section, to help answer any other questions you might have on this topic!
Let’s get started and explore the best oyster farms in the Seattle area!
Oysters And Seattle
Seattle has a rich history of oyster farming, ever since the first settlers arrived on Puget Sound. The first recorded mention of oysters in Seattle was by Captain George Vancouver who noted them as being plentiful along the shores of Elliott Bay.
The first commercial oyster farm in Seattle was established in 1885 by John H. Williams. The first oyster hatchery was built in 1890 by J.W. Wylie. Today there are over 50 different types of oysters grown commercially in Washington State.
Oysters have been cultivated for thousands of years. They were originally used as food for humans but they also had many other uses including medicinal purposes.
They were eaten raw or cooked and could be made into a variety of dishes such as bread, soups, salads, sauces, etc. In fact, oysters are still consumed in many parts of the world today.
The most common type of oysters found in the Pacific Northwest are the Eastern Olympia Oyster (Crassostrea virginica). These oysters can grow up to 2 inches long and weigh anywhere from 1/4-1 pound. They prefer a sandy bottom and a temperature range between 55F-65F.
There are two main types of oysters that are farmed in the Pacific Northwest: native species and non-native species. Native species include the Olympia Oyster (Crassadostea virginica) and the West Coast Black Mussel (Mytilus edulis).
Non-native species include the European Flat Oyster (Ostrea edulis), the Japanese Blue Spot Oyster (Ostreonax antarcticus), and the American Cockle (Cardium edule).
Each of these varieties is unique in its own way. Some people say that native species taste better than non-native ones. Others claim that non-native species are more tolerant of environmental changes. It all depends on your preference.
The Best Oyster Farms In Seattle
Now that we know some of the history, let’s take a look at the best Oyster Farms in Seattle.
Oysterville Sea Farms
Oysterville Sea Farms is located in Oysterville, WA and is one of the most historic oyster farms on this list. They have a long history of oyster farming and maintain that they catch the freshest, most delicious oysters in this area of the world.
They also have a wide variety of different seafoods, with a market that offers a variety of different types of clams and oysters, all either grown on their farm or purchased close by!
They recommend calling up to make sure they’re open, incase of flooding where they will have to close the farm! Make sure to check ahead so you don’t get disappointed.
Westcott Bay Shellfish Company
This is a farm located in the Friday Harbor area and it’s a great place to come if you’re looking for an impressive store farm and restaurant attached.
This shellfish company have a space on their website where you can make reservations to eat some of the finest oysters caught at their farm.
This farm has its roots in the 70s and prides itself on having a friendly atmosphere that will allow you to experience a slice of life on an oyster farm! They are generally open 12-3pm.
Olympic Peninsula Shellfish Company
This farm specializes in the production of the Olympia Oyster. The farm is located in Sequim, WA. They harvest their oysters from local waters.
They offer fresh oysters daily. They offer both half shell and whole shell and they do not sell frozen oysters. They also have a retail store where you can buy fresh oysters.
Seacrest Oyster Farm
Seacrest Oyster Farm is located in Tumwater, WA. They specialize primarily in the production of the Western Washington Black Mussel.
They are open Monday through Friday from 10am-6pm and Saturday from 9am-5pm. They do not sell any live oysters. You must call ahead to set an appointment to pick up oysters. They do offer half shell and whole shells, which means you’ll get a lot of variety here!
Goosepoint Oystery
Goosepoint Oistery is located in Bay Center, WA and is a family farm that goes back to 1975! This is a big farm with a lot of employers – if you want to see something large-scale and impressive, but still with a sense of a family connected to the bay area, then this might be the oyster farm for you!
You can choose any day of the week to visit there, because they are open 10am-5pm every single day!
Bay Center Farm
Bay Center Farm is located in Bay Center, WA. This company sets its roots in the rich history of oyster farming that has been around the Willapa area for over 150 years.
One look at the product catelogue on their website is enough to show you the variety of different oysters they have available, as well as the history this company has in both fishing and oyster farming. This farm is closed on the weekend but open 10am-4pm every other day!
Taylor Shellfish Farms
Taylor Shellfish farms is located in Shelton, WA. They specialize solely in the production of American Cockles. They harvest their cockles from local waters.
They provide half-shell and whole-shell options but do not sell oysters live. They do however offer delivery services. They are open Monday thru Thursday from 8am-5pm.
Trident Seafoods
Trident Seafoods is located near Bellingham, WA. They specialize exclusively in the production of the Japanese Blue Spot Oysters. They harvest their oysters from local waters.
They only sell frozen and canned oysters, which can be ordered by phone. They are open Monday, Tuesday, and Friday from 7am-9pm.
Travelling And Accommodation
So you’ve selected the oyster farm that you would like to visit, but you need to plan out how you will get there, the kind of accommodation you will need so that you can stay near it.
When booking accommodation for these oyster farms within the Seattle area, we recommend that you keep a few things in mind, firstly, what type of accommodation are you looking for? Will you be staying at a hotel or hostel? Or perhaps you’re more interested in a B&B or self-catering apartment?
Secondly, what budget are you working with? Lastly, when planning your trip, consider if you want to travel alone, with friends or family. There are many different factors that could influence this decision.
For example, if you are traveling on a tight schedule then you may find that it makes sense to book accommodation close to your destination. If you are going away for longer than a week or two then you might prefer to look into booking a room or apartment closer to home.
Finally, think about where you want to eat while you are visiting the oyster farms. Are you going to have breakfast, lunch, or dinner at the farm itself?
Or maybe you’d rather eat at one of the restaurants nearby? This is something that you’ll have to decide before booking your accommodation as some places won’t allow food
You can easily check for facilities and accommodation on websites such as TripAdvisor.This is a great way to plan your trip ahead of time, but also to see what previous customers have to stay about specific locations and facilities.
Final Thoughts
There you have it! Above are the 8 best oyster farms that we could find around the Seattle area. Any or all of these will be a great trip for the common oyster enthusiast, and we hope that we have given you some great ideas for future trips.
We always recommend checking dates, times, and logistics before committing to any trip, so that you don’t get surprised or disappointed once you show up!
Below is a short FAQ section that we have created to answer any leftover questions that you might have! We wish you the best on your oyster farm trip!
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does An Oyster Cost?
The price of an oyster varies depending on the size, location, season, and availability. The average price per dozen (12) raw oysters range between $6-$10 USD.
However, prices can vary greatly depending on where you buy them from. You should expect to pay anywhere from $1-$20 USD per dozen.
Where Can I Buy Oysters?
If you’re looking for fresh oysters in the Seattle area, you can purchase them directly from the farmers who grow them. Most of the top oyster farms offer tours and tastings which means that you can try their oysters without having to fork over too much money.
If you’d rather not deal with the hassle of finding the right farmer, you can also find oysters online.
What Do I Need To Know Before Buying Oysters?
It’s important to note that the taste of oysters changes based on the water they are grown in. So, if you live near a river, lake, or ocean, you’ll likely enjoy a better-tasting oyster than someone living inland.
Also, remember that the colder the temperature, the more flavor the oysters will have. So, if you’re planning on eating oysters during the winter months, make sure that you pick them up early in the day when temperatures are still relatively warm.
Lastly, keep in mind that oysters can only be eaten raw. They must be served immediately after being shucked. Otherwise, they will begin to spoil quickly.
What Is A Good Seafood Restaurant In Seattle?
One of the best seafood restaurants in Seattle is the famous Pike Place Market. There are plenty of other options available throughout the city as well. If you’re looking to dine out, there are many restaurants that specialize in seafood.
Are East Coast Oysters Good?
East Coast oysters tend to be larger and sweeter than West coast oysters. They are generally considered to have a stronger flavor. However, this doesn’t mean that they aren’t delicious. If you like sweet flavors, then you may prefer east coast oysters.
Where Are The Best Places For Oysters In North America?
Oysters are native to the Pacific Northwest. This region has been producing oysters since the time of the first European settlers. Today,
Washington State produces about 75% of the world’s production of oysters. Oregon, Alaska, Canada, and California are also major producers of oysters.
