The North Carolina Oyster Trail offers unique and tasty adventures:

Tour a working shellfish farm.
Do you know where your seafood comes from? Hop on a boat and learn how we grow oysters in North Carolina. Smell that salt breeze while you slurp down some of the most sustainable seafood on the planet.
Savor the coast’s distinct flavors.
Are you a fan of local foods? Taste our homegrown oyster rainbow — salty, sweet, and buttery shellfish. You can purchase our state’s oysters at a variety of markets and restaurants on the coast and inland, all featured on the NC Oyster Trail.
Discover the truth about local oysters.
Did you know N.C. oysters are available year-round? Wild oyster season starts October 15 but farmed oysters make it possible for you to enjoy oysters anytime. Get educated on how you can support a healthy coast and bountiful seafood for years to come.

What are you waiting for?

Explore trail map

Recent News…

News

Expansion for Artificial Reef in the Cape Fear River

The North Carolina Coastal Federation and the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) have added four additional acres to the existing oyster and recreational fishing inshore reef near the banks of Carolina Beach State Park.

News

This Royster studies oysters

Doctoral student Nick Funnell’s fieldwork focuses on shellfish important to the state’s economy and ecology.

News

Oyster Photo Exhibit Available For Your Community

North Carolina Sea Grant and the NC Oyster Trail have teamed up on an oyster photo exhibit to showcase the folks behind the shellfish grown in our state.

ABOUT

The NC Oyster Trail is a grassroots effort from people who love our state’s oysters.

Our mission is to provide experiences that help sustain and grow N.C. oysters, resulting in economic, environmental and social benefits to the state’s seafood industry and coastal communities.

If you’d like to offer an oyster experience through our Trail Map, become a member today.

Become a member.

If you’d like to support the NC Oyster Trail with a tax-deductible donation, become a friend today.

Become a friend.

Thank You Friends of the Trail!

Discover Carolina Charm & Coastal Culture in Wilmington

The North Carolina Coastal Federation and North Carolina Sea Grant, in partnership with the North Carolina Shellfish Growers Association, administer the NC Oyster Trail.

NC Oyster Trail

CONTACT US

For more information, contact the North Carolina Coastal Federation at oysters@nccoast.org. Visit ncoysters.org to learn about statewide efforts to restore oyster populations and protect our coast.

Want to receive periodic NC Oyster Trail news? Sign up here.

Want to support the NC Oyster Trail? Become a friend.