Your Holiday Gift Guide Courtesy of the NC Oyster Trail
The winter holidays are the perfect time to enjoy North Carolina oysters. This season is all about connection, celebration, and great food, and nothing brings people together like fresh local oysters. Whether you’re planning a feast, a seasonal outing, or a special gift, the NC Oyster Trail has something for everyone.
Find Fresh Oysters for Your Holiday Table
Herring Shoal Shellfish Co.
Fresh North Carolina oysters are never far away. The NC Oyster Trail features almost 40 seafood markets or oyster delivery options statewide. Here are a few highlights:
Herring Shoal Shellfish Co. – Oyster Delivery from Nags Head, NC
Herring Shoal’s oysters have a unique sweet, grassy finish thanks to the thriving native seagrass surrounding their farm. Text 252-305-5672 or send them a message on Instagram to reserve these showstopping oysters!
Buddy’s Seafood Market – Seafood Market in Mooresville, NC
Buddy’s celebrates North Carolina’s oyster heritage with an exceptional variety, including Stump Sound Oysters, Pamlico Pearls, Carolina Golds, and more!
Washington Crab – Seafood Market & Oyster Delivery from Washington, NC
Serving fresh North Carolina seafood since 1972, Washington Crab supplies fresh oysters through next-day delivery and in-person shopping at their retail location in Washington and several farmers’ markets in the Triangle.
Seaview Crab Co. – Seafood Market at multiple locations in southeastern NC
Open seven days a week, Seaview Crab Co. offers cultured and wild oysters and encourages customers to sample varieties to find the perfect fit for their occasion. Locations include Cameron, Belville, Sanford, and multiple spots in Wilmington.
Gift Unforgettable Coastal Adventures & Treasures
NC Aquarium at Roanoke Island
The NC Oyster Trail isn’t just about food – discover tours, experiences, and gifts that capture the unique allure of coastal North Carolina. Did you know we have over 20 shellfish farm tours and interactive oyster education activities? Consider purchasing a gift card or tour for friends & family!
Science by the Sea – Beaufort, NC
This educator-led company provides private boat tours through the Rachel Carson Reserve. You’ll observe estuarine wildlife (including oysters!) and learn about research and conservation within the Reserve.
NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island – Manteo, NC
Home to over 2,200 animals including sharks, sea turtles, otters, and more, the Aquarium is dedicated to inspiring appreciation and conservation of our aquatic environments. Don’t miss their newest exhibit, “Fish, Filter, Food: The Human-Oyster Connection.”
Coastal Eco Adventures – Wrightsville Beach, NC
Partnering with working watermen and women, these tours explore oyster farms and diverse marine habitats. Try catch-and-release crabbing or pull a seine net if tides allow.
Good Time Charlie’s Fisheries – Engelhard, NC
Join a lifelong commercial fisherman for an immersive oyster harvesting experience surrounded by breathtaking wildlife and remote coastal scenery.
Empty Nest Studio
Oyster Jewelry from Empty Nest Studio – Frisco, NC
Empty Nest Studio crafts one-of-a-kind jewelry using indigenous shells collected along the Outer Banks, then cast in silver, copper, or bronze, and finished with gemstones and pearls to reflect the natural beauty of Hatteras Island.
Get Inspired with a New Oyster Recipe
Oysters Rockefeller – NC Sea Grant
Looking for festive oyster dishes? NC Sea Grant offers a full collection of easy-to-follow recipes featuring local seafood. Some favorites include:
Caribbean-Inspired Oyster Salad
North Carolina oysters shine on their own, but if you’d like to elevate them even further, here are 5 easy sauces to pair with your oysters this season. They range from the classic cocktail sauce to a decadent jalapeno remoulade.
Give Back: Recycle Shells & Restore Wild Reefs
If oysters are part of your holiday celebrations, remember to recycle your shells! Shell recycling is crucial to rebuilding wild oyster reefs by giving juvenile oysters (spat) a place to settle and grow. Eating more oysters = restoring more reefs. It’s a win-win!
Drop-off shell recycling is available at the NC Coastal Federation’s three regional offices in Wilmington, Wanchese, and Newport. Use their interactive map to find the closest shell recycling location near you.
Thank you for supporting North Carolina seafood, coastal education, and our working waterfront communities. We wish you a happy, healthy, and oyster-filled holiday season!
Learn More at NCOysterTrail.org
Stay Connected: Follow us on Instagram and Facebook!
The NC Oyster Trail is administered by:
