Exploring the Outer Banks Oyster Trail

By Megan Nichols on Sep. 03, 2024

Have you ever paused to think about the journey your seafood takes before it reaches your plate? In North Carolina, we’re incredibly lucky to have a vibrant coastline that supplies everything from fresh local fish to oysters raised with care.

As North Carolina natives, we love seafood and feel proud of the exceptional choices our state has to offer. Learning more about the coastal work being done to support ethical, sustainable oyster farming made us especially excited.

If wild oysters were our only option, we’d be limited to enjoying this briny shellfish favorite during fall and winter. Going half the year without oysters would be a terrible thought! Thankfully, attentive oyster farmers help make delicious oysters available throughout the year.

Beyond keeping oysters on the menu year round, oyster farming also supports the environment. This sustainable approach strengthens nearby ecosystems by helping rebuild wild oyster populations and creating protected habitat where other species can flourish.

The Outer Banks of North Carolina provides an ideal setting for oyster cultivation, and we recently had the opportunity to see local oyster farming up close on a tour with Cape Hatteras Oyster Company. Along with several other farms, they put in steady work every day to supply fresh, flavorful oysters to beloved restaurants across the state.

Here are a few The North Carolina Oyster Trail stops worth knowing.

Cape Hatteras Oyster Company

We had the good fortune to see firsthand what daily operations look like at Cape Hatteras Oyster Company. Based on Hatteras Island, the farm raises oysters, hosts tours, and sells oysters both onsite and wholesale. The father-and-son team’s enthusiasm for their work was obvious, and meeting them while learning about sustainable shellfish agriculture was a real pleasure.

Slash Creek Oyster Farm

Slash Creek Oyster Farm is also found on Hatteras Island and offers engaging farm tours where visitors can hear directly from the owners. Spurgeon Stowe is a fifth-generation Hatteras resident with deep knowledge of oyster farming, fishing, and crabbing. On the tour, Spurgeon brings guests into his world through memorable stories from his life as an oyster-growing Hatterasman.

Smith Oyster Company

Smith Oyster Company is located in Nags Head at the well-known Oregon Inlet Fishing Center. The business runs an oyster farm along with a charter boat, allowing guests to visit the farms by water and harvest their own oysters. It’s a fun way to get directly involved and head home with a delicious catch.

The next time you enjoy salty local oysters, you’ll have a better sense of where they started. Consider making time to visit a farm and watch the process unfold in person.

Categories

• Outdoor Enthusiast
• Sustainability
• Culinary

Author

Megan Nichols is the Founder of NC Eat & Play, which reaches 500,000+ followers a day with content that helps locals find great food and activities for sensible budgets and everyday fun. As a chief curator and influencer for North Carolinians, NC Eat & Play showcases and celebrates local businesses and establishments across the state.