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Exploring Prince Edward Island’s Unbeatable Oyster Scene

By Christian Allaire

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On a rainy afternoon on Prince Edward Island, it’s business as usual at the North Rustico harbor. Fishing boats sway back and forth in the water, parked in front of multicolored shacks and lobster cages. At Doiron Fisheries, fresh oysters, lobsters, and fish are being sold for the day. Just next to the North Rustico Lighthouse, built in 1876, you’ll find the home of Captain Emard Court, a retired fisherman turned local celebrity with a long, white, wispy beard, whom tourists love to snap photos of while he sits on his veranda. The picturesque setting represents what makes this Canadian province unique: It’s both nostalgic and simple, blessed with a booming shellfish industry.

If you’re an oyster enthusiast, chances are you’ve seen a Prince Edward Island oyster on a few menus. Dubbed Canada’s food island, PEI is known for its red sand beaches and historic lighthouses, but it’s also one of the country’s biggest oyster producers, exporting to major markets across North America and Asia. Visit the island itself, though, and you’ll find a number of unique oyster bars and restaurants of its own, from seaside patios in the summer to trendy hot spots in downtown Charlottetown, its capital city.

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Its excellence in oysters stems from the region’s abundance of bays filled with cold, nutrient-rich waters, a climate that allows the province to harvest over 8 million pounds of oysters every year (roughly $13 million in revenue). “We have excellent conditions for growing them,” says Alan McIsaac, the province’s minister of agriculture and fisheries. “Each of the bays have their unique colors—ranging from oyster shells that are gray and greenish to black—and they all have unique tastes as well. You can go around the whole island and try them.”

The tranquil waters surrounding the island are constantly abuzz with fishing barges. Currently, there are around 500 active fisherman on the island, as well as 17 different oyster processors. And the number is only growing. The result is a wide range of different oyster brands to try, including the popular Raspberry Point oyster, or the Malpeque oyster sourced from Malpeque Bay, the province’s most in-demand brand thanks to its perfect balance of sweet and briny flavoring.

An oyster’s journey from the water to your table is a long one. On the island, there are two types of harvesting. The first is wild fishing, which occurs every fall and spring. Fishermen scoop up oysters from the bottom of bays via tongs, and then regulate and sell them to local distributors. The second, and more lucrative method, is farming, where distributors grow oyster larvae in climate-controlled cages or mesh trays. This process takes much longer—a minimum of three years—but produces the top-grade, or “choice,” oysters, which are round and deep. “It’s a slow, multilayered process, but it’s guaranteed to be a more beautiful product,” says Robert Pendergast, a local chef and oyster shucker.

Another speciality on the island is year-round oyster farming. Though a common myth is that oysters are best caught in the late fall or early spring, certain distributors have found success in winter harvests, a season usually avoided due to its harsh conditions. James Power, manager for Raspberry Point Oyster Company, casts the brand’s cages in New-London Bay in the fall, and then lifts them out once the ice freezes, a labor-intensive feat that just may unveil prize oysters underneath. “Most people like a fat oyster. As the water gets colder, oysters will put on fat to live off in the winter,” Power explains. “But as far as taste goes, that’s more personal. You can still have a fat oyster in the spring with a lot less salt. In the summer, you can get a really salty oyster with thinner meat.”

Below, explore eight must-visit spots for oysters on Prince Edward Island.

1. Blue Mussel Café Located in North Rustico, Blue Mussel Café is a seasonal seafood restaurant that sits on the community harbor (with outdoor seating views, too). The restaurant, open from May to October, specifically serves Daisy Bay Oysters, which are farmed oysters grown in Rustico. One dozen oysters, $28.

2. Malpeque Oyster Barn Long regarded as one of the most popular and favorable in the world, Malpeque oysters are the house specialty at this tiny wooden shack. Malpeque Oyster Barn is located on the wharf at Malpeque Bay, and serves its oysters in a variety of ways: small choice, large choice, or pan-fried. One dozen large choice, $30.

3. The Inn at Bay Fortune Michael Smith, one of Canada’s best-known chefs, delivers a seasonal, organic prix fixe menu at The Inn at Bay Fortune’s restaurant, FireWorks. Every night, an all-you-can-eat oyster hour is offered, where guests are invited to watch as Colville Bay and Fortune Bay oysters are shucked fresh. $125 per person.

4. Carr’s Oyster Bar Carr’s Oyster Bar is a seasonal oyster bar located in the beautiful Stanley Bridge area (complete with an ideal outdoor patio). The oysters here are available in a small or large choice variety, as well as raw, steamed, fried, or baked. Specialties, such as a fried oyster sandwich, are also available. Large raw choice oyster, $4.

5. Claddagh Oyster House Found in downtown Charlottetown, Claddagh Oyster House offers a warm, pub-like setting with upscale fare. In addition to a selection of raw oysters, the restaurant offers specialties such as oysters Rockefeller ($18), which features fresh Malpeque oysters topped with fennel-bacon cream, spinach, and parmesan.

6. Merchantman Merchantman Fresh Seafood & Oyster Bar is a trendy hot spot in downtown Charlottetown (and just steps away from the city’s main attractions, too). A selection of local oyster brands are shucked and served with shredded horseradish root. Raw oyster, $3; baked oyster, $4.

7. Point Prim Chowder House This rustic eatery and oyster bar is all about the views. Open June through September, it’s known for its raw oyster selection, homemade chowders, and stunning oceanfront real estate. It’s also located right beside the Point Prim Lighthouse, the island’s oldest, built in 1845.

8. Sims Corner Steakhouse and Oyster Bar Located in Charlottetown, Sims Corner Steakhouse and Oyster Bar offers a large selection of oysters from different bays and coves on the island. The dinner menu also includes fresh shellfish such as scallops, mussels, lobster, and more. Raw oyster, $3; baked oyster, $4.

Oysters don’t have to be the only thing you do in PEI. When you’ve had your fill of mollusks and mignonette, find entertainment with a few of the following activities:

What to Do: Prince Edward Island served as the setting for Anne of Green Gables , the 1908 novel by Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery, who was born on the island. Be sure to take in Anne of Green Gables: The Musical at Charlottetown’s Confederation Center of the Arts , or visit the Green Gables in Cavendish, the fictional home and grounds based on the popular book. For a stunning nature experience, walk the National Park’s floating boardwalk in Greenwich, and then rent a car to explore the island’s many historic lighthouses (there are 63 in total). Don’t forget a stroll down Charlottetown’s Main Street.

Where to Shop: If you’re in the market for new eyewear or sunglasses, look no further than Fellow Earthlings , a local eyewear brand that produces all of its spunky styles on the island. Founded by Chris and Sydney Seggie, the brand has a studio in Guernsey Cove, and even counts Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as a fan. (Fun fact: the brand also made the eyewear for Anna Sui’s Spring ’18 show at New York Fashion Week.) Another must-stop shop is The Dunes Studio Gallery and Café near Brackley Beach—an eclectic furniture store, art gallery, and café all in one. If you’re a vintage fanatic, you can’t miss out on a visit to Value Village, a local favorite. After perusing the retro band T-shirts, leather jackets, and Levi’s jeans, you can score fun costume jewelry for next to nothing.

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Shuck and Learn

Are you ready for a truly unique and immersive experience that combines learning with delicious, fresh oysters? Look no further than our Raspberry Point Oyster Shuck & Learn Experience! You’ll be taken on a journey to discover the fascinating world of oyster farming, from the growth and harvesting process to the art of shucking. You’ll get to taste the freshest oysters right out of the ocean and learn about their distinctive flavors.

With knowledgeable guides leading the way, this is an opportunity to explore the captivating world of oyster culture in Prince Edward Island. Get ready to indulge your taste buds and explore a new world of seafood with Raspberry Point Oysters!

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Tong & Shuck

Duration: 2.5 hours

Location: Cardigan / Points East Coastal Drive

Min 2 - Max 8 ppl

Minimum 2 - Maximum 8 June - October | Mon - Sat at 5:00 pm and Sun at 12:00 pm Only available for people over the age of 12. We can’t accept bookings for only 1 person unless we have other bookings. Contact Us for more info on single bookings.

What to Expect

Where to meet, eat as many fresh oysters as you’d like while learning how islanders tong and shuck them..

• Meet local fisherman Jim Conohan of Along the Edge Experiences ,and hear the tales of his life on the sea.
• Jim will show you how to tong for oysters with a demonstration that takes place in an oyster dory affixed to the deck.
• Learn about the growth and life cycle of PEI oysters and the proper size for harvest.
• The experience includes oysters + dessert + water.

Bookings need to be made 24 hours in advance of the desired date in order to guarantee a spot.

A minimum of 2 people must book in order for this experience to take place.

All oysters must be consumed on the premise. Oysters cannot be taken home with you.

Only participants with tickets are allowed on the property.

For safety reasons, the experience takes place on shore, but you can still try the traditional tongs used to scoop up oysters from the deck. Jim will show you how to properly shuck so you can try yourself and of course, eat as many as you want! Top it all off with a dessert to end the experience.

​ Water will be provided with the meal but you are welcome to bring your own juice or soft drink if you like.

When you arrive Park close to the house. Jim or Gen will come out to greet you.

Don’t forget to dress for the weather It’s always good to plan ahead. Check it out for the day of your tour.

Jim’s property is pretty rustic so we recommend you wear comfortable clothing you don’t mind getting a little dirty. A hat is always recommended.

Bug spray or long sleeve shirts and pants are recommended for the evening tours as it tends to get pretty buggy that time of day.

There is parking available on site. Please note the road to Jim's house is a dirt road. The location is best found if you search 106 Dockendorff Lane, Cardigan. However, the road is now called Campbell's Country Lane. On a map find Route 4 & 311 intersection at Primrose, near Cardigan. On 311 pass big church. Watch for Experience PEI sign on left. We encourage you to take a screenshot of the map as reception is hit or miss int hat area.

Have questions? Here's the most frequently asked.

Is there parking available.

Parking is available. After you purchase tickets, you’ll receive emails with meeting points and parking options in the area.

Do I need to purchase tickets in advance?

Yes, advance ticket purchase is required. Events typically sell out quickly. To maximize your chances of getting the date, time, and number of tickets you prefer, please book well in advance.

What do we do in case of bad weather?

The tours are held rain, shine, or snow. We advise to check the weather conditions for your days event and dress appropriately. In the event of inclement weather, we will contact you to discuss options.

Are masks required?

We recommend masks be worn while moving around. Once seated, masks can be removed.

What if I have dietary restrictions or allergies?

Please be sure and let us know if you (or anyone in your group) has a dietary restriction (e.g. vegetarian, diabetic, allergy, etc.) when you purchase your tickets. As long as we know in advance, we can try and accommodate your needs.

Still have questions?    Visit our FAQ page to submit your own

"The seafood (oysters and quahogs) we enjoyed was some of the freshest and most delicious shellfish we have ever had."

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Island Walk Coordination Services

 |   Full Service: Full Walk $1000, Full Service: Half Walk 750, Full Service Partial Walk $500, Self Service: Full Walk $750, Self Service: Half Walk $500, Self Service Partial Walk $350

Discovery Hunt – Charlottetown

3 hours |   Group $35

Discovery Hunt – Central

4 hours |   Group $35

Discovery Hunt – East

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Taste the Town Food + Fact Tour

3.5 hours |   Admission $89/pp

2 hours |   General Admission  $100/pp, Additional guests $50/pp, Family Rate $300

2.5 hours |   Per Person $130

2.5 hours |   Surf $130, Kids Surf  $80, Turf $110, Kids Turf $50, Additional Lobster $30, Children Under 3 $0

2.5 hours |   Surf $130, Kids Surf $65, Turf $110, Kids Turf $50, Add a lobster $30, Children under 3 $0

2 hours |   2-3 people $75/pp, 4-6 people $60/pp, 7-10 people $45/pp

5 hours  |   1 person $175 + HST, 2-6 persons $150 + HST

2 hours |   Group Admission $200 + HST, Additional guests $20 + HST

2 hours |   2-4 people $75/pp, 5-10 people $60/pp

2.5 hours |   Admission  $95/pp

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Beauty and Brine: Prince Edward Island Is an Oyster-Lover’s Paradise

By Chantal Martineau

This article is part of a series on Canadian food and travel , with support from Destination Canada.

Down a dirt road lined with potato fields and farmhouses hung with brightly painted buoys, you’ll find the most charming seafood restaurant on Prince Edward Island. And that’s saying a lot because the island traffics almost exclusively in charming seafood restaurants.

This one sits on the rocky shore of a sand beach, some 40 minutes from Charlottetown, the capital. Its closest neighbor is the oldest lighthouse on PEI: a red-roofed tower of blinding white perched on an emerald hill at the tip of a skinny peninsula jutting out from the island’s backside like a tail. For the full effect, my family and I sat at one of the picnic tables at the edge of the water, the blues of sea and sky somehow boosted by a beach the color of persimmon.

Descriptions of PEI are always colorful. Red dirt, green pastures, the red hair of its most famous character, Anne of Green Gables (who, like all good Canadian girls, I grew up idolizing). Set against such a dazzling background, the food at Point Prim Chowder house didn’t have to be as good as it was. I’d have been charmed anyway. But it was good—in a way that was uncomplicated, almost anti-trendy. Just wholesome down-home Maritime good.

“Lots of places with a location like this, they don’t focus on the food,” owner Paul Lavender, who helms the kitchen 110 days a year, likes to say. (He closes in the off-season, as most establishments do.) “But we want to match that view.”

Oysters served on seaweed at Point Prim Chowder house.

The sun took its sweet time sinking toward the horizon, and we did too. We lingered over plump mussels in a lemon-cream broth, jumbo quahog clams swimming in a generously packed chowder, and the sort of seafood linguine you might find in a red sauce joint, only made with fish so fresh and springy it was almost a shame to smother it in buttery pink sauce—almost. Finnan haddie, a cold-smoked haddock, gave the dish surprising depth. Like so many charming seafood restaurants on PEI, Point Prim serves its own oysters. Plucked from nearby Pinette River, they’re full of briny liquor, as the liquid is called, with a hint of sweetness in the fattiest part of the meat. You can only get them here and from the fisher who tongs them.

I’d come to PEI with the intention of eating fresh seafood everyday (mission accomplished) and slurping oysters until I really got to know them. Like cru wines, oysters are said to taste of their place. Malpeques, PEI’s most famous local variety, are found on menus from New York to Beijing. But here, where every oyster is a Malpeque, bivalves are known by their waters: Colville Bay, East Point, Savage Harbour. Freshwater influence might impart sweetness; certain algae can lend a little tang. Some companies brand their oysters based on appearance: black-and-white Tuxedos, green-tinted Lucky Limes.

Valley Pearl Oysters aplenty.

“Chefs are always asking me to describe the flavor profile of our oysters,” said Jeff Noye, co-owner of Valley Pearl Oysters in Tyne Valley, a 300-strong community on the west side of the island. “You mean, what they taste like this week ?” A heavy rain can cut their salinity. When they gorge themselves before winter’s hibernation, their meat is plentiful and creamy. They emerge in May famished, their flesh thin. It’s the only month Noye likely won’t ship them.

Noye and his partner, Damien Enman, source wild-caught oysters from local fishers and farm their own, shipping directly to restaurants like Joe Beef in Montreal. They started the business in 2017, along with a no-frills oyster bar above the processing plant.

When I visited, bearded and round-bellied Noye was holding court, dropping pearls of wisdom about the bivalves’ delicate biology. He’s a member of the team that holds the Guinness World Record for most oysters shucked in an hour (8,840). He also happens to be mayor of Tyne Valley. Running the annual Oyster Festival , which attracts some 20,000 visitors each August, basically got him elected.

“Ten years ago people weren’t eating raw oysters on the island,” he said, working his knife into a shell’s hinge and twisting until it popped. Enman, a second-generation oyster fisher, clarified: “Everyone fished them. But it wasn’t big business like now.”

The view from Point Prim.

People don’t just want to eat PEI oysters, they want to slurp them at the source. Wade into the brackish, bracing waters that feed them. (Immaculate bays and estuaries with just the right amount of salinity breed beautiful oysters, which, in turn, keep the waters pristine. Is there a more perfect circle?) Noye started offering an oyster-tonging experience, but the demand quickly overwhelmed him. He let me tag along to his farm, where we stood knee-high in water, pants rolled up. Noye plunged his hands into what felt like bathwater. It was shallow, but his hands went deep into soft red sand. They emerged filled with oysters.

My quest to really get to know oysters was only slightly marred by my five-year-old, who discovered she had a taste for them. Now I had to share. She ate them as a child would, loudly slurping the liquor, chewing the meat, and licking the pearlescent shell, exclaiming, “Tastes like the sea!” No mignonette or seafood sauce. Turns out, hers is the experts’ way (minus the licking). It’s a myth that you should swallow without biting; the flesh is where the sweetness is. And, as Noye put it, sauce is for tourists. Real oyster folk slurp naked.

PEI is tiny, accounting for just 0.1 percent of Canada. But it punches above its weight, providing a quarter of the country’s potatoes and oysters, 80 percent of mussels. Fisheries and farms dot the island, but each region has its own identity. The west is wild, remote. The east has a New England feel—quaint beach towns and elegant properties, like The Inn at Bay Fortune . Once an artists’ colony favored by Broadway and silent film actors, it’s now owned by a celebrity chef and his wife Chastity. Michael Smith, who headed the kitchen in the ’90s, bought and renovated the inn in 2015, replacing fussy tasting menus with the FireWorks Feast, a dinner cooked over open flame.

The Inn at Bay Fortune hosts the FireWorks Feast, a dinner cooked over open flame.

Despite the gimmicky name, the feast offers a rare modern take on the local cuisine. It begins with a tour of the inn’s farm followed by an all-you-can-eat oyster happy hour featuring sweet-salty Fortune Bays and saltier Colville Bays from literally the bay next door. At communal tables, greens and grains from the farm and surroundings make startling appearances, like a delightful chowder sprinkled with beach wort, a sort of Maritime purslane. Before the sit-down portion of the meal starts, the sous-chef makes a toast that feels more like grace, offering thanks for the oyster fisher and solemnly saluting the flags of Canada, PEI, Acadia, and the Mi’kmaq, once the island’s sole inhabitants.

The most scenic route from east to west is the coastal drive through PEI National Park. Flanked by pines interrupted only by campsites and cottages for rent, the road overlooks white sand beaches and brick-red eroded cliffs, sand dunes and salt marshes. At one point I spotted kids sitting on the guardrail next to the causeway. One jumped right off [Ed note: This is illegal!] and landed in the cool blue waters below, his friends cheering.

A pretty perfect lobster roll from Richard's Fresh Seafood.

This was the turnoff for Richard’s Fresh Seafood , a fish shack with a queue that snakes on for at least an hour. “It’s basically an entire lobster on a bun,” the woman in front of me said of the lobster roll, as if to appease me. She wasn’t lying. The lightly toasted buttered roll could barely contain all the pink meat slicked in lemony mayo. Fish and chips were also generous, with enough breaded fresh haddock to feed a small family.

The next day we were on the east side of Malpeque Bay, where Randy and Terry Oatway opened a fish market and pottery studio 20 years ago. Customers came to the Malpeque Oyster Barn for the mollusks more than the crafts, so the couple decided to replace the pottery with a restaurant. Their son, Daniel, a champion shucker, was behind the bar, prying open oysters he’d likely tonged himself. When we bit into them, they ruptured with crisp saltiness.

“You can only get our oysters here,” he said, pointing out the window: “From right over there.”

It seems as though most of the work in oystering is Mother Nature’s. But PEI’s boutique oyster sellers pride themselves on personally handling each shell. Depending on how rough the water is, the oysters are brought in once or twice a year to be tumbled, like clothes in the dryer, to encourage a round, deep shape. Wild-caught oysters go through rigorous selection, first in the water and again in the processing plant. It’s work that goes unseen, not that anyone makes a fuss about it.

“You can’t offend oyster people,” Noye was saying above the din of the crowd at his bar. He was talking about the fearlessness associated with fishing, shucking, even eating these strange seabed dwellers. But it got me thinking of the raw oyster as great equalizer: The most skilled chef in the world can’t improve upon it. There’s something humbling—and totally romantic—about that.

So pretty it almost doesn't look real.

The tiny island province has so much to offer, and manages to pack just about all of it into an extended summer season. PEI comes to life in May and starts to quiet down again in October, when many restaurants and guesthouses shut down for the season. It’s a good idea to start planning your 2020 trip now—accommodations book up quickly and the island’s many return visitors are already wise to that fact.

Point Prim Chowder house

This isolated seaside restaurant overlooks a red sand beach and PEI’s oldest lighthouse. Order the house oysters, any of the signature chowders, and mussels in broth for a bivalve bonanza.

2150 Point Prim Rd., Belfast, PEI; open mid-June through September 30

Valley Pearl Oysters

Specializing in local wild-caught and cultivated oysters, this boutique wholesaler has a friendly oyster bar upstairs with live music. It also offers tonging tours, depending on availability.

1323 Port Hill Station Rd., Tyne Valley, PEI; 902-439-1716

Oysters on the grill at The Inn at Bay Fortune.

The Inn at Bay Fortune

Built as a summer home for a Broadway playwright in 1913, this 17-room inn was most recently renovated in 2015 but retains its weathered shingles and salt-box style main house overlooking the water.

758 Route 310, Fortune Bridge, PEI; 902-687-3745; open mid-May through mid-October

Richard’s Fresh Seafood

This unassuming seaside fish shack has a perpetual hour-long queue and a reputation for the most lobster-stuffed lobster rolls around. It also does a mean fish and chips.

9 Wharf Rd., Covehead, PEI; open June 1–mid-September

Malpeque Oyster Barn

Located on the bay that gives PEI oysters their name, this spot opened up as a fish market and a cozy restaurant soon followed. Raw house oysters are the way to go, but all the mollusks—mussels, quahogs, littlenecks—shine.

10 Malpeque Wharf Rd., Kensington, PEI; 902-836-3999; open mid-June through September 10

This past July, our family spent two amazing days with John. We highly enjoyed the Oyster farm... read more

Oyster Tour

Had a fantastic experience with John on this tour. My son loves oysters and this acrivity was the focus of our trip. Liked how we went from the history, to current production and was really impressed with the hospitality of the Hardy family. The young lady who helped with the tour was fantastic as well. This tour is a must if you enjoy shellfish and the ocean.

You and your young son's enjoyment was more than evident! Undoubtedly your son was the youngest visitor to date and may have even broken the record for number of oysters eaten on a tour - not to mention the huge "quahog" clam that the Hardy family loved seeing him eat right there on the spot. This seemed to be a great father / son activity that you both enjoyed to the max. Thank you for sharing this!

We didn't know exactly what to expect when we inquired about the Oyster experience, but as soon as John got back to me, I knew we were in for an amazing experience and he did not disappoint. We spent some time at the Oyster and Shellfish Museum learning about oysters and then off to a real working oyster operation. We got to see every aspect of raising oysters and meet many of the Hardy family that own it and eat fresh oysters right out of the bay all along the way! John was a great guide as he introduced us to life on an oyster farm in PEI. It was an experience we won't soon forget. I would caution taking young children since you are very near working equipment and the water and the subject matter may not hold their interest, but for us, we loved it. When I eat oysters, I will now appreciate the hard work that goes into bringing them to my table.

Thank you for your response. Your eager desire to learn was appreciated. Some of the "engineering" ideas shared w/ the Hardy's were indeed intriguing. Nothing like a look at things from a different lens. Your enjoyment of the oysters was also evident. I hope the Woolen Mill visit and the Trout fishing the next day were also successful ventures for both of you!

My family of 5 spent a wonderful afternoon with John at West Point. We met John, and a lovely retired fisherman named Oliver at a harbour where the fishing boats come in. After a brief meet and greet, we saw the boats come in with their catch and got to meet some of the fishermen as they unloaded their ultra fresh lobster, and even got a brief lesson on how to tell the difference between the male and female lobsters, as well as how to put a lobster to sleep!! After securing our dinner for the evening, we followed John down to the beach where he set up our evening feast - fresh lobster, fresh organic green salad, potato salad, fresh rolls and a tasty blueberry pie for dessert - all served on a lobster trap which doubled as a makeshift table. The children really enjoyed following along as John instructed us on how to get the lobster out of the shell. We spent a few hours chatting with our bellies full and our toes in the sand as the kids splashed in the water and refused to come out, even when it was time to go. John is very friendly and down to earth, has a wealth of island knowledge and is very willing to share it. We can't say enough about how great of an experience this was, but when we asked our kids what their favourite part of the trip was - they said Lobster on the Beach without hesitation. Definitely a memorable experience which I would recommend to anyone visiting the island!!!

While waiting for our plane home we enjoy the day taking in the fresh air, ice cream and last minute gifts. It is just beautiful in PEI too bad it is expensive to fly in our own country !

We had a wonderful time clam digging. Our instructor was well-versed in the culture of Pei and very knowledgeable regarding clam digging. He was attentive to children and answered all questions. We did not feel rushed at any time and the lunch he cooked was excellent!! Very enjoyable experience!

This is the highlight of our PEI trip. After trying to make reservations for a different clam dig experience, I did a search and found PEI Coastal, am I glad that I did. A day with John clam digging! We walked barefoot and found quahog clams, did some digging for soft shell clams and found some razor clams and periwinkles (snails) too! The girls (15yrs & 12 yrs) found a few tiny starfish to take home as well. After all that work John cooked it all up for a fantastic dinner. A beautiful mixed green salad with fresh herbs & home made dressing, bakery rolls and a local blueberry pie for dessert! There was an oyster farm on one side, the warmer side...and a mussels farm on the other. We stopped and talked to a fisherman that was getting ready to set his eel traps! An absolute awesome day! John really takes the time to get to know and spend time with each individual - there is no way you would get this type of experience with a bigger tour. John was very informative without it being boring. We had a small group - our family of 4 and another couple. I like the personal experience and cannot recommend this afternoon with John more highly!

Thank you so much for your kind words. Making memories with you and your family is important to me and to have your expression of appreciation tops off the whole experience. It was a great afternoon for sure.

Check out our interactive Oyster Map & Guide!

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Prince edward island mussels & oysters.

Sustainable. World-Renowned. As Nature Intended.

Love ordering mussels and oysters when you’re dining out, but find the idea of preparing them yourself a little intimidating? We hear you and we got you.

Here at The Social Shell, you’ll find easy, flavourful recipes and pro tips that’ll have you shucking, debearding, and serving up a feed of mussels and oysters in no time!

Wondering how we know so much about these gems of the sea?

Well, here on Prince Edward Island, Canada’s Food Island, we’ve been sharing our world-famous mussels and oysters for over two centuries!  The Social Shell is where we celebrate what makes our PEI oysters and mussels so spe-shell.  We hope you’ll join the fun and help us shell-ebrate the  tastiest oysters and mussels in the world!

Mussels for Muscles

Small-but-mighty blue mussels are packed full of flavour and good for you..

Every bite serves up a sweet, mild taste of the ocean and an abundance of nutrients. Mussels are rich in lean protein, omega-3s, iron, antioxidants, vitamin B12, and vitamin C. 

Low in calories and nutrient-dense, they’re the perfect accompaniment to any meal or occasion. With so many ways to prepare and enjoy mussels, healthy eating is an easy, delectable adventure every time!

Oysters are “Nature’s Multivitamin”

Once you’ve mastered the art of shucking them, the world is literally your oyster.

The infatuation with these crustaceans is surely due to their unique flavour profile, but did you know oysters also punch above their weight nutritionally? In fact, their high levels of iron, zinc, vitamin E, vitamin D, B12 and magnesium have earned them the well-deserved nickname, “nature’s multivitamin”.

Versatile, healthy for you (and the ecosystem), and incredibly delicious, oysters are a ‘must’ at any occasion, whether it be a backyard BBQ, classy dinner party, or romantic picnic for two.

Party Time!

Check out (and register for) our Prince Edward Island events. From shucking tutorials to live cooking demos, virtual tours of the island’s oyster and mussel operations and virtual happy hours, there’s tons of fun to be had—and mussels and oysters to be enjoyed!

Looking to boost immunity and flex your mussels in the New Year?

Friday Jan 07 2022 @ 11 am EST /12 noon AST

Watch our Facebook live with Chef Ilona Daniel and Dietitian Crystal MacGregor as they will discuss food, diet and health. You will discover the benefits of mussels and oysters, along with easy homemade recipes.

We Our So-Shell Community

ALONG THE EDGE

Experiences, great experiences start here.

CHECK OUT OUR AMAZING PEI SHELLFISH TOUR EXPERIENCES:

Mussel & Lobster Shore Boil

Meet a local fisherman and enjoy a traditional lobster and mussel dinner on his private property. - Roll up your sleeves and help fisherman Jim Conohan of Along the Edge Experiences clean a mussel sock. - Learn all about our incredible mussel industry and how the Island became the largest producer in North America. - See how a lobster trap works and learn about Jim's life as a lobster fisherman. Enjoy a traditional lobster supper with mussels, 1.25 lb lobster, potato salad, roll and sweet treat. Water and/or juice included.

Beachcomber’s Clam Boil

Stroll along a private beach and learn the best ways to dig, comb and collect your evening meal of fresh clams..

• Spend some time with local fisherman Jim Conohan of Along the Edge Experiences, combing his private beach for fresh oysters and quahogs.
• Learn how to spot the tell-tale holes where the clams are hiding and dig until you find enough for what we call a “feed.”
• Enjoy your shellfish meal in Jim’s house with views of the beautiful Boughton river.
• Learn all about Jim’s life at sea as a lobster and tuna fisherman.
• Meal includes quahogs, mussels, oysters, bun, salad, water, truffles.
• Children’s meal available if they don’t like shellfish.

Tong & Schuck

Eat as many fresh oysters as you’d like while learning how islanders tong and shuck them..

• Meet local fisherman Jim Conohan of Along the Edge Experiences ,and hear the tales of his life on the sea.
• Let Jim show you how to properly tong and size oysters.
• Gather as many oysters as you like and Jim will show you how to shuck them!
• Learn about the growth and life cycle of PEI oysters.
• The experience includes oysters + dessert + water.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Activities with “Along The Edge Experiences” include making a juniper coaster to take home (brown and the “original jostr or “original juniper coaster”) as well as mussel, oyster and lobster boils with salad, rolls tea or coffee plus dessert.  There are other food options available for people who would like to take part in the adventure but do not like or cannot eat shellfish.

All our available tours & experiences have been adjusted to accommodate the PEI GOVERNMENT’S COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH MEASURES.

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Prince Edward Island Seafood

Department of Fisheries

PEI Wild Oysters

The Original Wild Oyster

Harvested from the cool clean waters of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the PEI Malpeque oyster became famous at a Paris exhibition in 1900 when the saltwater mollusk was declared the world’s tastiest oyster. The legend has only grown, as has the industry.

The Seasons

In PEI, the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) manages and regulates oyster harvesting. A rather complicated set of regulations governs the oyster fishing seasons. Seasons differ for commercial and leased ground. For the commercial fishery, the spring season is May 1 to July 15 and the fall fishery is September 15 to November 30. The majority of oyster fishers hold both spring and fall licenses.

The Process

The oysters are fished from the wild beds, using a 15-foot dory and a pair of long-handled oyster tongs that end in rake-like teeth. The depths of the water are up to 4.3 meters (14 feet). The fisher will lean over the side of the dory and drop the tongs into the water, closing them on the bottom of the bed to capture a small quantity of oysters and usually a bit of seagrass and mud. The fisher will then pull the closed tongs up through the water and deposit what they have gathered on the washboard of the dory so it can be measured and graded. All undersized oysters go back on the beds, as well as old shells that help to make a new environment for wild oysters to grow. Keeper oysters are cleaned off and sorted into wooden crates that will be sold to oyster processors and then the consumer. The oyster tongs are the only legal way for fishers to harvest wild oysters on commercial beds. The process is very labour intensive and slow. Each load may only collect a few oysters, requiring strength for repetition and a lot of patience. A wild oyster fisher will spend 8-10 hours out on the water everyday tonging and sorting.

The oyster which is native to the North American Atlantic coast is commonly known as the Atlantic oyster, American oyster or Eastern oyster (Crassotrea virginica). In Prince Edward Island, this species has become synonymous with Malpeque Bay, well known for its production of the world famous Malpeque oyster. PEI is near the most northerly tip of the oyster’s range. PEI’s warm, shallow, food rich bays and estuaries provide excellent growing conditions for oysters.

Oysters of the same species can have very different qualities due to local variation and the influence of the environment in which they grow. For example: water quality, minerals, salinity and type of nutrients available in the water all affect the taste profile. This is why PEI oysters (Malpeque brand or others) are known for superior flavour and quality.

PEI oysters grow slowly compared to many other foods. It takes 4 to 7 years for an oyster to mature and reach a minimum fishing size of 3 inches. Oysters like a hard bottom surface to grow on, the bigger they get, the more room they require to grow. It is said that the best oysters are the ones that get to grow slowly without crowding in cool clean waters.

Wild oysters are graded either choice, standard or commercial. This depends on the length and width of the shell. Although we grade the oyster by the shell, all meats taste the same.

Au Natural Growth Cycle

Oysters spawn naturally each Spring. The oyster larvae will begin to form a shell after 24 hours and within a few weeks the oyster spat will find a suitable surface to attach to in the wild and start to grow.

Oysters are filter feeders and get their nourishment from plants like plankton that are naturally found in the waters. They cannot tolerate or grow in impure waters, therefore, our abundance of oysters is directly related to our cool clean waters and desirable growing environment.

Because they are filter feeders, oysters naturally clean the waters where they grow and help reduce greenhouse gases by removing carbon dioxide from the ocean for shell formation. Oysters are a win-win for everyone!

Sustainability and Environment

The wild oyster fishery has low impact on the environment. Fishers use tong and dory to harvest oysters from the bottom, once they leave a location, there is no waste or remaining impact on the location.

The Oyster Connoisseur

Oysters are a food experience not to miss. One French poet compared them to “kissing the sea on the lips” as they literally taste like the sea and reflect the minerals, salinity and nutrients available in the water.

Wild oysters are all of these things: They have a clean taste that reflects their environment, they are naturally grown and fished with minimal impact and of course they are delicious!

Oysters are natural and nutritious and are sometimes called nature’s multivitamin. Oysters are an excellent source of protein, low in calories and saturated fat, excellent source of iron, high in zinc, great sources of vitamin E, vitamin D, B12, magnesium, etc.

Oysters are a food product that can be enjoyed by all ages. They are affordable and versatile. They can be served raw on the half shell or can be baked or fried. Some great oyster recipes like oyster Rockefeller or oyster po’ boy sandwich can be found on this website at the following link: PEI seafood recipes

Ask for Wild Oysters

Love what you read about these dedicated oyster fishers and the wild oyster? Asks your food retailer or restaurant if they carry wild PEI oysters. The following oyster companies sell wild oysters through wholesale and/or direct to consumer:

PEI Oyster Processors:

• Burleigh Brothers Seafood Ltd.
• Brackley Bay Oyster Co.
• Five Star Shellfish Inc.
• Future Seafoods Inc.
• Howard’s Cove Shellfish Ltd.
• Leslie Hardy & Sons Ltd.
• Prince Edward Aqua Farms Inc.

• Arsenault’s Fish Mart
• Basin View Seafoods
• By the Bay Fish Mart
• Doiron Fisheries
• JMK Fish Mart
• MacKinnon’s Lobster Pound
• Mike’s Queen Street Meat Market
• mrseafoods.com
• Prince Edward Aqua Farms
• Water Prince Corner Shop

Where to find the best PEI Oysters

Prince Edward Island is known as Canada’s Food Island. Popular for its nutrient rich red dirt, potatoes, plenty of other vegetables and fruits as well as some of the best seafood in the world. After my recent visit in search of the best PEI oysters I think it should also be known as home to the best oysters in Canada or even the BEST oysters in the world!

I had previously visited in search of the Best Lobster Rolls in Prince Edward Island . While on that road trip I could not avoid trying an oyster or two. These delicious molluscs inspired my next road trip to PEI to find the best PEI oysters. I knew Prince Edward Island was home to tasty oysters but I hadn’t realized just how many great oysters there were. Or just how large the oyster farming industry in PEI is. They harvest over 8 million pounds of oysters each year and grow 30% of Canada’s oysters.

For my road trip around PEI I had three and a half days. I visited a couple of oyster farms, took an oyster cooking class and tried as many delicious Prince Edward Island oysters as I could. Part way through I lost count, but I think in the end I ate at least 70 PEI oysters if not more. It was a tough job but someone had to do it. Out of those 70 I ate at least 19 different types from various farms and producers around the province. After eating all of those oysters I don’t even think I’ve tried half of what is available in PEI.

How to eat an oyster

Before we talk about the best PEI oysters that I ate lets go over how to eat an oyster. Naked is best so you can truly taste the merroir and saltiness of the oyster. (Merroir is to the ocean what terrior is to the land. The water the oyster grows in can really affect its taste.) Other additions tend to mask the taste of the oyster and then whats the point? Saying that though there are some lovely toppings that can be added.

I suggest getting multiple oysters of each kind so you can try each naked and then top the rest with whatever you like. Topping options that you will find around PEI include lemon juice, fresh grated horseradish, seafood sauce, hot sauce and mignonettes. My favorite is a rhubarb mignonette with some shallots. A mignonette is typically a vinegar based sauce with shallots and pepper. They are often infused with other ingredients like rhubarb, red wine, champagne or whatever you can come up with.

However you dress it the next step is tipping your head back and giving it a big slurp. If shucked right the oyster should slide right out nicely and into your mouth. Try to avoid getting shell pieces in your mouth if possible however often unavoidable. At the recent Halifax Oyster fest I saw a couple slurping their oysters from above. They would hold the oyster flat then lean over it from above and suck it straight up. It was an odd hoover manoeuvre but perhaps a cleaner way to slurp? This way you might avoid the dribble on your chin or shell mouth? Or maybe just no one told them how to do it properly? Whatever you do as long as the oyster ends up in your mouth you are doing it right.

NOTE : Some people often drip off the water that is sitting in the shell of the oyster. Don’t do this. This water is the fresh salt water the oyster grew in and really adds to the taste.

Where to find the best PEI oysters?

Now that you know how to eat them here are some of my suggestions on where to find the best PEI oysters. There are over 800 oyster culture sites nearing almost 3,000 hectares of leased ocean space in PEI. But where can you try these for yourself? Well first you start with the farmers. On my visit I was lucky enough to meet two of the many PEI Oyster farmers.

Raspberry Point Oysters

At Raspberry Point I met with General Manager and Head Oyster Farmer James Power. Raspberry Point is owned by the famous PEI company Cows known and loved across the province and Canada for their cheese and ice cream. Who knew they were in the oyster business as well? Part of the production facility for Raspberry Point Oysters is located just north of Stanley Bridge, PEI. Here there are a couple of farms that you can see from the road and a processing plant. Currently it is only open to scheduled tour bus visits however you can find their oysters at various restaurants around the island.

While visiting Raspberry point I got a look into how they process their oysters and even visited a huge grading machine they use in North Rustico. I also got out on the water with James and learned more about oyster farming. They have a huge oyster farming operation in PEI and even harvest in the winter time, cutting through the ice to get their customers the freshest oysters.

Raspberry Point Oysters have multiple farms across the province and the oysters from each farm have different names because of their unique merrior. Then depending on the size and age they might have another name as well. Here are a few of the Raspberry Point Oyster brand names: Lucky Limes, Daisy Bay, Irish Point, Pickle Point, Raspberry Point and Shiny Sea.

Where can you find Raspberry Point Oysters? Sims Steakhouse and Oyster Bar, Water Prince Corner Shop and Lobster pound, Merchantman Fresh Seafood and Oyster Bar and Lobster on the Wharf all in Charlottetown. You can also pick them up to take home at MR Seafood and MacKinnon’s Lobster pound. If you really fall in love with Raspberry Point Oysters they also ship Canada wide from their website .

PEI Oyster farmer George Dowdle offers up a fresh oyster straight out of the ocean

Green Gables Seafood Oysters

Green Gables Seafood is a smaller producer than Raspberry Point but they have been oyster farmers for decades. They produce three brands of PEI oysters: Green Gables, Cape Tryon and Fisher’s Dream oysters. I had the chance to visit one of their farms in New London, PEI as part of the Table Culinary Studio Oyster Obsession cooking class . I also got to meet the Green Gables Oysters owner and farmer George Dowdle. Conveniently George’s production facility is located across the street from the culinary studio.

As part of the class you learn everything you could possibly ever want to know about oysters and oyster farming. With George you get eat the oysters fresh from the sea shucked by the man himself. You also get to try George’s homemade mignonettes, visit one of his oyster farms, and even learn how to shuck oysters yourself. Along with a professional chef as part of the cooking class you also learn some of the best ways to cook oysters.

Grilled oysters in the half shell with a black garlic cream sauce and bacon jam that we learned to make in the Table Culinary Studio’s Oyster Obsession Cooking class!

We ate many oysters fresh from the ocean with George, then we also grilled and fried them. For the grilled oysters we topped them with a black garlic cream sauce and bacon jam. DROOL. We also deep fried the oysters to make Oyster Po’ Boy sandwiches. The chef chose to make them with a corn flour which wasn’t the best in my opinion. If they had been made with regular flour they would have been 100% fantastic.

Getting to spend that much time with George and learning about his process and history was really rewarding. The cooking class was a great experience as well, and now I can’t wait to make more bacon jam. Delicious!

The Best Oyster Raw Bars in Charlottetown

If you don’t have the chance to meet an oyster farmer or take a cooking class don’t worry. There are still so many places and other opportunities to enjoy the best PEI oysters. Most likely if you are visiting Prince Edward Island you will be in the capital city of Charlottetown. Pretty much every restaurant in the city has an oyster raw bar with the freshest PEI oysters. I wasn’t able to go to all of them but here is my list of the best oyster raw bars in Charlottetown.

Keep in mind that these restaurants tend to sell the best oysters available that day. So while I might have had one kind at a restaurant you could go another day and they would have totally different kinds available. If you are looking to try a certain type always be sure to call ahead before you go. No matter what you find, you will get the best PEI oysters imaginable.

When choosing a restaurant for oysters a good sign of their quality and freshness is if you can see them on display by the bar. Most likely you will see them on ice next to a list of what the restaurant has available that day.

Merchantman Fresh Seafood and Oyster Bar

My first stop in Charlottetown was the Merchantman Fresh Seafood and Oyster Bar. Be sure to get a reservation before you visit as it can be quite busy especially in the summer months. If they are busy check next door at their sister restaurant called “ MM Next Door “, which serves a similar menu. Both restaurants have nice outdoor patios for nice weather days and each serve the same delicious oysters.

At Merchantman I tried two of each oyster they had that day. Their PEI oysters available were Savage Blonde, Red Head Select, Blackberry Bay and Dukes at $3 each. They were served with lemon wedges, seafood sauce and freshly shaved horseradish as well as a jalapeño sesame mignonette and a rhubarb mignonette. On their menu they also had baked oysters with spinach, breadcrumbs, butter and parmesan cheese at $4 each.

The oysters were delicious and fresh and the Savage Blondes were my favorite. I liked the baked oysters as well although they were a bit harder to eat as the cheese sticks them to the shell.

The Olde Dublin Pub

The Olde Dublin Pub is probably the best place in the city for buck a shuck oysters. They offer them daily from 4-6pm with purchase of a drink. The oysters they feature are Little Willy’s and are small cocktail sized oysters. Although delicious buck a shuck oysters aren’t necessarily sustainable and are not as great of a quality as other larger oysters. This is a great place to visit if you are trying oysters for the first time, so you don’t spend too much if you aren’t a fan. It is also an ideal location if you are craving a large amount of oysters as it is your best value.

Many people go to the Olde Dublin Pub just for the buck a shuck oyster so make sure you arrive 10-15 minutes before 4pm to get a seat and let your server know you are there for the oysters. Then you can place your order as soon as it is 4pm and get your oysters pretty fast leaving you time to enjoy them and order more if needed.

Located below the Olde Dublin Pub you will also find the Claddagh Oyster House. I didn’t have a chance to visit here but they have a great oyster menu featuring six different oyster types daily and offer a premium oyster special as well.

Sims Corner Steakhouse & Oyster Bar

Sims Corner Steakhouse & Oyster Bar is one of the fancier restaurants in the city. They are known for their PEI raised beef and PEI oysters. While I was there they had six tpyes of oysters on their menu for $3 each. The oysters that day were Shipwreck, Gownbrae, Sand Dune, Pinette River, Cascumpec Bay and Island Kiss. I had previously had the Sand Dune oyster and I was starting to get oystered out at this point so I skipped that one and ordered one of each of the other oysters getting five oysters total.

The oysters were shucked fresh per order at the bar. They were quite delicious and were served with lemon, horseradish and seafood sauce. I also couldn’t pass on the opportunity for PEI raised beef so I also enjoyed a great filet mignon, frites and a fancy cocktail. This was definitely my fanciest oyster meal on the island.

Honorable mentions for other oyster raw bars in Charlottetown: Water Prince Corner Shop and Lobster Pound, Claddagh Oyster House, The Gahan House.

Best Oyster Raw Bars in Prince Edward Island

You can find lots of great PEI oysters outside of Charlottetown as well. Here are a few of the great spots to add to your road trip list for the best oyster raw bars in Prince Edward Island.

The Landmark Oyster House

Located in the adorable seaside town of Victoria by the Sea, the Landmark Oyster House is a great place to stop for PEI oysters. Not only can you enjoy raw oysters here but also Oyster Po’ Boys and even a Caesar cocktail with an oyster on top. (The Canadian version of a Bloody Mary.)

Explore the town, get a lighthouse selfie, enjoy the chocolates at Island chocolates then eat all of the oysters. The staff are very friendly and some of them even compete in the Tyne Valley oyster shucking competition so they really know their oysters.

When I visited they had six types of PEI oysters available, four of which were new to me. I tried the Goose Berry, Pearl Valley, South Lake and Sand Dune oysters. The oysters were $3 each or $32 a dozen. The Landmark Oyster House also offers a daily oyster special for $2 each from 3-5pm.

The oysters were fresh and delicious. Their take on the Po’ Boy was also great, as was the Caesar cocktail with oyster on top that washed down nicely.

I also recommend swinging by the Lobster Barn for their delicious lobster roll located on the main wharf in Victoria by the Sea.

The Wheelhouse in Georgetown Restaurant

The Wheelhouse is located on the east coast of PEI in Georgetown. It is a great place to detour to if you are coming or going to the island by ferry. They have a great outdoor patio with a view of Geogretown Harbour and the Brudnell River where they get fresh Brudnell oysters from daily. Your oysters don’t get much fresher than that. They also offer various other oysters from around the island. When I was there they also served Savage Blondes, (which are some of my favorites from my trip), and Colville Bay oysters. I enjoyed six oysters total for $16,50. You can order a dozen for $29 or 100 for $227. Or just $3 for one.

While at the Wheelhouse I also enjoyed their Fish and Chips and a fresh blueberry lemonade made from their very own blueberries. The Wheelhouse also operates the Terry’s Berries Food Truck in Charlottetown. Visit them for their Salt Daddy Lobster Melt .

Malpeque Oyster Barn

The Malpeque oyster is one of the best in the world and was actually voted exactly that at the world’s fair in Paris in 1900. The Malpeque oyster originates in Malpeque Bay, PEI and have been indigenous to the island for thousands of years. Due to disease in oyster stocks in the 1910’s many of PEI’s oysters were depleted. The malpeque oysters that survived were used to re-seed the rest of the island and replenish the industry. Because of that essentially all of the oysters in PEI are malpeque oysters.

At the Malpeque Oyster Barn they serve all of their own Malpeque oysters from Malpeque Bay that are called Malpeques. You can dine in and enjoy many oysters in various sizes shucked right before your eyes. Or you can also purchase them and other seafood to go from their seafood counter. The Malpeque Oyster Barn is open seasonally in the summer months.

They Malpeque oysters shucked in the restaurant are $13.95 for six or $23.95 for 12 for the small size. Or you can get large Malpeque oysters for $18.95 for six or $30.95 for 12.

The Malpeque Oyster Barn has a few other items on their menu aside from oysters as well including mussels, haddock chicken burgers and more. On the menu you will also find a lobster roll which many people told me that I needed to try. The lobster roll came with a side caesar salad and was quite enjoyable.

Honorable mentions for other great oyster options around the island: Point Prim Chowder House, Blue Mussel Cafe, and Carr’s Oyster Bar.

The Tyne Valley Oyster Festival

Held every summer in Tyne Valley, PEI is the Tyne Valley Oyster Festival and shucking competition. This just so happened to be taking place during my visit so of course I had to go. During the festival the whole area of Tyne Valley has oyster related events going on in the community from soapbox derbys to a music festival to even the Miss Oyster Pearl Pageant and more.

During the Tyne Valley Oyster Festival the Fireman’s club also serves up fried oyster and scallop suppers. For $20 you can get a plate of fried oysters and scallops with potato, coleslaw and a bun. This also includes a drink and pie for dessert. Without a doubt these were the best fried oysters that I had on my trip.

At the oyster shucking competition anyone can enter to try to win the prized trophy. The winner gets to go to Ireland for the world oyster shucking championships. The great part about the shucking competition is the audience gets to eat all of the oysters shucked and thats a lot of oysters!

Of course the Tyne Valley Oyster Festival is only once a year so plan ahead now for the next one July 29th to August 2nd, 2020.

Another great oyster related event not to miss in PEI is the Prince Edward Island International Shellfish Festival . Taking place next year from September 17-20, 2020.

How much do oysters cost?

On average, everywhere that I ate oysters in PEI they were $3 a piece. This is a pretty standard price for oysters in most cities. If you get a baked oyster or a larger than normal oyster expect to pay a bit more for the time and effort put into it. $3 or more each might seem expensive but considering the time it takes to grow an oyster and all of the work that goes into growing them it is a more than fair price.

As mentioned above some locations do also offer oyster happy hours where you can get buck a shuck oysters. These oysters are smaller than the government regulated size. They also aren’t sustainable for all producers and they can actually harm the industry. So if you can pay a little more and you will get better oysters and happy oyster farmers.

To learn a bit more about all of the oysters I enjoyed, watch my video:

After eating all of those oysters it’s hard to say which were my favorite as I liked them all. I also learned that it is really hard to describe how oysters taste. You need an excellent palate to differentiate their delicate differences. I think my favorites were definitely the Savage Blondes and of course the Green Gables oysters, especially with the bacon jam and black garlic cream sauce. However every single oyster I ate in PEI was delicious and I hope you enjoy them too.

Hopefully my post and video will help you explore all of the delicious PEI Oysters for yourself. Let me know in the comments which are you favorites!!

Like this post? Pin it for later!!

Special thanks to the Tourism PEI for hosting me on this trip. All opinions and views expressed are my own as is my belly full of oysters.

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Oh, those look great. I really enjoy visiting PEI, it’s one of my favourite places in Canada. And when I do, you know the seafood is fresh, haha. Keep up the great work!

Awesome Post! Thanks for sharing..

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Malpeque Oysters: All You Need To Know

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Our whole family had such a great time! Perry and his crew showed our boys (15 and 12 yrs) mussels, lobster, and crab, and how they are harvested. Then we went fishing, and we all caught mackerel. Perry fired up the BBQ and we had the freshest BBQ mackerel ever - it was great! Perry shared some great stories about the area and the fishing industry in Georgetown - all so interesting!

We had an absolute blast on the Giant Clam Bar Dig! We loved getting up close with the crabs, lobsters, and mussels. Perry and Art were supreme guides and the boat was comfortable and incredibly clean. Clam digging on the sand bar was unforgettable, and we'll absolutely be back with the whole family.

What a great experience with Perry and Art! Learned a lot about fishing in the area and life on PEI. Enjoyed the mackerel we caught and they cooked for us onboard. Thanks for making such a memorable experience for us with your great Maritime hospitality.

Another wonderful trip with Perry deep sea fishing today. I take all my visiting friends and relatives on this excursion and they love it. Many of them have been several times and never get tired of it. You can't eat fish any fresher than this. Awesome staff!

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PEI|TASTING|TOURS

EXPERIENCE|FOOD|DRINK

Tasting Tours

A Toast To The East Coast

Winery|brewery|cidery|distillery.

Our All-Inclusive Tasting Tours Include 4 Stops–one winery, one brewery, one cidery and one distillery. You will sample a variety of select products from each location, and get one behind the scenes tour. Your tour includes lunch—plus, you’ll take home your choice of select product! This tour is approximately 6 hours in length and features some of PEI’s most stunning coastal views.

Tour|Lunch|Flights|Pints|Samples|Take Home Product|Transportation

$200 Per Person

Meet Our Friends Along

Red Island Cider

You’ll enjoy a flight of cider at this intimate Urban Cidery–the only cidery of it’s kind in Charlottetown. Serving the local community with more than delicious cider, these folks offer an inviting, and inclusive ambience we love!

Rossignol Estate Winery

This winery is ready to introduce you to their harvest’s best choice of fruit wines, whites and barrel aged reds. Their popular Maple, Wild Blueberry and Raspberry wines are fan favourites. Whites such as Little Sands, pair well with your local seafood dishes.

Bogside Brewing

Craft Brewery

This is one of 2 breweries in Montague the beautiful. Flights of craft beer, cider, canned cocktails are paired with your lunch at this popular local brewery. A stellar atmosphere, and servers who know their stuff.

Newman Estate Winery

This ‘off-the-beaten-path” boutique winery offers a small variety of whites, rosés, and red blends. These wines are made with cool-climate varietals such as L’ Acadie Blanc, Seyval Blanc and Lucy Kuhlmann. A tour and vine-side tasting will be an authentic experience for you.

Myriad View Artisan Distillery

The first distillery to legally produce ‘Moonshine’, these high proof spirits are distilled from top quality molasses and sugarcane. When you visit this distillery, you can peek in at the production area, sample several award-winning spirits, and take in the myriad views of Rollo Bay!

Copper Bottom Brewing

Award-winning craft beer is served up with a side of panoramic views of Montague. There’s plenty of craft beer styles to choose from here. From Blondes to Reds–there’s something for everyone!

Oysters & Experts

Freshly|shucked.

Experience a unique, hands-on oyster tour at Brackley Bay Oyster Company. Join us for an all-inclusive, immersive and educational experience that is perfect for oyster lovers, foodies, and anyone interested in learning more about sustainable aquaculture practices. Learn about the art and science of oyster farming and taste fresh oysters right out of the bay. Take home a locally made shucking tool as a souvenir and continue to enjoy fresh oysters at home.

The tour begins with a warm welcome from the knowledgeable and friendly owners, who will introduce you to the world of oyster farming and the role that Brackley Bay Oyster Company plays in this process. Discover the unique characteristics that make Brackley Bay oysters so delicious and sought after. Experience a visit inside where you can see firsthand how the oysters are grown, harvested, and processed.

After the tour, enjoy a tasting of some of the freshest oysters in the world, straight from the bay. The tasting includes a variety of oysters from different parts of the farm, each with their own distinct flavor and texture. This tour is the perfect way to immerse yourself in the world of sustainable aquaculture and discover the joys of fresh, locally grown oysters. Join us at Brackley Bay Oyster Company for an unforgettable experience.

Best in the world? We know so!

Fully guided|shucking tool|oysters|transportation, $148 per person.

Out Of This Swirled Tour

Wine|cider|spirits.

Discover the tastes of Prince Edward Island on our PEI Tasting Tour! This 4-hour tour takes you on a journey through rolling hill landscapes, featuring stops at a winery, cidery, and distillery. At each location, you’ll have the opportunity to sample a variety of select products and take a behind-the-scenes tour. This tour includes all samples and tastings, so you can fully experience the flavours of PEI. Plus, indulge in a local cheese and chocolate tasting at the winery. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to experience the tastes of the island!

TASTINGS|GUIDED|TRANSPORTATION

$132 Per Person

Deep Roots Distillery

Deep Roots Distillery is best known for their wide variety of flavoured award-winning small batch distilled products. You will find interesting flavours like Maple, Blueberry or Apple during your tasting.

Riverdale Orchard & Cidery

This local Cidery is the heart of Bonshaw. The owners are always glad to greet you with a pint and a cheer! Made with hand harvested apples from their orchard, you can feel the love in every glass!

Matos Winery & Distillery

Wine & Spirits

Matos Winery & Distillery produce awarding-winning wines like the Gamay Noir, Chardonnay and their Rose. Plus, equally impressive distilled products such as the Bagaco, Anisette, and their PEI Apple Brandy. Impressive.

HOP|SIP|SWIRL

Looking for a unique way to experience the craft beverage scene in Prince Edward Island? Look no further than our HOP|SIP|SWIRL tours! Our all-inclusive tours include stops at a winery, a brewery, a cidery, and a distillery, showcasing the best that PEI has to offer.

At PEI|TASTING|TOURS, we’re dedicated to providing our guests with unforgettable experiences that reveal the hidden beauty and culture of the island. Our locally run tour company is staffed by professional and experienced certified tour guides, who are committed to delivering exceptional service, value, and top-notch quality.

Whether you’re a craft beer enthusiast, a cider lover, a wine connoisseur, or a fan of spirits, our tours offer something for everyone. So come join us for a day of tasting, learning, and discovery, as we take you on a journey through Prince Edward Island’s craft beverage scene. Book your tour today and experience the best of PEI!

LAND|SEA|SAVOUR

Experience Canada’s Food Island like never before with PEI Tasting Tours! Our culinary tours are the perfect way to explore Prince Edward Island and sample its delicious, authentic cuisine. From the coastline to the rolling hills, we take our guests on a journey through the Island’s diverse food landscape, showcasing everything from fresh seafood and local Gouda to mustards, chocolates, and oysters.

Our tours are designed to connect you with the island’s food producers, experts, and local communities, offering exclusive, experiential activities for all types of guests. Whether you’re a foodie looking for your next culinary adventure or simply seeking to explore the island’s rich culinary traditions, our tours are the perfect way to immerse yourself in the local culture.

We pride ourselves on providing an all-inclusive experience for our guests, which means that transportation, all tastings, and a take-home gift are included in the tour price. Our friendly and energetic tour guides are dedicated to creating lasting memories for our guests and are happy to welcome visitors from all over the world.

Don’t miss out on this unforgettable experience – book your PEI Tasting Tour today and discover the culinary delights of Canada’s Food Island!

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Tranquility Cove's Ice Fishing for Oysters

Location Tranquility Cove Adventures, 457 Kayes Rd Georgetown Points East Coastal Drive

Contact [email protected] 9029697184 (T)

About this Experience

Location & directions.

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The Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea virginica) has a long history of production in Prince Edward Island.  The Island is the second largest oyster producing province in Canada and the largest oyster producer in Atlantic Canada.  Oysters are harvested from the majority of rivers, bays and estuaries around the Island; however, the western portion of the Island is home to the majority of oysters. The Island industry is unique in that our oyster harvest comes from both our long standing and storied public fishery, as well as a new and developing cultured oyster industry.  In 2014 there were 7.3 million pounds of oysters harvested at a landed value of 9.9 million dollars.

What is oyster aquaculture?

The oyster aquaculture industry has seen encouraging development over the last decade and includes culture on both bottom and off-bottom (surface) leases. There are multiple growing techniques and varying types of gear utilized by the industry, however, recently the utilization of gear that floats near the surface has become the aquaculture industry standard.  Currently, there are 820 oyster culture sites accounting for a total of 7,296 acres of oyster leases.

How do we grow oysters on the surface?

1. Spat Collection

2. Harvesting Seed

3. Oyster Grow-out

4. Maintanance

5. Harvest and Grading

General Inquiries

Department of Fisheries, Tourism, Sport and Culture Shaw Building 95-105 Rochford Street Charlottetown, PE C1A 7N8 North 3rd Floor

Telephone: 902-368-5956

[email protected]

© 2024 Government of Prince Edward Island

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Industries – Oysters

• PEI oyster growers annually land approximately 6.5 million pounds of oysters at a value of $10.3 million.
• PEI cultured oysters are sold domestically in Quebec, Ontario, or exported to USA and other international markets.
• There are approximately 7,700 acres leased for oyster production with more than 800 lease holders, with 2,700 acres in suspended culture and 5,000 bottom culture.

Traditionally it takes 5 to 7 years for an oyster to grow to market size (three inches). By using off bottom and water column growing techniques, Island oyster growers are able produce the same size and quality of oyster in just 4 years. Also becoming popular are cocktail oysters, which are 2-3″ in length and take 2 to 3 years to produce.

Oyster leases are predominantly concentrated on the north and south shores, in PEI communities like Foxley River, Conway Narrows, Egmont, Orwell and Colville Bay.

PEI Oysters Processors

ATLANTIC AQUA FARMS

Atlantic Aqua Farms is North America’s largest grower and processor of the widely recognized, high quality, Prince Edward Island Mussels under the brand name Canadian Cove. We also farm some of the finest quality PEI Oysters under the brands Barstool Cocktails, Sweet Island Kiss, Naked Islanders & Chappell Creek.

www.atlanticaquafarms.com

ATLANTIC SHELLFISH PRODUCTS INC.

Atlantic Shellfish reliably supplies a consistent top quality product to a continually developing customer base that has come to appreciate excellent service. Atlantic Shellfish is constantly innovating and striving to be on the forefront of PEI’s oyster industry. We do not try to set the bar. Instead, we constantly raise it.

http://atlanticshellfish.com

BRACKLEY BAY OYSTER CO.

The distinguishable taste of Brackley Bay oysters has been experienced by people around the world – dating back to the 1920s. That tradition continues today with the same dedication, stewardship and commitment to quality that has made Brackley Bay oysters the finest choice for a century.

www.brackleybayoysterco.com

CASCUPEC BAY OYSTER COMPANY

We are a family run company, committed to growing and packing only the finest quality oysters in a safe and sustainable way, and work with other nearby growers with the same commitments to bring their product to market. Quality is the focus and over the years we have let our oysters speak for themselves.

www.cascumpecbayoysterco.com

COLVILLE BAY OYSTER COMPANY

Colville Bay Oyster Company is a family-owned business located in Souris, PEI. They have been growing top quality cultured oysters in the pristine waters of Colville Bay since 1995. Their oysters have a distinctive aqua-green shell and the meat is plump, briny and clean tasting; “like distilled ocean”. Their business has been built the old fashioned way by providing a superior product and quality service to their customers.

www.colvillebayoysterco.com

EAST CAPE OYSTER COMPANY

We are based out of the eastern end of PEI, offering up some of the most sought after oysters on the island including Sand Dune Selects, Northern Belle, and Gowanbrae. We take pride in growing consistently high quality oysters while leaving a positive impact on the people and environment around us.

www.eastcapeoyster.com

FIVE STAR SHELLFISH INC.

Five Star Shellfish Inc. is one of Canada’s premier processors of top quality Prince Edward Island shellfish. Their company takes great pride in the quality and safety of finished product that they provide and guarantee to their customers. The company harvests shellfish daily from the clean, pristine waters of their own lease sites, which are carefully managed all year round.

www.fivestarshellfish.com

FUTURE SEAFOODS INC.

Future Seafoods specializes in oysters. They welcome you to come in and see the way they nurture the young oysters to bring their customers an exceptional delicacy. They feel that growing oysters is not just a job but a way of life and the entire company has a deep commitment to the environment and the sustainability of precious natural resources.

www.futureseafoods.com

LESLIE HARDY & SONS LTD

Leslie Hardy & Sons Ltd., located in East Bideford PEI is a major shellfish shipping company. Owners and operators, Leslie Hardy and his sons take pride in the quality and delicious taste of the seafood that the fresh clean waters of PEI have to offer. Once you have tasted it they are sure you will agree. Their motto is: For the Love of Oysters, and they love farming oysters!

www.hardyoysters.com

PRINCE EDWARD AQUA FARMS

Prince Edward Aqua Farms of New London, Prince Edward Island has been processing top quality shellfish since 1989. Oysters from Prince Edward Aqua Farms are recognized for their fresh and tender meat which is a result of being packaged in their natural fluids and the facility’s expedited shipping practices.

www.peaqua.com

RASPBERRY POINT OYSTERS

For the oyster lover, Raspberry Point Oysters are much prized and sought after for their wonderful salty taste, clean flavour, and distinct sweet aftertaste. The Raspberry Point Oyster Co. also markets Daisy Bay, Pickle Point, Lucky Limes, Shiny Sea, and Irish Point brands.

www.raspberrypoint.com

RODNEY’S OYSTER DEPOT

Rodney’s Oyster Depot is as much about where, as what. The merroir of their leases create the best there is to offer in size, shape, and most importantly taste. Rodney’s Oyster Depot is a family enterprise, and even those who aren’t family feel like they are.

www.rodneysoysterdepot.com

SWEET OYSTER COMPANY

Sweet Oyster Company is a locally owned and operated oyster processor and farm located in Cascumpec, Prince Edward Island. Our team of young, dedicated employees understand our commitment to quality over quantity and putting the extra effort in to producing a product that speaks for its self. We also work closely with local growers who share our values, and take as much pride in the oysters they grow as we do.

https://sweetoyster.ca

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Colville Bay Oyster Company

Prince Edward Island

At Colville Bay Oyster Company

The oyster is our world, growing top quality cultured oysters in the pristine waters of colville bay since 1993., world class oysters.

Served as featured products in many of the finest oyster bars and restaurants across Canada.

Wholesale Lobster

Succulent and sweet, PEI lobster is one of the most sought-after seafood in the world. It’s the star of any dining experience.

The Lobster Shack

Located on the boardwalk at Souris beach. Come experience our delicious Colville Bay Oysters and PEI Lobster.

Johnny has been fishing lobster for the past 30 years. We recently built a state of the art lobster holding facility which means we can sell lobster throughout the spring and summer season. We also opened The Lobster Shack where we retail as well as wholesale our lobsters and oysters.

It’s hard to imagine a PEI oyster that I do not love. But for me—and it might be because we both spent some time in Souris—the Colville Bay oyster is the very quintessence of oysterness. It is the oyster for people who think they don’t like them; salty, then—a surprise—sweet! Buxom and creamy at first, then suddenly the flavours pop like a little effervescence on your tongue. These are the oysters of romance, whether you find your romance with your dining companion or in the briny suggestion of the sea.

Ann Thurlow

Awesome lobster roll

Shawn Hines

Lovely lobster rolls!

Heather Copan

Great Oysters! Friendly staff!

David Loyola

Colville Bay are my favourite oysters in the world. I travel all the time—everywhere I go I taste their oysters. These are the best. They’re so clean tasting, sweet, meaty and briny. I like that they’re not watery. Sometimes I find fresh oysters hold too much sea water. These, never, because they’re so plump they fill the shell. They come in different sizes and my favourite are the biggest: they’re sumptuous.

Chef Susur Lee

The most delicious oyster in Canada.

Chef Michael Smith

A full, plump, meaty oyster that is crisp and salty sweet — darn near perfect.

Patrick McMurray

If I could eat any oyster from PEI it would be Colville Bay.  They are unparalleled oysters; stunning teardrop-shaped, jade shells let you know they are different right away.  Delightfully crunchy texture and sweet meat confirm their excellence.   A Colville Bay starts off with medium salt, then fills your mouth with nutty, popcorn like flavors, and finishes with a lingering floral lemon zest.

Rowan Jacobson

Awesome place. Great staff. Super friendly. Had lobster roll platter and 1/2 dozen oysters for lunch. Only wish we had a cooler to take some lobster with us. Next time! Well worth the visit

Best oysters in the world. Great family run business!

Bulwinkl Vassallo

I had an ultra delicious lobster roll at this place! Generous lobster and so tasty! Goes so well with the chips! I hope I can find good lobster roll like this back home if not I will always be missing it. Also a great place to just chill at as the outdoor seating view is fantastic! Must go!

Bought 5 lobsters live, great price and service!

Saif Sanwal

This lobster roll deserves a full page spread in Canadian Living Magazine.

Brendan Grills

This is where you get super fresh good lobsters and oysters!! And the scenery is amazing. One of the most enjoyable moment I had in PEI. Must go!!!!

A M A Z I N G !

Diana Delgado

Le lobster roll est excellent. Ca vaut le détour!

David Tremblay