Carlsbad Aquafarm Tour A Shucking Good Day Trip

Unfortunately, the Aquafarm has permanently closed.

Carlsbad Aquafarm is located right next to Carlsbad State Beach. The farm produces oysters and mussels and occasionally clams and scallops. The farm cultivates Pacific oysters, including Blonde and Carlsbad Luna varieties. Pacific oysters have a mild and slightly sweet taste with a good amount of brine. The flavor of oysters can vary depending on the water and season. Carlsbad Aquafarm is known for producing some of the most delicious oysters on the West Coast.

Carlsbad Aquafarm Tours

Tours are available on weekdays from Monday to Thursday with four time slots: 10 a.m., 12 pm, 2 pm, and 4 pm. Aquafarm Tours last about one hour, including a 30-minute walking tour and a short class on shuck oysters. The tour concludes with a tasting of six oysters that visitors get to shuck themselves. Lemons, hot sauce, and shucking tools are included in the tour package. Weekend tours are offered on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 10 am, 12 pm, 2 pm, and 4 pm.

After Shucking

Tours include a tasting of six oysters. Additional oysters and mussels are available for purchase to take home. It’s recommended to bring a cooler for transportation. Carlsbad Aquafarm is dog-friendly. If you want to bring your four-legged friend along, they must be on a leash, and bring doggie bags to clean up after them.

 

Agua Hedionda Lagoon (Carlsbad Lagoon)

Carlsbad Lagoon was dredged and opened to the sea in 1954. Before the dredging, the Lagoon had limited access to the Pacific Ocean, usually only during periods of heavy rain. Dredging is necessary every few years to ensure the Lagoon remains open to the ocean. The Carlsbad Aquafarm is situated on the outer Lagoon near the Desalination Plant. The middle Lagoon is a YMCA day camp. In contrast, the more extensive inner Lagoon is home to Sung Harbor, which offers various non-motorized water activities such as kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddle boarding.

Booking a Carlsbad Aquafarm Tour

Reservations are required for Aquafarm tours. Our on-site parking is free. The entrance is on the northbound side of Highway 101, north of Cannon Road in Carlsbad. Visit the Carlsbad Aquafarm Website to book and tour.

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