(update-the aqua farm is permanently closed as of 8/2024)
At first, a Carlsbad oyster farm tour might sound like an unusual thing to do. However, this eco-conscious excursion is both informative and delicious. Over the years, I have worried about the impact of tourism on the environment. So when I heard about this Earth-friendly tour, I jumped at a chance to check it out.
Visit Carlsbad California’s Aquafarm, the only one of its kind in Southern California. Learn how the farm cultivates sustainable seafood and preserves the oceans’ precious resources. Oyster farm tours include a guided discovery walk, hands-on shucking class and mouth-watering oyster tasting.
As a Carlsbad resident for the last two decades, I recently discovered this unexpected seaside experience. After an evening at the Carlsbad Aquafarm, I can share details about what to expect before you go. Discover, shuck and taste the freshest Carlsbad oysters for yourself!
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What Is the Carlsbad Aquafarm?
As oceans have become increasingly depleted with marine life from pollution and overharvesting, about 95 percent of oysters and mussels consumed worldwide are cultivated on farms.
The Carlsbad Aquafarm is one example of a farm producing sustainable shellfish. The aquafarm has been operational in the Agua Hedionda Lagoon since the 1950’s, but recently opened its doors for tours in 2021.
At the farm, buoys support oysters and mussels as they float in the shallow lagoon. Over 600 oysters hang from trays on a single buoy! Sea birds bob on the buoys, keeping pests at bay and “fertilize” the area with their droppings.
According to our guide, the aqua farm produces an astounding 2 million pounds of shellfish each year! Perhaps you will have a chance to see cranes hoist these heavy loads of bivalves from the sea.
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How Is the Carlsbad Aquafarm Good for the Environment?
Besides producing fresh oysters and mussels for San Diego, aquafarming has another important environmental function. Its positive impact: healthy, clear water, enabling the lagoon’s eelgrass beds to grow, and ensuring that the wetlands’ abundant wildlife thrives. The farm’s mollusks each filter 50 gallons of water per day. During that process dirt, sediment and algae are removed from lagoon water.
In addition, nutrients from local farms such as the Carlsbad Flower Fields and Carlsbad strawberry farms, run off into the watershed feeding lagoon algae. As a result of these nutrients and California sunshine, eel grass thrives. Sea life such as turtles, sting rays, sea horses and birds enjoy the plentiful grass and the clean water in the lagoon.
Adjacent to the farm, is the Carlsbad Desalination Plant. It removes salt from ocean water to make drinking water for local residents. In a symbiotic relationship, the desalination plant moves ocean water through the area. This provides a surge of nutrients in the fast-flowing water where the shellfish grow. In return, these creatures help filter the water before it reaches the desalination plant.
“Shellfish are filter-feeders, pulling algae and nutrients from the water. Each oyster can filter up to 50 gallons a day, which has ecological benefits such as helping to keep the water clear and attracting other marine life. The shellfish also accumulate heavy metals such as copper in their shells, without affecting the edible meat, which can help clean up ports like the San Diego Bay.” -John Grimm Aquafarm President & CEO
Baltimore Sun
Where Is the Carlsbad Aquafarm?
The Carlsbad Aquafarm is located between Cannon Road and Tamarack Avenue, on Carlsbad Boulevard. Its newly constructed parking lot is a bit hidden, just north of the entrance for the NRG Carlsbad Energy Center. Across the street is gorgeous Carlsbad State Beach. If possible, save time for a stroll along the beach before or after your tour.
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Carlsbad Aquafarm Address:
4522 Carlsbad Boulevard Carlsbad, CA 92008
Seeking Stamps Tip: Drive cautiously- if you miss the entrance, it’s a bit of a drive to make a u-turn to drive back.
How Much Does The Carlsbad Oyster Farm Tour Cost?
Oyster Farm Tour Prices:
- Adults: $40 (Carlsbad Aquafarm tickets include tasting 6 oysters)
- Children ages 6-12: $10 (includes tasting 2 oysters)
- Children under 5: FREE
- Reservations are required for everyone in your party
Aquaponics Tour Prices:
We only had a brief introduction to hydroponics, but you can learn all about aquaponic gardening on an informative tour.
- $30 dollars for 1.5 hour tours
Seeking Stamps Tip: No matter which tour you choose, don’t forget to tip your helpful guide after your farm visit!
When Are Carlsbad Aquafarm Tours Available?
The Carlsbad Aquafarm is open daily, excluding Thanksgiving and Christmas. “Farm Tour and Tasting experiences” are offered at 10:00, 12:00, 2:00 and 4:00 pm. Groups have a maximum of 18 people per tour.
Seeking Stamps Tip: Weekends and evenings sell out early, so book Carlsbad aqua farms tickets in advance.
What To Expect on the Carlsbad Oyster Farm Tour
Aquafarm tours are one hour long. They include a guided farm discovery walk for 30 minutes, then a 10 minute shucking lesson. The tour concludes with the best part, sampling the best oysters in Carlsbad!
Guided Farm Discovery:
The guided farm discovery walk begins with an informative run through of how aquaculture works. You will also learn interesting facts about the oyster life cycle and reproduction. From fertilization to implantation in the lagoon, everything is explained in simple terminology. Without a doubt, kids will love seeing the shellfish up close and getting their hands in the touch tank.
Shucking Oysters Lesson at Carlsbad Aquafarm:
After the guided farm walk, head over to the patio for your oyster shucking lesson. Learn the step by step way to open these tricky little guys. The farm provides protective gloves and a shucking knife for you (after you sign your waiver). There are umbrellas for shade and drinking water provided. Just think, you can share all this impressive shucking knowledge at future cocktail parties!
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Oyster Tasting on the Aquafarm Tour:
Last but not least, the best part of the day is oyster tasting! Don your gloves and start working your knife into the oyster hinge. Then it’s time to shuck away! You’ll feel sweet satisfaction when you get that tough shell open.
The shellfish at the Carlsbad Aquafarms are Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas) and Mediterranean mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis). There are two oyster varieties. One is Carlsbad Blonde Oysters, which are larger and briney tasting. Luna oysters are smaller in size and have a sweeter taste, making them the perfect for eating raw.
You are given six oysters to shuck and eat. Try them plain or douse them with lemon and hot sauce before you shoot the oysters. To my surprise the taste was very mild, salty and slightly chewy. Even if you are not a huge fan of oysters, these are probably the freshest oysters you will ever taste!
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Are Raw Oysters Safe to Eat on the Carlsbad Oyster Tour?
The safety of raw oysters is an important consideration before you pop them in your mouth. A marine biologist described the strict safety standards the oyster farm adheres to.
The aquafarm has a robust filtration system that the shellfish undergo after harvest. Following removal, they rest in filtered water for several days while they clear dirt and debris. After two days of filtration, samples of each batch get sent to the FDA. Then a variety of lab tests check for water quality, tissue, biotoxins, and bacteria. In contrast to oysters consumed at restaurants that are often over a week old, these are as fresh as you can get!
“[For] our 10 a.m. tour today, we pulled the oysters out of the water at 10:05, put them on ice and at 10:30, we pulled them off the ice and started opening and eating oysters that had only been out of the water for 25 minutes,” said Matthew Steinke (Operations Manager at Carlsbad Aquafarm).
nbcsandiego.com
Recommended Ages for Oyster Tours in Carlsbad
Children will need help with oyster shucking, as it requires the use of a knife and some muscle to open the shells. I recommend this activity for children ages 6 and up with parental supervision.
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What to Wear for Your San Diego Oyster Tour
Importantly, wear hats, sunscreen and sunglasses because you will be in the sun. Tours operate rain or shine, so dress for the weather. I recommend bringing a sweater because evenings near the beach in Carlsbad can be chilly. The tour is on flat surfaces and no special footwear is required. When I visited, farmers were hosing down trays of shellfish nearby. If I were you, I would leave your high-end footwear at home.
Shop for Shellfish at the Carlsbad Aqua Farmers Market
At the conclusion of your tours shop merchandise, shucking knives, gloves, and seafood to go. This is the best Carlsbad seafood market for tasty oysters and mussels you can shuck at home. The market rarely sells to Carlsbad restaurants or stores. Instead, most of its supply gets sold directly to consumers.
Shop Shellfish:
- Order online or by calling 760-908-2744
- Daily curbside pickup is available from 9:00 am-4:30 pm
- Order a minimum of 2 hours in advance for curbside pick-up
- You can order a maximum of 8 days in advance
Shellfish Prices:
- Luna oysters $25/dozen (unshucked)
- Blonde oysters: $30/dozen (unshucked)
- Carlsbad mussels: $8/pound
- Sechura Bay scallops on the half shell $30/12 count, or meat-only $40/20-30 pieces
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Carlsbad Oyster Farm Tour & Shellfish FAQs:
1. Does the Oyster Tour in Carlsbad Have Parking On-site?
The Carlsbad Aquafarm has a new dirt parking lot. Parking is free for tour guests.
2. What Does the Carlsbad Aquafarm Tour Include?
Tours at Carlsbad oyster farms include a 30 minute guided discovery walk, 10 minute shucking class and oyster tasting.
3. How Long Are Carlsbad Aquafarm Tours?
The Carlsbad Aquafarm has two tour options. The guided farm discovery tour takes approximately one hour. The aquaponics gardening tour lasts about 1.5 hours.
4. What Is the Refund Policy for the Carlsbad Aquafarm Tour?
For refunds and cancellations at the Carlsbad Aquafarm, you must notify the company with 48 hours notice. To reschedule, you must notify Carlsbad Aquafarm a minimum of one hour before your scheduled tour.
5. Can Private Tours or Groups Book Events at the Carlsbad Aquafarm?
You can book private group tours, parties, and private events at the Carlsbad Aquafarm. Email the special events coordinator one month in advance at: Olivia@CarlsbadAquafarm.com or call 760-908-2744.
6. Do Shellfish Feel Pain When We Eat Them?
It is unknown with absolute certainty whether oysters and mussels feel pain. They have a nervous system and can respond to external stimuli. Unlike mammals, they have no brain as such; they have two ganglia – or masses of nerves – around their body, but not a central brain. It is presumed that oysters and mussels do not feel pain like humans do.
7. Is Alcohol Served at Carlsbad Oyster Farm Tours?
Alcohol is not served, nor is alcohol allowed at Carlsbad Aquafarm tours and tastings.
8. Are Dogs Allowed at the Carlsbad Aquafarm?
The Carlsbad Aquafarm is a dog-friendly attraction in Carlsbad and allows leashed dogs on the property. Please make sure to clean up after your pet.
9. Is the Carlsbad Aquafarm On Social Media?
The Carlsbad Aquafarm is on social media. Check them out on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube.
“The oceans not only hold the diversity of life, but they produce the oxygen that goes into the atmosphere. Aquaculture will be part of the ways that we feed the planet, and we will do it in a way that is sustainable”, said USC President Carol L. Folt.
altasea.org
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Oyster Farm Tours in Carlsbad: Final Thoughts
Carlsbad oyster farm tours are improving coastal sustainability for Carlsbad and the greater San Diego area. Your support helps ensure their mission to improve the ecological health of Carlsbad’s coastal habitats through sustainable aquaculture. Make sure to include this unique North County San Diego attraction the next time you visit Carlsbad, California.
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