Westcott Bay Shellfish Company
Westcott Bay Shellfish: A Working Oyster Farm on San Juan Island
Westcott Bay Shellfish sits about 20 minutes from Friday Harbor, and it might be the best lunch stop on San Juan Island. This is a working, family-run aquaculture farm where oysters, clams, and mussels grow right in the tidelands of Westcott Bay. You can sit beside the water, order a plate of oysters pulled from yards away, and watch the farm crew tend the beds while you eat. Few island outings combine food and place this directly.
The farm has roots going back to the late 1970s, when Westcott Bay first built a name for its oysters. That original operation eventually fell into disrepair, and by 2013 the five-acre property was neglected and its shellfish stocks depleted. Erik and Andrea Anderson, who lived nearby on Henry Island, bought the farm that September with the goal of bringing it back. Neither had shellfish farming experience. What followed was years of rebuilding infrastructure and replanting oysters, clams, and mussels from the ground up. Their work turned the property into the Westcott Bay Shellfish Co. you can visit today, complete with a farm store, seasonal dining, and a clear focus on environmental stewardship.
Oysters are the main event. The farm grows several varieties, including High Beach Sweets, a Pacific oyster known for a sweet flavor and light brine, and Olympia oysters, called Little Olys, a smaller, slower-growing variety that takes about five years to reach harvest size. You can order them raw on the half shell or grilled and topped with house-made compound butters. Flavors rotate with the seasons and have included herb, lemon, and garlic; lime, cilantro, and sriracha; and chipotle bourbon. If oysters aren’t your thing, the menu also covers farm-raised clams and mussels along with salads, bread, and sandwiches, so there’s something for every palate in your group. You can also buy shellfish to take home and grill later.
Where to Eat: Tide Tables or the Net Shed
Westcott Bay Shellfish offers two distinct dining setups depending on the season and the experience you want.
During the warmer months, Tide Tables is the spot. The outdoor tables sit right beside the water, overlooking the cultivated tidelands where the farm grows its shellfish. Reservations are strongly recommended in peak season, since walk-in space runs limited. If your idea of a great San Juan Island lunch means fresh oysters, a picnic table by the water, and time to watch the tide move, this is where to be.
The Net Shed is the more casual option and a good fallback when Tide Tables is full or the weather turns. Seating is first come, first served in this rustic, sheltered building, and it’s a smart choice outside the height of summer when Northwest weather can shift quickly.
For a deeper look at the operation, the farm also offers guided tours that run about two hours, covering the harvest process, a shucking lesson, and lunch at Tide Tables. Reservations are required when tours are offered.
Getting to Westcott Bay Shellfish
From Friday Harbor, plan on a 20-minute drive northwest to 904 Westcott Drive, near Roche Harbor Road. Park near the farm entrance and follow the path down to the waterfront. Hikers can also reach the farm from English Camp, which makes it easy to pair a shellfish lunch with a morning at the national historical park. Boaters can dock directly, though the dock allows boats up to 20 feet and requires bow-tie docking.
Westcott Bay pairs naturally with a full day on San Juan Island. Start the morning with breakfast at Tucker House Inn or Harrison House Suites, spend a few hours at Roche Harbor or English Camp, then head to the farm for lunch. Order oysters raw and grilled, add clams or mussels, and take the shoreline walk afterward if you have time. Cap the day with dinner at Coho Restaurant, our sister property just a block from the Inn, where local ingredients get the same hands-on treatment. Our San Juan Island Bed and Breakfast is built for exactly this kind of day. Book your room today and start planning your Westcott Bay Shellfish visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Westcott Bay Shellfish known for?
Westcott Bay Shellfish is a working oyster farm known for its High Beach Sweets and Olympia oysters, served fresh from the tidelands where they’re grown, along with farm-raised clams and mussels.
How far is Westcott Bay Shellfish from Friday Harbor?
It’s about a 20-minute drive from Friday Harbor to the farm at 904 Westcott Drive, near Roche Harbor Road.
Do you need a reservation for Westcott Bay Shellfish?
Reservations are strongly recommended for Tide Tables during peak season. The Net Shed operates on a first-come, first-served basis.
Can you tour the oyster farm?
Yes. Westcott Bay Shellfish offers guided farm tours, roughly two hours long, that include a look at the harvest process, a shucking lesson, and lunch. Reservations are required when tours are running.