There’s something deeply satisfying about buying seafood directly from the people who pulled it from the water that morning. On the southwestern Washington coast, that experience isn’t reserved for special occasions — it’s an everyday reality. From family-run oyster farms on Willapa Bay to bustling fish markets at the Westport Marina, the area around Grayland offers some of the freshest, most flavorful seafood you’ll find anywhere on the Pacific coast.
Whether you’re looking for live Dungeness crab to steam in your cottage kitchen, plump oysters straight from the bay, or a jar of smoked salmon to bring home as a souvenir, our guide to the best seafood markets near Grayland and Westport will point you in the right direction.
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Brady’s Oysters: Four Generations on Willapa Bay
If there’s one seafood stop that defines the Washington coast experience, it’s Brady’s Oysters. This family operation has been farming oysters in Willapa Bay for four generations, and their commitment to quality has made them a destination for seafood lovers from across the Pacific Northwest.
Brady’s uses a suspended culture method for growing their oysters — the oysters hang in mesh bags or trays suspended above the bay floor rather than resting on the bottom. This technique produces remarkably clean shells, consistent sizes, and plump, well-shaped meat with a pure, briny flavor that captures the essence of Willapa Bay.
The retail shop at Brady’s is stocked with freshly shucked oysters (sold by the jar), oysters in the shell, smoked salmon, and other local products. The staff is knowledgeable and happy to offer cooking suggestions — ask them about the best way to prepare their oysters if you’re planning to cook in your cottage. We love a simple pan fry with butter, a squeeze of lemon, and a cold glass of white wine while watching the sunset from the porch.
Brady’s is located south of Grayland along Willapa Bay, about a 25-minute drive from Ocean Spray Beach Resort. It pairs perfectly with a day trip to Tokeland — stop at Brady’s on your way to or from the Tokeland Hotel for lunch at the Wandering Goose Restaurant.
Seafood Connection: Live Crab at the Westport Marina
For the freshest Dungeness crab on the coast, head to Seafood Connection on Float 8 at the Westport Marina. This market sits right on the docks where the fishing boats tie up, and the crab they sell is about as close to the source as you can get without pulling the pots yourself.
Seafood Connection offers both live and cooked crab, so you can choose your adventure. Live crab is perfect if you want the full experience of cooking it yourself — bring a big pot of salted water to a boil, drop the crab in for 15 to 18 minutes, and you’ve got a feast. If you prefer convenience, their pre-cooked and cleaned crab is ready to crack and eat immediately. Grab a container of melted butter and a roll of paper towels, spread some newspaper on the picnic table, and you’ve got the quintessential coastal dinner.
Beyond crab, Seafood Connection carries whatever the fleet has been bringing in — fresh salmon during season, halibut, rockfish, shrimp, and more. The selection changes with the seasons and the catch, which is part of the charm. You’re eating what the ocean is providing right now, not what a distributor shipped from somewhere else.
The marina is just a 15-minute drive from our resort, making it an easy stop before heading back for the evening. If you’re interested in catching your own, check out our guide to crabbing in Westport.
Merino’s Seafood Market: Canned & Fresh Treasures
Merino’s Seafood Market in Westport is the kind of place where you walk in planning to buy one thing and walk out with a bag full of treasures. This well-stocked market carries an impressive range of both fresh and preserved seafood, making it a great stop whether you’re cooking tonight or stocking up on gifts and pantry items to bring home.
Their selection of canned seafood is a standout. Locally canned tuna — albacore caught by the Westport fleet — is a revelation if you’ve only ever had the mass-produced stuff. Rich, meaty, and packed in quality oil, it’s perfect for sandwiches, pasta, or straight from the can with crackers. They also carry canned crab, salmon, and smoked oysters, all sourced from local waters.
On the fresh side, Merino’s keeps a rotating selection of whatever’s in season — Dungeness crab, salmon, shrimp, and various bottom fish. Their smoked fish selection is excellent, with smoked salmon, smoked albacore, and jerky-style fish snacks that are perfect for beach picnics or the drive home. Canned seafood from Merino’s makes a wonderful gift — compact, shelf-stable, and genuinely delicious.
Fisherman’s Boardwalk: Buy from the Boats
One of the most memorable seafood experiences on the Washington coast doesn’t happen in a market at all — it happens on the docks. The Fisherman’s Boardwalk at the Westport Marina lets you walk right alongside the working fishing fleet, where you can watch boats unload their catch and, in many cases, buy directly from the fishermen.
During crab season (typically December through September, with the heaviest activity in winter and spring), you’ll see commercial crab boats stacked with pots, their decks piled with freshly pulled Dungeness crab. During salmon season, charter boats return in the afternoon with their clients’ catch, and the cleaning stations buzz with activity. Some boats sell directly from the dock — look for handwritten signs or just ask. Fishermen are generally happy to sell their catch and even happier to talk about their day on the water.
Walking the boardwalk is an experience in itself, even if you don’t buy anything. The sights, sounds, and smells of a working fishing harbor are captivating — gulls wheeling overhead, diesel engines rumbling, the clank of crab pots being stacked, and the salt-air tang of fresh fish. It’s a working waterfront that hasn’t been sanitized for tourists, and that authenticity is what makes it special.
For more on everything there is to see and do at the marina, check out our complete guide to things to do at the Westport Marina.
What’s in Season: A Seafood Calendar
The Washington coast’s seafood bounty changes with the seasons, and knowing what’s at peak freshness helps you make the most of your market visits.
Winter (December–February): Dungeness crab season is in full swing, and this is when the crab is at its sweetest and most abundant. Razor clam digging seasons often open in winter as well — check our razor clam guide for details.
Spring (March–May): Crab season continues strong. Oysters are excellent year-round but especially plump in cooler months. Spot shrimp begin appearing at markets. This is also a great time for spring activities in Grayland.
Summer (June–August): Salmon season brings chinook, coho, and sockeye to the docks. Albacore tuna arrives in July and August when the warm currents bring these powerful fish within range of the Westport fleet. Halibut seasons open in limited windows. Enjoy your catch alongside all the other summer activities at Grayland Beach.
Fall (September–November): Late salmon runs continue into fall. Crab season reopens after a brief summer closure. Oysters remain available. The fall cranberry harvest adds a festive backdrop to your seafood adventures.
Cooking Your Catch: Tips for Cottage Kitchens
One of the best things about staying at Ocean Spray Beach Resort is that our cottages come equipped with full kitchens. That means you can bring your market finds home and cook a meal that rivals any restaurant — using ingredients that were in the ocean hours ago.
Here are some of our favorite simple preparations:
Dungeness Crab: Boil live crab in heavily salted water for 15–18 minutes. Clean and crack. Serve with melted butter, lemon wedges, and crusty bread. That’s it. Perfection doesn’t need complication.
Pan-Fried Oysters: Dredge freshly shucked oysters in seasoned flour or cornmeal. Pan fry in butter over medium-high heat until golden, about 2 minutes per side. Squeeze lemon over the top. Serve immediately.
Grilled Salmon: Season a fresh salmon fillet with salt, pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil. Grill skin-side down for about 8 minutes, then flip briefly to finish. The fish should flake easily but still be moist in the center.
Steamed Clams: After a razor clam dig, clean your clams at our on-site clam shack, then steam them in white wine, garlic, and butter. Serve in bowls with the broth for dipping bread.
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The Clam Shack at Ocean Spray Beach Resort
Speaking of clams — our resort has a dedicated clam cleaning shack on the property, and our guests love it. After a morning of razor clam digging on the beach, you can bring your catch directly to the shack, clean them at the outdoor stations, and have them ready for cooking in minutes. It’s one of those small touches that makes a beach vacation feel complete.
The clam shack has running water, cleaning surfaces, and everything you need to process your harvest. If you’re new to cleaning razor clams, don’t worry — other guests and our staff are always happy to show you the technique. It’s a social spot where clam-digging stories get swapped and cooking tips get shared.
Beyond the Markets: Seafood Restaurants
If you’d rather let someone else do the cooking, the Grayland and Westport area has excellent seafood restaurants that source directly from the local fleet. From casual fish and chips at the marina to refined seafood dinners at the Tokeland Hotel’s Wandering Goose Restaurant, you’ll find outstanding meals at every price point.
For the best of both worlds, buy fresh seafood at the market for dinner one night and treat yourself to a restaurant meal the next. That way you experience the full range of what the coast’s seafood scene has to offer.
Tips for Buying Fresh Seafood
Bring a cooler. This is the most important tip. A cooler with ice in your car means you can buy seafood early in the day and keep it fresh while you continue exploring. Without a cooler, you’ll need to head straight back to your cottage.
Ask what came in today. Market staff know exactly what’s freshest. The best approach is to ask what arrived that morning and build your meal around whatever they recommend.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Not sure how to cook something? Ask. Market vendors on the Washington coast are passionate about seafood and genuinely enjoy sharing cooking tips and recipe ideas.
Check your limits. If you’re harvesting your own clams, crab, or fish, make sure you have the proper licenses and know the current limits and seasons. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife website has up-to-date regulations.
Ship it home. Several markets offer packing and shipping services if you want to send seafood to friends and family. Brady’s Oysters and Merino’s both ship, and there’s nothing quite like receiving a box of fresh Dungeness crab at your doorstep.
Fresh Seafood and a Beach Cottage: The Perfect Pairing
A seafood market run is one of the highlights of any stay on the Washington coast, and having a full kitchen waiting for you makes it even better. Our cottages at Ocean Spray Beach Resort have everything you need to transform your fresh catch into a memorable meal — stove, oven, pots, pans, dishes, and a dining area where you can enjoy your creation with the people you love.
There’s a special kind of satisfaction in sitting down to a dinner of crab you bought off the dock that afternoon, oysters you picked up at Brady’s, and a salad from the local farm stand — all prepared in your own cottage kitchen, with the sound of the waves drifting through the open window. That’s the Washington coast experience at its finest.
Planning a trip to Grayland or Westport? Ocean Spray Beach Resort offers cozy beach cottages and tiny homes just steps from the Pacific Ocean. Check availability and book your stay today.
