Maine is famous for its incredibly tasty and fresh lobster. There’s nothing quite like enjoying tender, sweet lobster meat that was caught right off the coast of Maine. But not everyone lives close enough to get their hands on fresh Maine lobster. So can you actually have live lobster shipped from Maine no matter where you live? The answer is yes!
Thanks to modern shipping technology, it’s now possible to order live lobster online and have it shipped overnight from Maine to your doorstep. This opens up enjoying fresh-off-the-boat Maine lobster to seafood lovers across the country. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about having live lobster shipped from Maine.
Overview of Maine’s Famous Lobster Industry
Maine has a long and rich history of lobster fishing. In fact, lobsters from Maine make up about 80% of all lobsters caught in the United States. The state lands over 100 million pounds of lobster every year!
Lobsters harvested from the icy waters of the Atlantic Ocean right off the coast of Maine are renowned worldwide for their unique sweet flavor and tender texture. Connoisseurs agree that Maine lobster is the absolute best.
The secret lies in Maine’s pristine ocean environment. Lobsters here feed off the nutrient-rich waters stirred up by the cold Labrador Current. This gives them a taste that can’t be replicated anywhere else. From tiny harbor towns to cities like Portland Maine’s entire economy and culture is intertwined with lobster fishing.
When you order live Maine lobster shipped overnight to your home, you are getting lobsters harvested at the source by generations of experienced lobstermen. It allows you to tap into Maine’s incredible fresh seafood no matter where you live.
How Does Live Lobster Shipping Work?
Thanks to modern air freight systems, you can have live lobster shipped overnight from Maine’s rocky shores directly to your doorstep. Here is an overview of the live lobster shipping process:
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Lobsters are caught in traps hauled up from the ocean floor by local lobster fishermen all along the Maine coast. They are brought into coastal docks and holding facilities.
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Live lobsters are carefully packed into specially designed boxes featuring insulation and gel packs to keep them cool.
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The lobsters are driven to airports in Maine and Boston to be flown across the country overnight.
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You place your order online and select your desired delivery date.
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Your package travels by plane to your nearest major airport and is delivered by courier service like FedEx to your address.
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Your live lobsters arrive at your doorstep ready for cooking on the day you requested. Enjoy!
This process allows you to have freshly caught Maine lobsters delivered to your home in California, Texas, Florida or almost anywhere else in 24 hours or less. It brings you the freshest seafood from source to table no matter where you live.
Benefits of Having Live Lobster Shipped
Why order live lobster instead of frozen lobster meat or tails? Here are some of the biggest benefits:
Quality
Live shipping means the lobsters arrive still alive, which guarantees you are getting the absolute freshest lobster possible. The meat will have superior texture and flavor compared to frozen options which can lose moisture in freezing.
Convenience
No need to live near the coast! Having live lobster shipped means you can enjoy fresh seafood without leaving home. It’s delivered right to your door.
Variety
Ordering live lobster gives you full flexibility. Get whole lobsters, just the tails, or picked lobster meat in whatever amount you need.
Experience
Cooking your own live lobster is fun and memorable. The process of preparing a whole fresh lobster makes for an impressive presentation.
Sustainability
The Maine lobster fishery is a model of sustainable harvesting. Having lobster shipped directly supports generational lobstermen.
There’s simply no substitute for fresh live lobster. So no matter where you live, you can partake in this iconic Maine delicacy.
How to Order Live Lobster Shipped Overnight from Maine
Ordering live lobsters online shipped overnight from Maine to your home is easy. Here is a step-by-step guide:
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Find a reputable live seafood delivery company. Make sure they clearly state they ship live lobsters overnight from Maine, not a warehouse. Read reviews and check their practices.
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Pick your lobsters. Select the number of lobsters you want and their size. Options may include hard shell or soft shell.
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Choose a delivery date. Pick your ideal arrival date for the shipment. Most companies ship Tuesday through Saturday.
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Select any additional seafood. Some companies offer deals on shrimp, scallops etc to complete your order.
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Check out. Enter your shipping address and payment information and process your order!
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Wait for delivery. Track your package so you know when to expect your live lobsters.
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Enjoy! Follow cooking instructions and dig into the sweetest lobster you’ve ever tasted.
Be sure to order by the recommended time (usually 12 pm Eastern) the day prior to your desired delivery date. Reputable shippers also guarantee your satisfaction in case of any issues.
What to Look for in a Lobster Delivery Company
If you want the highest-quality live lobsters from Maine delivered to your door, make sure to research lobster delivery companies thoroughly. Here are the key things to look for:
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Located in Maine – The company should have direct ties to Maine harbors and develop relationships with local lobstermen. This ensures the freshest catch.
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History of experience – Look for many years (ideally decades) of experience in live lobster shipping. This expertise results in happy customers.
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Live shipping – The company should ship live lobsters packed with gel packs to maintain temperature, not frozen or frozen-then-thawed.
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Overnight delivery – To guarantee quality, the lobsters should ship overnight from Maine via air freight.
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Good reviews – Check reviews from verified buyers to learn about others’ experiences with timely delivery and lobster quality.
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Customer service – The company should be reachable by phone, email, and chat in case any issues arise.
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Ordering ease – The website should make ordering simple with guidance on sizes, delivery days, etc.
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Delivery range – A reputable company will deliver live lobster overnight to any U.S. address.
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Guarantee – Money-back guarantees give you confidence in the quality of the product and service.
By researching Maine lobster delivery companies against these criteria, you can ensure you’ll have an amazing experience with fresh lobsters shipped from Maine to your table.
How Much Does Live Lobster Overnight Shipping Cost?
The cost of having live Maine lobster shipped overnight depends on a few factors:
- Lobster sizes – Larger lobsters generally cost more per pound. Prices may range anywhere from $15 to $25+ per pound.
- Order quantity – Delivery cost is spread over total order weight. Ordering more lobsters lowers the per-lobster price.
- Company – Delivery fees vary between different lobster shippers.
- Shipping distance – Orders shipping farther may have higher delivery fees.
- Delivery date – Weekend or last-minute delivery may cost extra.
To get an accurate price:
- Pick the size and quantity of lobsters you want.
- Enter your zip code to calculate shipping cost.
- See the total price before checkout.
Expect to pay $30 to $60 per live lobster for standard overnight delivery, depending on size. This brings incredibly fresh seafood from Maine coast to coast.
When is Lobster Season in Maine?
You can get live lobsters shipped from Maine year-round! Here are some seasonal considerations:
- Summer – More abundant catches mean lower prices. A great time for feasts with multiple lobsters.
- Fall – Cooler weather and beautiful fall foliage make it perfect for cooking rich, hearty dishes featuring lobster.
- Winter – Lobster fishing slows but still goes through winter. Enjoy a taste of summer during cold months.
- Spring – As waters warm, lobsters become more active and fishing picks up again.
While you can order lobster any time, Maine’s peak lobstering season is from June-August. These summer months see the largest harvests and lowest costs. The winter season from December-March has the lightest catches.
Ordering in season allows you to get the most abundant and affordable Maine lobsters! However, thanks to modern aquaculture technologies like underwater pens, you can enjoy delicious live lobsters from Maine all year long.
Do’s and Don’ts of Ordering Live Lobster Delivery
To ensure the optimal experience having fresh lobster shipped from Maine, follow these do’s and don’ts:
Do:
- Order from a reputable
What’s Safe To Eat On A Lobster:
Are the eggs inside the tail edible? Yes. However, if the eggs are black, it means your lobster isnt cooked enough. Make sure the lobster is cooked until the eggs turn red. Red eggs, also known as “lobster caviar,” taste great and are safe to eat.
“What about the green stuff?” you ask. That’s lobster liver, which is between the tail and the body. Many people love it and consider it a delicacy. Some do not like it and discard it.
What’s that white stuff on lobster meat? That’s lobster fat that can stick to the meat. It is normal and can be eaten or discarded. Put cooked lobster meat in a bath of salty water and gently rub it off. This is a great way to get rid of the fat if you’re saving the meat for later use.
We recommend enjoying your lobsters the same-day you receive them. But what if you get the lobsters on Friday and your event is on Monday? How do you keep them alive for three days?
Answer: You don’t! You “Blanch” them. Some very smart chefs have found a way to keep live Maine lobsters fresh for longer than three days. They will still taste like they just came from the ocean.
Blanching is easy:
- When you boil water, add 1 tablespoon of sea salt for every 2 quarts of water.
- Place lobsters in boiling water. Best to do 2 at a time for optimal blanching.
- Cook for 2 minutes ⏲. This is just long enough for the lobster meat to get a little brown and separate from the shell.
- Set up an ice bath for the lobsters.
- Put lobsters in an ice bath for 10 minutes after cooking for 2 minutes.
Then, depending upon when you want to serve your lobsters:
- In less than 48 hours, wrap it in kitchen towels.
- Post 48 hours to 3 weeks: Wrap up
WILD CAUGHT BY HAND, SUSTAINABLY HARVESTED
It wasn’t until 1872 that the first law was passed to protect the Maine Lobster fishery’s resources for future generations. Maine lobsters are caught by hand from small day boats. We’re proud to be part of this heritage.
Unboxing Live Lobster Shipped From Maine
FAQ
How much is it to ship live lobster?
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Total Order Amount
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2nd Day
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Priority
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Up to $24.99
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$29.00
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$39.00
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$25.00 – $49.99
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$32.00
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$42.00
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$50.00 – $74.99
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$35.00
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$45.00
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$75.00 – $99.99
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$38.00
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$48.00
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What is the price of lobster in Maine right now?
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Lobster Size
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Price
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1 1/2 lbs
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$33.99$28.99
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1 3/4 – 2 lbs
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$39.99$34.99
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2 – 2 1/2 lbs
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$48.99$43.99
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2 1/2 – 3 lbs
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$55.99$51.99
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Can You ship a live lobster to Maine?
No matter where you live in the United States, you can experience Maine like never before with our home delivery service. You can choose the exact date you want your lobster to be delivered to your front door. Order your live lobsters for home delivery today through our secure website now. “Can you really ship a live Maine lobster to me?”
Can you order Maine lobster online?
A party or get together is the perfect time to serve fresh lobster from Maine Lobster Now. No matter what size you ultimately decide to order, you won’t be disappointed with your Maine lobster, and neither will your guests. Free overnight shipping on orders over $150. Order live Maine lobster online, shipped direct from Maine.
Does live lobster ship same day?
Live Lobsterorders ship via Priority Overnight or Next Day Air service. You will select your delivery date from the calendar at checkout. The cut off time for a Live Lobster order to be shipped the same day is 9:00am Eastern Standard Time. Orders placed on Monday thru Friday can ship same-day if placed before 9am ET.
How do live lobster orders ship?
Shipping Details Live Lobsterorders ship via Priority Overnight or Next Day Air service. You will select your delivery date from the calendar at checkout. The cut off time for a Live Lobster order to be shipped the same day is 9:00am Eastern Standard Time.