Maine lobster is famous for its sweet tender meat and that true lobster flavor. There’s nothing quite like cracking open a freshly steamed lobster straight from the cold Atlantic waters of Maine. But unless you live near the coast, it can be hard to find high-quality live Maine lobster to enjoy at home.
Luckily, thanks to overnight shipping, you can now order fresh live Maine lobster online and have it delivered right to your door. Buying lobster online from a reputable company ensures you receive the real deal – wild-caught lobsters shipped overnight after being caught off the Maine coast.
In this article I’ll cover everything you need to know about buying lobster online and recommend the best places to order fresh live Maine lobster delivered nationwide.
Why Buy Live Maine Lobster Online?
Buying live lobster online offers several advantages over picking up lobster from your local store
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Access to premium lobster – The best lobsters come straight from the Maine coast. Online retailers have direct relationships with Maine lobster fishermen.
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Convenience – Lobster gets delivered right to your door, so you don’t have to make a trip to the store.
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Overnight shipping – Lobsters ship overnight with frozen gel packs to keep them cold. This preserves freshness.
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Live lobsters – Online retailers ship hard-shell live lobsters instead of previously frozen. Live lobster has better texture and flavor.
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Large selection – Order exactly what you want – lobster tails, whole lobsters, lobster meat, etc. Local stores may have limited selection.
What to Look For in an Online Lobster Company
To ensure you get the best tasting lobsters, choose a company that:
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Sources lobsters direct from Maine fishermen
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Ships hard-shell live lobsters instead of frozen
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Packs lobsters in insulated boxes with frozen gel packs
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Offers overnight FedEx shipping to ensure freshness
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Has a live arrival guarantee and easy returns if any issues
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Provides support with cooking instructions and recipes
I also recommend reading reviews from other customers to help identify the most reputable lobster delivery companies.
The Best Places to Order Live Maine Lobster Online
Here are my top picks for buying live lobster online based on reputation, sourcing, shipping methods and customer reviews:
1. Maine Lobster Now
Maine Lobster Now is my #1 choice for live lobster delivery online. They source lobsters direct from Maine fishermen and ship hard-shell live lobsters overnight nationwide.
I like that they have a live arrival guarantee. Their customer service is also excellent in case any issues come up with an order.
They offer a great selection beyond just live lobsters – you can also order cooked lobster meat, lobster tails, lobster rolls kits and more.
Maine Lobster Now has thousands of 5-star reviews confirming the quality of their lobsters and service. This is my go-to for sending fresh live Maine lobster as a gift or to enjoy a lobster feast at home.
2. Luke’s Lobster
Luke’s Lobster is another excellent option for live lobster delivery. Their lobsters also ship direct from Maine overnight.
They have various lobster packages to choose from. I recommend the live 1.25-1.5 pound lobsters. You can order 2, 4, 6 or more at a time.
Luke’s has a big selection beyond lobster too including crab, shrimp, clams, oysters and lobster bisque. Their seafood is sustainably sourced and they’re a certified B Corp committed to ethical practices.
While pricier than Maine Lobster Now, Luke’s does have a loyal customer base thanks to their quality standards. Expect good things if you order live lobster through them.
3. Lobster Anywhere
Lobster Anywhere offers live lobsters sourced from both Maine and Canada. Their shipping methods help preserve freshness.
One unique option is you can build your own lobster package. This allows you to customize exactly what size lobsters and sides you want.
They also have prepared lobster like meat, tails, rolls, bisque and mac and cheese to add variety beyond just live lobsters.
I suggest double checking your delivery date with their customer service team if ordering live lobsters. Reviews are mixed but generally positive when orders arrive as expected.
Ordering Your Live Lobster Online
Once you’ve selected a vendor, here are some tips for placing your live lobster order online:
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Choose your size – 1-1.25 lb lobsters are good for single servings. Order larger 1.5+ lb lobsters to serve 2 or for heartier appetites.
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Pick hard shell or new shell – New shell lobsters have recently molted with softer shells. Hard shells are classic.
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Add on sides like lobster tails, crab, shrimp, corn and potatoes.
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Double check the delivery date to ensure someone will be home to receive the package.
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Pick overnight weekday delivery to avoid packages sitting over weekends.
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Pre-heat your oven or get your lobster pot ready! Steaming or baking works best.
Enjoy Your Fresh Lobster Feast!
There’s nothing better than cracking into perfectly cooked lobster from the Maine coast. Thanks to online lobster delivery, you can now enjoy fresh lobster no matter where you live.
I recommend choosing Maine Lobster Now, Luke’s Lobster or Lobster Anywhere for the best selection and quality. Order live lobsters online for your next special occasion or just because. With proper overnight shipping, you’ll be amazed at how fresh lobster can taste when enjoyed right from your own kitchen.
Hungry Eaters Love Luke’s
We ordered lobsters for a Saturday party. Lobsters were delivered ON TIME and tasted amazingly fresh. Customer service was so helpful and made this a painless transaction. Will definitely use Luke’s again! M.
The lobsters got to Arizona on time and stayed alive in our fridge for a little more than 24 hours! They were delicious, and we steamed them for a great dinner party!
Lobster was great, nice to have prep and cooking instructions included in the shipment. I had one question and Sam at Luke’s was very helpful.
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Large Lobster Tails – 6/7oz Each
Lobster Bisque – Serves 4
Lobster Mac & Cheese – Serves 4
Lobster Roll Bundle – Serves 4
Select Your Seafood
Select your favorite seafood or gift packs and add to your cart.
Pick Your Delivery Date
Choose a delivery date, from Tuesday to Saturday. Keep in mind that orders may arrive as late as 9PM.
Quick 1-Day Shipping
Seafood arrives 1 day after the order is shipped. Live lobster ships free.
Prepare & Enjoy!
Unbox, prepare, and enjoy a taste of Maine. Frozen seafood will require 16-24 hours to thaw in your refrigerator before preparation.