Where to Buy Live Dungeness Crab Near Me

Dungeness crab is a popular shellfish found off the West Coast of North America. Prized for its sweet, succulent meat, Dungeness crab is a delicious treat. If you live on the West Coast and want to enjoy fresh Dungeness crab, you may wonder where you can buy live crab near your location. In this article, I’ll share some tips on where to find live Dungeness crab for sale close to home.

Check Local Seafood Markets

One of the best places to find freshly caught, live Dungeness crab is your local fish market or seafood store. Many seafood markets located near coastal areas sell live Dungeness crab when they are in season. The crab is delivered directly from the fishing boats, so you know it is as fresh as can be.

Some good seafood markets to check are Pacific Seafood, Pike Place Fish Market in Seattle, and Venice Seafood in California. Make sure to call ahead to see if they have live Dungeness crab available and confirm their seasonal availability. Dec-May is peak Dungeness crab season on the West Coast.

Look for Live Crab Tank Trucks

Another great option for buying live Dungeness crab is to locate one of the live crab tank trucks that drive inland from the coast. During peak crab season, trucks hauling large tanks full of freshly caught live Dungeness crab travel from coastal ports and sell the crab in inland cities and towns.

The live crab is super fresh, often caught the same day Watch for announcements on social media or sign up for email alerts to find out when the crab trucks are coming to your area I’ve bought fresh live Dungeness crab this way in cities like Sacramento and Portland.

Order Live Crab Online

Thanks to overnight shipping, it’s now possible to order live Dungeness crab online and have it delivered to your door Companies like Pacific Dream Seafoods located in Anacortes, Washington will expertly package live crab in insulated boxes with gel packs to keep the crab cold

The live Dungeness crab is caught fresh from the Pacific Northwest and shipped overnight so it arrives lively and delicious. Just remember to order 1-2 days before you want the crab to account for shipping time. This is a great option if you aren’t located near a coastal city.

Check with Local Fishermen

If you live in a coastal town or city, another option is to check directly with local fishermen to see if they have live crab for sale off their boats. Many small fishing boats will sell crab right off the dock when they return from a trip.

This is an especially good option if you want the absolute freshest crab possible. You may need to be flexible on exactly when you can get the crab, as timing depends on when the fishing boats return to port.

Buy from the Docks

Related to buying directly from fishermen, some coastal towns will have designated dock areas where you can buy live Dungeness crab direct from the source.

For example, Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco is famous for selling fresh live Dungeness crab. If you live near a harbor town, search for “crab docks” to find a reputable dock that sells freshly caught live crab. This is a fun experience and you know you are getting crab right off the boat.

Check Asian Markets

Many Asian grocery stores and seafood markets, especially those catering to Chinese and Vietnamese communities, stock live Dungeness crab when they are in season.

These specialty markets are great places to check for live Dungeness crab, and they often sell them for a lower price than you’ll find in bigger chain stores. Ask when their next live crab shipment is expected to get the freshest picks.

Look for Live Crab at Restaurant Tanks

Some higher-end seafood restaurants keep live Dungeness crab in tanks on site before preparing them for customers. See if any reputable local seafood restaurants in your area offer live crab tanks. This can be a convenient way to pick up fresh live crab for cooking at home.

Call ahead to see if they have crab available for retail sale to take home. Many restaurants are willing to sell live crab from their tanks at retail pricing. This ensures the crab you take home is as fresh as possible.

Order from Online Seafood Delivery Services

In recent years, online companies selling premium seafood with home delivery have proliferated. Businesses like Seattle Fish Co and Sea to Table let you order live Dungeness crab online and deliver it on ice to your address.

It’s an easy option, though shipping costs can be high. Make sure to factor the shipping cost into your order budget when going this convenient delivery route. Overnight shipping is recommended.

Catch Your Own

Finally, if you have access to the coast, you can always catch Dungeness crab yourself! Recreational crab fishing is a popular and fun activity on the West Coast during crab season from December to early summer.

You’ll need to get the proper fishing license and gear for your state. Check regulations and make sure crabbing is open before dropping your pots. Cooking up your fresh catch is an amazing and rewarding experience.

So there you have it – my tips on where and how to buy fresh, live Dungeness crab if you live on the West Coast. From seafood markets to online delivery, you have many options to get your hands on delicious, succulent Dungeness crab. Eating this tender sweet crab fresh from the ocean is an amazing treat.