What we’ll do

Samish Island’s tide flats offer a fun opportunity to forage for horse clams. Because these large clams live deeper beneath the surface, digging is a little more involved than on our Birch Bay trip, but no previous experience is needed.

• Meet on the beach: We’ll begin with a brief introduction before heading onto the tide flats.

• Learn the habitat: Discover where horse clams live and how to recognize their shows.

• Know the rules: We’ll cover daily limits and responsible harvesting practices.

• Dig for clams: Learn how to stabilize the sediment and carefully uncover clams from their deeper burrows.

• Prepare your catch: We’ll cover cleaning, handling, and simple preparation ideas.

Pricing

Introductory pricing for our inaugural season:

• Adult: $49

• Youth (Ages 12–18): $25

Gear and details

All you need to bring is a Washington State Shellfish License (ages 15+) and warm layers with rain boots or water shoes. On chilly or windy days, a jacket and beanie are key.

We provide the rest:

• Hand rakes and harvest gloves

• Mesh catch bags

• A 5-gallon bucket to purge your clams (you get to keep it)

• A bottomless 5-gallon bucket to stabilize the surrounding sediment and help prevent the hole from collapsing while you dig.

Age requirement & licensing:

• Open to ages 12 and up.

• Kids under 15 do not need a shellfish license.

• Each harvester must actively participate in digging their own catch and keep their harvest in a separate container.

Meeting point:Samish Island Recreation Area

Trips are subject to safe tides and current WDFW and Department of Health beach status, which may change between booking and the trip date.