(508) 432-5400 Reserve
Informational sign about oyster upwellers and oyster farming is displayed on a white surface next to equipment, including white tubing, with sunlight casting shadows.

The Oyster Upweller

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Experiences Overview

By the Wequassett Dock
Call: (508) 432-5400

Located at the Wequassett dock, our oyster upweller offers guests a unique opportunity to witness coastal conservation in action.

A woman in a white outfit stands beside a container holding several white buckets, near a dock by the water, while another person looks on.

Developed in partnership with the Massachusetts Oyster Project, this living classroom nurtures thousands of baby oysters, known as spat, as they grow in the nutrient-rich waters of Pleasant Bay before being transplanted to local restoration sites, helping restore native oyster reefs and support a healthier coastal ecosystem.

More than just an incubator, the upweller demonstrates the remarkable role oysters play in supporting healthy marine ecosystems. As natural filter feeders, oysters help improve water quality by filtering nutrients from the surrounding water while also creating habitat for countless marine species.

Guests are invited to stop by the dock to learn about the oyster growing process and discover how these small shellfish make a lasting impact on the health and resilience of our coastline.

Logo for Massachusetts Oyster Project featuring an oyster illustration and bold text on a rectangular background, reflecting the project’s commitment to shellfish aquaculture and inspiring awareness of oyster farming.

Massachusetts Oyster Project

Our partnership with the Massachusetts Oyster Project reflects Wequassett’s ongoing commitment to preserving the natural beauty of Cape Cod for generations to come, connecting guests with the waters that define our destination through meaningful, hands-on environmental stewardship.

Learn more about the Massachusetts Oyster Project
A diagram showing the oyster shell recycling process: eaten oysters, collection bucket, cleaned shells, and shells returned to the water—sometimes passing through an Oyster Upweller—forming a continuous cycle.

Shell Recycling

As part of our partnership with the Massachusetts Oyster Project, Wequassett’s restaurants proudly recycle oyster shells to help restore Cape Cod’s oyster reefs. After each shell is collected and cured, it is returned to local waters, where it provides the ideal surface for young oysters to attach and grow. This simple yet impactful initiative helps rebuild marine habitats, improve water quality, and reflects our commitment to preserving the coastal ecosystem that surrounds our resort.

Learn more about Shell Recycling
A white chest freezer with a padlock sits in front of a wooden dock overlooking a calm body of water, home to oyster farming activities and boats in the distance on a clear, sunny day.

Q&A

Oysters are natural filter feeders that remove excess nutrients and particles from the water as they feed. Healthy oyster reefs also create habitat for fish, crabs, and other marine life while helping protect coastal ecosystems.

In partnership with the Massachusetts Oyster Project, Wequassett recycles oyster shells from our restaurants and hosts an on-site Oyster Upweller, where guests can learn how oysters are cultivated and why they are essential to the health of Cape Cod’s coastal waters.

Yes. Guests are welcome to visit the Oyster Upweller at our dock to learn about oyster restoration, and can also book our Coastal Hatchery Tour for a behind the scenes look at shellfish cultivation and conservation on Cape Cod.