Whalebone Seafood Market

Staff is amazing! We tried the Tuna, Swordfish and shrimp. Everything was fresh and delicious. Had them pack up some fish to bring home. Wish they would have wrapped it better but my fault for not double checking before the ride home. Can’t wait to visit again.

I bought 5 pounds of shrimp today after the staff assured me they were FRESH, this season, and not previously frozen. I had them steam/​spice 2 lbs for me to eat tonight. After chilling them in my YETI cooler on ice with great anticipation of delicious steamed shrimp for dinner, I am so disappointed to find them MUSHY! I don’t know whether they have been over cooked or previously frozen, but I am disappointed to say the least! I shared them with my family and have another 3 pounds that I fear will be even worse after I freeze them for later use.
Last season I had a similar experience, but felt it wasn’t fair to judge this seafood monger on what was perhaps just a «bad day». Sadly, I won’t go back again.
The young man behind the counter was nice so I’m giving them one star for customer service.

Very good service. Blue Crabs was awesome! Very professional. We ordered a bushel and all crabs was well cooked and pretty large. We paid $ 160 for a bushel and it was more than we could eat for dinner for two families.

I gave 2 stars cause the seafood looked and smelled fresh. They have a sign that says why does local seafood cost so much, maybe you should ask why foreign seafood cost so little. This place is why over priced. With being so close to the docks you would think shrimp wouldn’t cost 13 to 15 a pound, or crabs 70 to 80 a half bushel. That is more them at home prices. Save yourself time and drive over the bridge to the real fish markets.

This was some of the best fresh seafood I have ever had. We bought lump crabmeat, shrimp, crab legs, clams, and scallops. We had them steam the shrimp, clams, and crab legs for us and we cooked the rest back at the condo. Everything was perfect. The staff were really helpful and very nice. I’m so glad we decided to try this place this year. Will definitely be our go to place for fresh seafood.

Staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Great selection of very fresh seafood. We are crab snobs and were totally satisfied with our half bushel.

I can’t recommend this place enough if you’re looking to stay in for the night in OBX and still eat the best seafood in the area. We got the oysters and tail fish, which were the freshest we’d had the during our entire vacation. Plus, the owner gave us some great ideas on how to cook everything. I’d give them 6 stars if I could.

I never eat fish. Ever. Except at the beach. And usually only from this place. Their staff is knowledgeable, friendly and never makes this midwesterner feel like a seafood moron with all my questions. Get whatever is local. Seriously. My husband and son love the freshly boiled shrimp. Yesterday we got swordfish. Awesome. Today we got scallops. Seriously some of the best stuff I’ve ever eaten. I was told tomorrow the grouper will be in. I. Can’t. Wait!

Its very simple. Best seafood on the Outer Banks. The staff could not be any more friendly or helpful. Every recomendation they have made has been a home run. From steamed shrip to fresh local fish. It cant be beat. Most recently had fresh local head on shrimp and grouper cheeks. What a great meal. Make it a point to stop.

Greyson is the MAN! Totally hooked me up the best fish for the next three nights! Everyone who works there is knowledgeable and friendly. Superb tasting fish. Don’t waste your money on eat out, eat in! Use that $ 250 on something else. I highly recommend this place for everyone. Very clean as well. Thanks again Greyson! You get a raise!

This is one of my go to places whenever I am visiting the Outer Banks. Their seafood is by far the best I’ve ever had. It is unbelievably fresh. This is a small seafood market– they catch it in the morning and its on your plate that afternoon. You go and pick out what you want, then they steam it for you right there with their own special seasoning, which is delicious in and of itself. I look forward to trips to the Outer Banks just for this place alone. We stop here every year on vacation and pick up pounds of jumbo steamed shrimp (spiced …yummy) with their homemade cocktail sauce.

Owner states and claims a private parking lot, but then places a crappy A frame sign in the public right of way along the street and chases away anyone who wants to park there.
He clearly doesn’t own it because of the location of fire hydrants and even a survey marker. Won’t get my business until he gives up claiming public land for his business.

We love theses guys. Every year on our beach vacation we stop by at least twice for fish, shrimp, and crab. Always fresh. I’m going to have to try their oysters next year.

Stopped in here on a whim on vacation. Walked into a clean shop with a beautiful array of shrimp, scallops, mahi mahi, and tuna laid out right in front of you. Staff was incredibly helpful and ended up with the mahi mahi and shrimp, although am still wishing I would’ve picked up some scallops. Definitely going back when we are there next year.

we bought the best scallops EVER here! tuna and shrimp also sooooo fresh. we cooked them on a grill with only salt and pepper, great protiens!

Have you ever found mini crabs living in your freshly shucked oysters? NC fisherman attest that these little crabs can only live in the freshest, non-​polluted waters. The oysters that I’ve been buying every day from the Whalebone Seafood Shop in Nags Head are sure enough chock full of crabs! And they’re outrageously delicious, I might add– both the oysters and the crabs (I roast the crabs in bacon grease for a crunchy salty treat)!
As soon as you walk in the door of the Whalebone, you are greeted by a dazzling array of shimmering pinks, whites, and silvers– yes, the colors of the freshest seafood you will ever come across, unless of course you have the wherewithal to fish it out of the ocean yourself. A fisherman I am not, however I am an avid lover of cooking and eating seafood, therefore this is the place for me!
Been in OBX for four days now, and every day I have bought oysters, fish and shrimp from these guys. They get in a new catch every day, and if you ask these friendly guys they will be happy to explain what was caught where and when, and to give you great cooking tips as well. Their steamed peel and eat shrimp is fantastic if you are just rolling through and want a snack. Fresh fish can be pricy, but I have found the prices at Whalebone to be true to the value of the fish that they sell.
This is the real deal. Before I leave OBX I may beg these guys to open a winter location in the East Village, preferably around the corner from my apartment.

We come here every year, load up on shrimp and scallops, and gorge ourselves.
They steam the shrimp for you which is really really nice.
4 stars for the always friendly staff on hand to help you figure out what you want and tell you the best way to cook it.

Really good locally caught seafood at reasonable prices. Got a half bushel of steamed blue crabs for $ 65. More than enough for four crab eaters. Really tasty with a good amount of meat inside. Also got steamed shrimp with medium spice. Also really good tasting. A definite hit and I live in Maryland where crabs are king. Will go back the next time in Nags Head.
Only complaint is they need to sell more sides with the seafood.