One of the popular suggested things to do in Rocky Point is to visit the local oyster farms for a taste of fresh oysters pulled right from the Sea of Cortez. But there’s lots of stories floating around of people claiming to get sick from eating oysters in Puerto Peñasco. The reasons claimed range from the warm weather and water to the cleanliness of the restaurants you order from. But it seems like it’s always someone’s cousin’s uncle’s best friend’s wife that gets really sick. I have yet to know someone personally that was food poisoned from eating oysters. So if you like oysters and you want to try oysters in Puerto Peñasco, what you need to know is how to make an informed decision about when and where to give them a try. Is it safe to eat oysters in Rocky Point, Mexico? Will they make you sick? Let’s talk about it.
It is safe to eat oysters Rocky Point, Mexico when you buy them from the venders who grow and harvest them directly from the sea during the cooler months of the year when water temperatures are lower and harmful toxin producing algae, like red tide, are not heavily present.
If you’re a fan of oysters or just looking to add some more local authenticity to your visit to Puerto Peñasco, here are some tips for a safe oyster culinary experience.
Best Time of the Year to Eat Oysters in Rocky Point
There’s an old saying that says it’s safest to eat oysters in months with the letter “R,” September through April. I have heard this for oysters from Mexico as well as oysters from the cooler northeastern United States. There are a few reasons for this recommendation.
First, temperature. It goes without saying that food safety issues are heighted when temperatures are warm. The Sonora, Mexico shorelines of Sea of Cortez are located in the desert. If you’ve visited Rocky Point, you know that it gets hot. Not warm… but HOT. Summer temperatures hit 100 degrees in the summer. And depending on the year, 100 degrees can start as early as May and last as late as October. (Today is October 5, 2020 and the car is registering 101 as we drive out to Cholla Bay.)
Another reason is that warmer months are ideal breeding conditions for red tide. Red tide brings Vibrio, a toxin spreading algae that grows in warm coastal waters. The algae is absorbed by filter feeder sea life like clams and oysters, making them sick and in turn the humans that eat the sea life raw or undercooked. Oysters farmed locally in Puerto Peñasco can be affected by Vibrio. Red tide isn’t limited to months with “R.” In 2018, the red tide alert was in effect as early as February and in 2017, it was late January. Local authorities work to manage the sale and consumption of sea life affected by the algae when it poses a danger. They are diligent about making the public aware (in Spanish and English.) In addition they will limit and even prohibiting the sale of affected sea life if necessary. If in doubt, you can also turn to social media groups and ask.
Where to Eat Oysters in Rocky Point : Las Ostioneras
You can order oysters at restaurants like Cholla Bay Oyster House, The Blue Marlin or Wrecked at the Reef. But las ostioneras, the oyster farms, of Puerto Peñasco cultivate and grow fresh oysters locally on the shores of the Sea of Cortez. So I recommend going straight to the source for the freshest oysters in town. The farms are located 15-20 minutes east of town off the road to Caborca near the Morua Estuary.
Three farms are Oyster Farm, Ostionera El Barco and Cooperativa Punta Roja. All three have the ambiance of old school Rocky Point, back when it was a sleepy little pueblo by the sea. Rustic tables, dirt floors and a warm seaside breeze.
While all of these farms offer the freshest oysters available, Ostionera El Barco, is probably the favorite. They offer more than just oysters. (How about some stingray tacos?) They also sell sodas and cerveza. You can bring your own drinks, but they may charge extra, like a corkage fee. They have plenty of seating and… a bathroom.
Still Shy on Raw Oysters in Rocky Point? Try Them Cooked.
If you’re not comfortable eating raw oysters, try them cooked. All three of the oyster farms above prepare cooked oysters.
Most restaurants that serve oysters in town will prepare them cooked in all kinds of interesting and delicious ways. Cholla Bay Oyster House will bake them with fennel butter, creamy spinach or Rockefeller style. The Blue Marlin fries them up with lemon wedges and tabasco. The Reef serves them up fried and Rockefeller too.
If you want to buy some to cook back at your beach house, cooking them on the grill is easy. Rinse them well. Put them on a hot grill with the deep side of the shell down. Grill for 5 to 8 minutes until they pop open. They may not open all the way and that’s ok. Remove them from the heat immediately or they will dry out. Toss any that do not open. Enjoy with a variety of dipping sauces like melted lemon butter, Tabasco and Frank’s Hot Sauce.
I saw one cooked oyster method on the forums that proved excellent. No need for a fancy recipe. I’ll just quote the poster because it was FABULOUS! Thank you Landshark for the tip.
We shuck them leaving the oyster in the lower shell, add a scampi sauce (garlic, butter & wine) to the shell along with lime, cilantro, sliced chili, and grated cheese. Sometimes spinach if we have some. Then slowly grill them over a charcoal fire with wood smoke until they simmer for about 15 minutes being careful they don’t dry out. Great for an appetizer of a meal if you make enough.
Landshark – RockyPointTalk.com
According to the CDC, cooking oysters will kill harmful bacteria like Vibrio. They recommend:
- Frying in oil for three minutes at 375° F.
- Broil 3 inches from heat for three minutes.
- Bake for ten minutes at 450° F.
- Only eat shellfish that open during cooking.
Do Visit the Oyster Farms
Even if you don’t eat oysters, the oyster farms and estuaries are worth a visit. Several resorts will offer tours on paddle boards and kayaks. The oyster farms themselves are so friendly. It’s such a cultural specialty, most are always happy to share the experience.
Depending on the time of year you visit, you will see the life cycle of the oysters. In the summer months they are teenie tiny seeds. They are about 3 millimeters long when they are planted. (That’s about a tenth of an inch.) It takes about nine months for them to start maturing enough to be harvested.
CEDO offers and educational tour of the Morúa Estuary that include a stop at the El Barco oyster farms. The tour lasts 3 to 4 hours and costs $50 USD for adults and $30 USD for children 14 and under. For a little more, you can take a similar tour on kayaks.
Here is the link for more information on the tour : ADVENTURE ESTERO EXCURSION
