Beach Point
Crassostrea virginica
A boutique oyster from Barnstable Harbor, Cape Cod. Meaty and plump with light brininess, bright sweet cream flavor, and a crisp finish. Only 30,000 raised annually with meticulous care.
Flavor Profile
Finish
Sweet cream with a crisp, bright finish
Expert Notes
Beach Point oysters are boutique gems from Barnstable Harbor, one of Cape Cod Bay's finest oyster terroirs. With only 30,000 raised annually by Mark Begley, each oyster receives meticulous attention. Grown in suspension trays in the protected harbor's swift currents, they develop deep cups with plump, meaty flesh. The flavor profile showcases light brininess balanced by pronounced sweet cream notes and a bright, crisp character that makes them exceptional cocktail oysters. Origin & Characteristics
- Species
- Crassostrea virginica
- Native to
- USA
- Grown in
- Barnstable Harbor, Cape Cod, Massachusetts
- Size
- Medium to Large (2.5-5 inches)
- Shell Color
- Clean white
- Meat Color
- Cream to light gray
What Experts Say
Across 5 sources, tasters describe this oyster as:
Unique notes: parmesan rind, bechamel sauce, toothy texture
"These oysters have a super salty undertone, with savory notes of parmesan rind that lead into a sweet, creamy finish. They also have a perfectly meaty, toothy texture. A prime example of blending location and technique for a truly unique oyster."
saltysavoryparmesansweetcreamy
"You'll immediately notice that these two sister oysters share a lovely, opaque, creamy color–always a sign of sweetness in an oyster. Beach Points are rich like a bechamel sauce."
sweetcreamyrich
"Sometimes compared to lobsters, Beach Points are less salty than their Wellfleet cousins. I think they are great starter oysters, though oyster lovers will appreciate the nuances."
less saltynuanced
"Wanted to like this variety more than I did given positive reviews here and elsewhere, but it just wasn't that interesting to me. Briny, vegetal, earthy."
brinyvegetalearthy
"Amazingly flavorful and savory oysters with deep cups. Moderate size."
flavorfulsavory
"Mark and his crew make a great oyster. Very clean, bright shells and salty, sweet meats."
cleansaltysweet
About the Farm
Mark Begley Shellfish Farm
Est. 1999Mark started the shellfish farm in 1999 after receiving a two-acre aquaculture grant. Initially a weekend farmer, his farm is a family affair with brother Jim, sons Chris and Mark Anthony, wife Linda, and daughter Michelle all playing key roles.
- Cultivation Method
- suspended culture
History & Background
Beach Points have been grown by Mark Begley for more than 15 years in Barnstable Harbor, a southern harbor off Cape Cod Bay that has emerged as one of the greatest oyster terroirs in the world.
Beach Points are a New England cult favorite with an elite fan base, often making the Top 10 list of ostreaphiles. Only 30,000 are raised annually, making them a true boutique oyster.
Did You Know?
- Mark has a Master of Science degree in Engineering from Northeastern University
- Mark is on the board of trustees of the Massachusetts Aquaculture Association
- Mark helped develop the Best Management Practices for the Shellfish Culture Industry in Southeastern Massachusetts
- Mark does everything by hand, even removing all the barnacles from the shells himself
Sources & References
This information was compiled from 5 sources.
- Beach Point Oysters from Barnstable, MA — Island Creek Oysters
- Beach Points and Moon Shoals — The Oyster Guide
- 6 Naked Oysters: Island Creeks, Ichabod Flats, Beach Points, Rocky Nooks, Chatham, and Wild Wellfleets — Oyster Stew Blog
- Beach Point — OysteRater
- 3 Best Oysters on Cape Cod — I Rent Cape Cod Blog
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Learn More
The Big Five: A Complete Guide to Commercial Oyster Species
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