Join today and help share the future of the Virginia Oyster Industry! 

The Virginia Oyster Trail (VOT) is more than just a journey—it’s a community that strengthens the local economy and celebrates Virginia’s coastal culture. By becoming a member, you’ll connect with passionate oyster businesses, seafood restaurants, eco-tours, wineries, lodging partners, and more, all coming together to create the ultimate Virginia Oyster experience. Become a member today and be a part of the growing network that’s shaping the future of Virginia’s oyster industry!

Big Island Aquaculture Daniel Vogt holding Oysters

Enroll now to enjoy these benefits!

Tommy Leggett York River Oysters harvesting.
Visibility & Branding Tools
  • Free lease of a “Virginia Oyster Trail” metal locator sign for active trail members.
  • Use of the Virginia Oyster Trail logo for PR (Brand Usage Policy applies).
  • Business listing in our directory with a write-up, featuring links to your website and social media profiles.
  • Point of Interest on the interactive digital trail map.
Virginia Oyster Trail members participating in a hands-on educational oyster farming experience
Calendar and Digital Media
  • Add your upcoming Virginia Oyster-related events and promotions to the Virginia Oyster Trail Calendar of Events.
  • Be featured on the Virginia Oyster Trail White Boot Blog, reaching oyster lovers worldwide with interesting Virginia Oyster-related topics.
Virginia Oyster Trail regions map
Dynamic Map
  • Your business is displayed on an interactive Google map, showing your exact location with your name, address, and link directly to your website. 
VA Beach wine bar oysters outside with wine
Social Media & Visitor Trip Planner 
  • Share content easily across multiple social media sites via the Virginia Oyster Trail’s social media feeds.
  • Gain exposure as part of a trusted resource for oyster-related content, helping visitors plan their Virginia adventures and supporting local tourism.

Participation Details:

General Criteria – All Virginia Oyster Trail Websites 

These general items apply to all trail sites. Click the tab that applies to your type of business for industry specifics and to be directed to the appropriate online application.

  • The trail site features and promotes a genuine Virginia Oyster visitor experience.
  • The trail site focuses and guarantees Virginia Oyster authenticity and quality.
  • The trail site celebrates the cultural diversity of the region and reflects positively on its heritage.
  • The trail site is well marked with a business sign (a VOT trail sign will be provided once qualified).
  • The trail site specifies and maintains regular business hours. Seasonal hours are acceptable. Businesses that are open to the public “by appointment only” or fewer than two days per week will be considered.
  • The trail site is visitor friendly, clean, safe and provides adequate restrooms, ample parking, directional signs, icon denoting handicap accessibility, etc.
  • The trail site’s parking area is easily accessible by 2-wheel drive vehicles (4-wheel drive only access areas do not qualify).
  • The trail site promotes, connects and collaborates with other trail site participants on the Virginia Oyster Trail.
  • The trail site is featured or agrees to be featured on the Virginia Tourism Corporation website: Virginia.org (Note: other Virginia Oyster Industry related website participation is recommended however not required for trail participation).

Program Disclaimer: All trail site businesses/owners are solely responsible for complying with zoning regulations, ordinances, health and business licensing requirements as well as any required or discretionary insurance liability coverage in addition to taking steps to reduce/eliminate risk due to negligence.

Category Information:

OYSTER WATERMEN / AQUACULTURE BUSINESSES
Examples: Watermen, Oyster Growers, Watermen Tours, **Farm/Seafood Markets
  • The oyster business must be open to hosting visitors.
  • The oyster business business must provides an interpretative experience of the Virginia Oyster.
  • The site has qualified as a business by presenting evidence of at least one of the following for approval: photo, exhibits, demonstrations, tours, workshops, maps, brochures, video or another expressed written method.
  • **Farm/Seafood Markets must feature Virginia Oysters on a regular basis.

$50 PER YEAR, plus a $50 one-time setup fee

RESTAURANTS
Examples: Restaurants, Oyster Bars, Diners, Night Clubs, Cafés
  • The restaurant must specifically feature the Virginia Oyster on a consistent basis and as a main item on their menu. Suggested methods of interpretation:
  • Feature and promote at least one Virginia Oyster producer’s product while offering different menu preparations (half-shell, roasted, fried, baked, stewed, seasoned, etc.).
  • Creates a separate Virginia Oyster story sheet (akin to a wine list).
  • Describes the type of Virginia Oyster being served, i.e., the region it came from and distinguishing taste characteristics.
  • Notes the name of the Virginia producers or watermen who supplied the oysters.
  • Option, yet highly encouraged: Recommend pairings where Virginia-made beverages, condiments, produce, meats, dairy products are served.
  • Feature a monthly Virginia Oyster Night emphasis.

$100 PER YEAR, plus a $50 one-time setup fee

AGRI-ARTISANS
Examples: Visitor experience agricultural businesses such as *Wineries, Breweries, Distilleries, Cideries
  • The Agri-Artisan site provides a cultural heritage interpretative experience of the Virginia Oyster.
  • The site has qualified as a business by presenting evidence of at least one of the following for approval: photo, exhibits, demonstrations, workshops, maps, brochures, video or another expressed written method.
  • The site’s agricultural and food products feature Virginia Oysters and prioritize locally grown or produced goods.
  • *Wineries, breweries, distilleries, cideries must exhibit proof of one of the following:
  • Participates or hosts a minimum of 2 Virginia Oyster Events/year.
  • Serves Virginia Oysters either as a menu option or in pairings regularly.

$100 PER YEAR, plus a $50 one-time setup fee

LODGING
Examples: Bed & Breakfast, Campsite, Cabin, Inn
  • The lodging site is locally-owned/managed in the Virginia Chesapeake Bay, Eastern Shore and/or Coastal Virginia regions. Franchises and chains will only be considered in areas where lodging is at an extreme minimum.
  • All lodging sites must feature/promote the Virginia Oyster, providing Virginia Oyster Trail interpretive materials that tell about the local Virginia Oyster.
  • In the event a lodging property does not qualify, yet the property has a restaurant serving Virginia Oysters, it may qualify as a “restaurant” (see Restaurants tab for specific restaurant criteria).

$100 PER YEAR, plus a $50 one-time setup fee

CULTURAL POINTS OF INTEREST
Examples: Historic & cultural centers; museums; information/ interpretive; educational; recreational; events/festivals
  • A point of interest site specifically features the Virginia Oyster’s cultural heritage within the region.
  • A point of interest site features educational activities that are open to the public and provide content specific to the Virginia Oyster whether artistic, environmental, historical, or business related.
  • A point of interest site features recreational and/or event activities that specifically revolve around the Virginia Oyster.

$100 PER YEAR, plus a $50 one-time setup fee

ARTISTS
Examples: Painters with watermen and/or Virginia Oyster subject matter; jewelers/sculptors and other craft artisans utilizing Virginia Oyster shells in their works; Production level artisans creating authentic Virginia Oyster collectibles
  • The artist is creating original works that specifically feature the Virginia Oyster on a consistent basis and as a main line of their media.
  • The artist’s studio has qualified as a business by presenting evidence of at least one of the following for approval: website; photo, maps, brochure, video or another expressed written method.
  • The artist’s studio may also provide demonstrations and/or workshops on their art.
  • The artist’s studio features 5 or fewer artists (including the owner of the studio). If more than 5 artists are featured, the site must upgrade to “venue”.
ART VENUES
Examples: Locally-owned business where retail sales are made such as: galleries; retail shops; gift shops
  • The venue promotes original works and/or exhibitions featuring local artists who specifically feature the Virginia Oyster in their media.
  • The venue, gift shop and/or gallery prioritizes “American-made” with an emphasis on locally created art from the trail region. Shops with a strong product line of imports or crafts made from kits may not qualify.

$100 PER YEAR, plus a $50 one-time setup fee

Online Application:

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Contact Name
(include “http://www.” e.g., “http://www.mywebsite.com”)
Address
Click or drag a file to this area to upload.
500 characters max.
Fees
A Virginia Oyster Trail team member will call you within 3-5 business days to welcome you to the Trail, receive your annual membership fee, and make sure your listing and map location are ready for the website.
$0.00
Participation Statement: I would like to participate in the Virginia Oyster Trail (VOT). I affirm that my business meets the VOT specific criteria for inclusion. I understand that my application submission does not guarantee participation on the Trail and that the VOT reserves the right to make the final determination acceptance based on my Virginia Oyster relevancy. I understand that a representative of the VOT may contact me to schedule a site prior to approval of my application. I agree to submit the applicable fees and further allow the VOT to use/publish information about my business, including images I post to my trail site profile page or from my website/print materials, in VOT promotions, online and in print. I understand that membership on the trail includes a one-time trail set up fee and renewable annual fee. I further am aware that participation on the Trail is a shared-responsibility and will do my part to ensure my online page and calendar entries are enticing and relevant. I understand that my trail sign is a free lease as long as I am an active member. By submitting this application, I hereby acknowledge that I am the owner of the above-referenced business or authorized by the owner to submit this information on behalf of the owner. Furthermore, once approved for membership, I indemnify and hold harmless the VOT, their affiliates, partners, officers, agents, and/or employees, and their members from and against any and all claims of any nature whatsoever, incurred during or, in relation to, my VOT membership (including without limitation, all liability, loss and costs). The information provided on this form is correct to the best of my knowledge.

Have more than one organization that you’d like on the trail?

Contact us to consolidate your membership applications!