Happy Clammers

Gilbert Gillis has been digging clams on Prince Edward Island ever since he was the age of this little fellow....and there's nothing he loves more than showing visitors his favourite clamming spots in the eastern part of the Island.

He knows the secrets of finding the best clams and he'll share his knowledge and techniques with you as he takes you out to dig your own feed of clams.

But the best part of this experience is all the stories Gilbert will tell you about growing up on Point Prim.  He's full of great tales about the way things were so you'll not only have a fun time digging clams with him, you'll gain a new appreciation for this  incredible Island.



Clam digging has been an Island tradition since the days when only the M'ik M'aq lived here.

They come in all shapes and sizes....soft-shelled "squirt" clams, bar clams, quahogs and razors.  Steamed squirt clams are a summer treat and bottled bar clams are a winter staple in may Island kitchens

Even though they can be found all along the Island coastline, you have to know where to look and what to look for.  And with Gilbert, we've taken the guesswork out of clam digging for you.  

 

 

When you're digging clams...whether it's squirt or bar clams...the trick is figuring out where they are but once you know what to look for it's fairly easy.

 

You see, clams aren't all that smart.  They give away their hiding places.  With a keen eye, you'll quickly spot the little holes in the sand.  These are the holes left behind by the clam's siphons....the little tube they use to feed through. 

 

If you find a hole, there's a good chance you'll find a clam!  Gilbert will show you how to properly dig for them and help you measure the ones you find to ensure you don't take the young ones.  Those you'll leave behind so they'll be there next year.

 

And once you've dug your feed of clams, Gilbert will take you back to his house where Goldie will be waiting with a real treat for you.  Besides steaming up the clams you bring back, she'll have her world famous clam chowder and biscuits waiting for you in the kitchen.

 

And knowing Goldie, you can pretty well be sure there will be one of her great homemade desserts topped off with something fresh like Island rhubarb, strawberries, blueberries or blackberries.  

 

Available:  Daily except Wednesday

Duration: 2-3 hours

Fee:  $80/pp + GST  Minimum 2 adults

          $60/pp + GST  3 adults

          $50/pp + GST  4-8 adults   (Ask about rates for larger groups)

          $25/pp + GST  Children (under age 12)