Clam Digging in Ocean Shores, Washington

Razor clam digging brings thousands of people to Washington’s beaches every year. Below is everything you need to know about razor clam digging in Washington, how to get started, what you need, and when you can go clam digging.

2024 Approved Ocean Shores razor clam dig schedule

Feb. 6, Tuesday, 3:52 p.m.; 0.0 feet; Mocrocks
Feb. 7, Wednesday, 4:41 p.m.; -0.7 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Feb. 8, Thursday, 5:26 p.m.; -1.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Feb. 9, Friday, 6:09 p.m.; -1.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Feb. 10, Saturday, 6:49 p.m.; -1.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Feb. 11, Sunday, 7:29 p.m.; -1.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Feb. 12, Monday, 8:08 p.m.; -0.3 feet; Long Beach, Copalis

2024 Tentative Ocean Shores razor clam dig schedule

Feb. 21, Wednesday, 4:56 p.m.; 0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Feb. 22, Thursday, 5:33 p.m.; 0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Feb. 23, Friday, 6:05 p.m.; 0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Feb. 24, Saturday, 6:34 p.m.; 0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Feb. 25, Sunday, 7:02 p.m.; 0.4 feet; Long Beach, Mocrocks
March 7, Thursday, 4:15 p.m.; -0.5 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
March 8, Friday, 5:00 p.m.; -0.8 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
March 9, Saturday, 5:42 p.m.; -0.9 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
March 10, Sunday, 7:22 p.m.; -0.7 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
March 11, Monday, 8:00 p.m.; -0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
March 12, Tuesday, 8:33 a.m.; -0.3 feet; Long Beach, Mocrocks
March 13, Wednesday, 9:21 a.m.; -0.4 feet; Long Beach, Mocrocks
March 14, Thursday, 10:12 a.m.; -0.3 feet; Long Beach, Mocrocks
March 15, Friday, 11:08 a.m.; 0.1 feet; Copalis (Ocean Shores Razor Clam Festival)
March 16, Saturday, 12:10 p.m.; 0.5 feet; Copalis (Ocean Shores Razor Clam Festival)
March 17, Sunday, 1:23 p.m.; 0.9 feet; Mocrocks (Ocean Shores Razor Clam Festival)
March 26, Tuesday, 7:54 a.m.; 0.7 feet; Copalis
March 27, Wednesday, 8:26 a.m.; 0.4 feet; Long Beach, Mocrocks
March 28, Thursday, 9:01 a.m.; 0.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
March 29, Friday, 9:39 a.m.; 0.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
March 30, Saturday, 10:23 p.m.; 0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
March 31, Sunday, 11:16 a.m.; 0.6 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

Map of clam digging beaches in Washington. — Click to enlarge map.

Before your trip, double-check the schedule.

Sometimes digs are cancelled with little notice if the Department of Health detects toxins or other issues with the shellfish population. Clammers should double-check the Department of Fish and Wildlife schedule before a trip.

How many clams can you dig?

State law allows clam diggers to keep 15 clams. They must be the first 15 dug which means clammers may not throw back clams that are too small or that they cut through while digging. Each person’s clams must be kept in a separate container, this makes it easier for law enforcement to ensure each person is obeying the 15 clam limit.

Do you need a license to go clam digging?

Yes. Interested diggers can purchase licenses online at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov. If you need it sooner than 10 days you must go in person to a licensing vendor. Ace Hardware is the only vendor inside Ocean Shores and tends to get very busy during clam digs. Clammers should try to buy a license before arriving. Find more license vendors here: http://wdfw.wa.gov/licensing/vendors.

Razor clam digging tools.

There are two common options for digging:

A clam shovel is a long and narrow shovel. This enables you to dig a deep hole quickly before the clam has a chance to escape.
A clam gun is a cylinder pipe made typically from plastic/PVC or metal. You shove the clam gun down into the sand over the clam and pull it back out. There is a small hole on the clam gun that lets the air escape when you shove it down into the sand. When lifting the clam gun up you plug that hole when you pull it out. This causes a suction force that pulls the sand up when you lift up. Is it cheating? Maybe. Does it work? Absolutely! And your shovel using friends will be jealous.

What to store your razor clams in.

Each clam digger is required by law to store their clams in their own container. This allows law enforcement to ensure each person is not exceeding their limit. Due to this nets are popular options.

A clam net is simply a strong, typically nylon, net mesh material that can be easily carried or clipped to a belt.

What to wear when clam digging

Depending on the weather it is often very cold and windy on the beach in Ocean Shores. You should check the forecast and understand the unique Ocean Shores climate which usually calls for layering warm clothing and rain gear. If you have good waterproof boots you should wear them. Hip waders are even better.