Shellfish Hatchery Tour

Tour the largest hatchery in Massachusetts and the longest-running facility of its kind on the East Coast: the Aquaculture Research Corporation (ARC) in Dennis. ARC Hatchery Tours take you behind the scenes of where it all begins—watch shellfish spawning and early life stages up close before they head out to local, regional, and national farms. Step inside a working distribution hub to see how shellfish are sorted, measured, and graded in real time before being packaged and shipped to restaurants and fish markets across the country. Set along the beautiful Dennis Flats, with views stretching toward Chapin Beach, the experience blends active aquaculture with the natural coastal landscape. Please wear shoes that can get wet. Accessibility note: there are hoses on the ground, some uneven surfaces, and single steps inside the building. The tour may also go up a flight of stairs, but that is optional.