I have been going to the OBX on vacation for seven years and never stopped at this place. Why? Probably because it was near Wal-Mart. Lower prices from China is not what I am looking for in a fish place. (No, I never believed that it was fish from Wal-Mart.) Carawan has great, fresh local fish that you can take home and cook. It is not a restaurant -- for those of you who can't be bothered cooking, they will steam stuff for you to take away. The NC Shrimp were amazing. I will be coming back next year. read more

Probably one of the most reasonably priced Seafood places in the Outer Banks. We were on our way to our beach house to start our vacation when we decided to stop by here to pick up some seafood for an impending (first day-of-vacation friends and family) seafood feast. Picked up the following: - Three dozen blue crabs: $24 per dozen. Not all that bad considering the absurd prices elsewhere. And remember that it is always important to have an abundance of blue crab when having a crab feast. You can always pick the uneaten ones later for crab cakes. - 100 little-neck clams: $30 - a very decent deal. It's always a good idea to pair another kind of local seafood with crab. And these clams were local and super fresh. I cooked them with a splash of sierra Nevada, salt, pepper, and a couple of sliced lemons and limes with a finish of melted butter on the side. Heavenly. - 4 lbs of large shrimp ($10 per lb) - also another great accompaniment to the crab - especially when there are weirdos at the table who don't do blue crabs (they do exist). - About a dozen Stone crab claws: $12. This is an excellent punctuation to the seafood feast as a little bit of a teaser appetizer. So this while total came out to around $150 which might seem like a lot but this was more than enough for 10 people plus we had some left-overs for crab cakes the next day. You cannot do a beach trip to the OBX and not have one of these kinds of seafood feasts. This meal goes great with some pale ale, white wine, and definitely some nice brandy. Great place - will always do business with Carawan! read more

On our second night of a family reunion, we bought a bushel of crab from this little store. My uncle made a reservation and picked it up just before dinner. I tagged along to see what the store was like. The shop was small, but to the point. They had fresh seafood on ice in the middle of the store and the edges were lined with wine, cheese and crackers, and gift knick knacks. All of the seafood looked very fresh. My family usually likes to cook their own seafood, but since the price of the prepared and live crab were the same price, we let Carawan do the cooking and clean up. My uncle ordered the cajun style and it was fabulous. We all chowed down the first night and had plenty left over for several meals after that. There were 17 of us and I think all but the two little kids had one or two that first night. Plenty of yummy crab to go around. read more

Great selection, helpful and friendly staff, and reasonable prices! We got everything we needed for a seafood feast for 14 people.

We visit Carawan Seafood at least twice each time we vacation in the OBX. We take the shrimp and fish back to our condo and grill it up. The seafood is fresh and right off the boat. You'll want to get there early as they sell out of the good seafood by mid-afternoon. Their staff is polite and helpful. read more

Incredibly good. I've been reminiscing about this fish market for a year now... I got old bay crabs that you crack open with a hammer, and amazing shrimp. Why must I live so far away? I recommend it highly. read more

Great Fresh seafood. The address should be at Kitty Hwak (not Kill Devil Hills). If you have a kitchen in outer bank, don't mind to steam and cooking, and want some fresh seafood, this is a best choice than a restuanat. * Pros - Great Fresh seafood - Reasonable price - They can cook shrimp and snow crab legs for you * Cons: - Not a restaurants (it is a seafood market) - Can't eat there - Can't cook everything for you read more

Carawan is our goto seafood stop when in the Outer Banks. They have a nice selection of fresh seafood including many different fish, scallops, shrimp, and crabs. During the season they source local seafood so what will be on your plate tonight was in the water this morning. In addition to the seafood they carry local produce that you might need to cook your favorite dishes as well as seasoning and sides to make it a meal. The staff are a wonderful resource and always happy to share a suggestion on how to prepare their catch if you haven't found your own inspiration. read more

Carawon seafood is tops! Having asked the hospitable and helpful clerk for a fish recommendation in addition to the beautiful and fresh crab, shrimp, and oysters I planned to buy, he suggested red fish, noting it as one of his favorites. Back home in DC and a day later, the result of simple baking of this fine fish with some shallots, paprika, and a touch of bacon was the best, tastiest, freshest fish I have personally prepared. Thank you, Sir, for your guidance and for recounting interesting history of the area The addition of fresh picked sautéed collard greens made for a mouthwatering Sunday supper and a fond outer banks memory. read more

Very pleased with their selection and service. Especially glad to see that they're all wearing masks. Other seafood places in the local area don't wear masks; guess who will get my business from now on? Yes, I have to drive about 5 miles from Duck to get there, but the local place that refused requests to mask will not be getting my business. read more

We lived on the Outer Banks from 1993 until 2004. Carawan's was the best seafood market ever! Not only was the fish about as fresh as one could get without actually catching it oneself, Bob and Christina and all their help could not be nicer. We have been gone for more years than I care to count, but I am so glad I found that it is still doing well - as it should! My discovering it on-line was precipitated by including recipes from there, given to me by them verbally, in the on-going cookbook I have been making for my grandchildren. Since it is still in the family, you can not go wrong by getting your seafood from Carawan's. read more

Very friendly staff. Had nice, fresh seafood and a great variety of local wares and seafood dish accoutrements.

Friendly employees. Great seafood at fair prices. Fresh tuna was absolutely delicious! Shrimp were spot on too.

Really fresh seafood, adorable little market, has everything you need for a fresh seafood dinner. Prices reflect the freshness of the seafood. Turns out it would have been cheaper for me to get soft shell crabs, cooked, at I've Got Your Crabs down the street. read more

Ordered a few pounds of snow crab clusters and peeled/de-veined shrimp. They steamed them for us since we didn't want to deal with that at the beach house. That took about 15m which they seasoned the shrimp as well. Prompt service and prices weren't outrageous considering it's a beach town. read more

Highly recommend. I purchased three pounds of steamed shrimp that was perfectly spiced and cooked. Very friendly service. This is another go to place for buying fresh seafood while in the OBX!! Steamed shrimp AAA+++. Fair prices. read more

Fresh seafood, great service!!! Prices better than supermarkets near by and seafood is local!

My family and I picked up a bunch of seafood here during our stay in Southern Shores. The prices are really fair and the fresh seafood is excellent. We purchased a few bushels of crab and shrimp. It's awesome they come steamed and seasoned, we didn't have to do anything to them! read more

This is a seafood market. We were vacationing in Duck as a large family group and wanted to get a bushel of crabs. We called late in the day and they still were able to get everything ready quickly. The crabs were cooked and seasoned perfectly. When I called originally I asked for size, and they told me large. I guess large in obx is different from large here in MD because they were huge! The whole bushel was only about $110 which is so cheap compared with what we are used to spending on crabs. We are planning another trip to obx next year and will definitely be back! read more

Great place. Bought shrimp and it was fresh and tasty. Everything looked clean and fresh. Will come back next year.

Take my word as a local - this place offers some of the freshest local seafood on the Outer Banks. Local owners, super nice people. Wide variety of shellfish, crabs & fish. Small section with wines and local spices & seasonings. Carawans is not a sit down restaurant but a seafood market where you buy your seafood to take home and prepare. Have been getting seafood from them for over 10 years! read more

Amazing fresh shrimp and scallops. Great local business--more expensive than what you can get at the supermarket, but also much better. Definitely worth checking out during your stay. read more

We had been coming to OBX as visitors for years, and always used Carawan to get our seafood. Two years ago, we took the plunge and moved here permanently (Corolla). Even after trying other options, Carawan is our absolute "go to" place, Bob, Melissa, and the rest of the family that own and work this business are amazing, and pride themselves not only on great seafood, but hearing back from customers....don't overlook this place! read more

We went to this seafood market a few years ago and weren't impressed, so sought out seafood elsewhere, even though we had to travel further. But towards the end of our vacation this year, we decided to see if they had softshell crabs and didn't feel like driving all they way down to Austin's. We not only got our soft shell crabs, but were amazed at how the place had changed. They have expanded the building a lot and now carry a larger selection of seafood, as well as a larger quantity. It was a little pricier than Austin's, but the crabs, at $1.00 more, were almost twice as big!(and had better flavor, since they were frozen at Austin's and still alive at Carawan's--they did clean them for us before we left, though). We vow to check them out on future vacations. The selection still isn't as big as at Austin's, which is why I gave it one less star. They also sell wine and beer, condiments, including some gourmet ones, some produce, and have one room off to the side with souveniers, gifts, and trinkets. Make sure you realize...this is a seafood market. Other than some steamed shrimp and crabs, I don't think they have any cooked foods (I didn't really check that closely, since we weren't looking for cooked foods, but I don't think they had them). Definately worth a return trip on future visits to the shore...the seafood was fresh and flavorful! read more

We were staying in Duck, NC for a long weekend. The closest place that had crabs in stock was Carawan Seafood about 5 miles away. We ordered a few hours in advance, steamed crabs and shrimp for a Memorial Day feast. They were delicious! The service was prompt and very friendly. read more

After paying $178 for a HALF BUSHEL of crabs at I GOT YOUR CRABS, we called Carawan's and they were charging $80 for the same amount. We knew we were over paying but we're on vacation.. We were LIVID to say the least and Carawan's steamed us crabs last minute and held our ice in the freezer while we waited. I have never been so impressed by customer service in my life. I would recommend this place to everyone. Just order ahead in the morning between 10-11 because not everyone can be as lucky read more

Hate to even mention Seamark, but since they disappeared drastic steps need to be taken to fill in need for "fresh seafood". To be fair, Carawan has been at this location forever, just never gave it a try for some reason. Glad I did. While they don't have the depth (quantity), they have variety, and it is all fresh. So far, have tried shrimp, scallops, tilefish (who knew?), and grouper. Everything is most excellent. Let's be clear - this is not a restaurant, it is a seafood store. read more

As suggested in other great reviews on this site, if you're seeking seafood, Carawan's is a good bet! Bob, the owner, is friendly, professional, and as we were trying to decide what to buy (lots of options) shared some local lore. We bought and grilled a pound of jumbo shrimp that were so good they must have just been caught! And before we leave this island, will for sure try at least one or two of his other diverse offerings. The Reel Deal!! read more

Old building with a poor parking lot. Seafood selection is hit or miss. Beware if you call and reserve something like oysters that they will not hold them for you. You are only as good as your word. read more

Picked up a dozen steamed and spiced blue crabs ($24), 3 lbs steamed shrimp ($9.50/lb), and 2-3 lbs mussels ($5/lb), plus a bottle of horseradish ($5). Delicious! Could only eat half on the first day, by 2nd day just one of the shrimp tasted off but the rest was all good. read more

Decent selection. Fresh fish. Customer service, eh its ok. I am not sure how other OBX seafood stores compare.

We ordered $120 worth of seafood from here and it was all great. Peel and eat shrimp, flounder, crabs, and scallops. All very fresh and guaranteed to be local. The place has no frills but is great. The shrimp and crabs were already cooked so if you are looking to save a lot of money over going to a restaurant, order them and take them home. The crab goes fast so call ahead and reserve some if possible. read more

Best seafood on the island. Our first stop always! During the Christmas holidays we spent two weeks in Kill Devil Hills. We shopped at Carawan twice buying steamed shrimp both times, swordfish and cherrystone clams. Delilah! read more

I stop in every time I come to OBX. Seafood selection is great & reasonably priced compared to other places in the area. It's very clean and everyone is so friendly and helpful. If coming in on a Saturday best to stop when you pass it, they will sell out because they are so reasonably priced. read more

Amazing folks, freshest seafood, great prices. We've been going here for over twenty years, and have never been disappointed. And it's so wonderful to see the same faces there during all this time, doing a wonderful job of taking care of their customers. Restaurant prices on OBX can be inflated--get the freshest seafood here and cook it up yourself, especially if you have rented a cottage with a view. read more

Bought jumbo shrimp and scallops. Scallops were fresh and amazing. no complaints. Shrimp had seen better days. I knew as soon as I opened the bag that they were not fresh, they had a very distinct fishy odor. So we cleaned and deveined 2 lbs of shrimp and I did my best to give them the benefit of the doubt. Maybe I was just being overly sensitive to the fish smell, but my suspicions were confirmed when we cooked them up and tried them. Very funky taste, certainly not fresh. Since the owner/manager mentioned his ice machine breaking, I almost wonder if these had sat at room temp. for a time before they were put back on fresh ice for sale. it wasn't worth sitting in 40+ minutes of traffic to return them, so we tossed them. Could have been avoided had I taken a whiff before we left with the store, but shame on me for trusting them right? First time visiting Duck, first and last time we buy "fresh" seafood from here. read more

Fresh fish, fair prices, and nice people. Our preferred fish market when we're on the obx.

Great Basic Seafood, a little pricey but everything is fresh. Although, they do have frozen products available. The shrimp here are amazing, they steam em just right. Your limited to about 8 or so varieties of fish, but all are filleted nicely. Made a dozen or so trips here, some of the best stuff is in their freezer, great clam strips, crab cakes (get em!), alligator and frog legs, I've had em all, nothing's bad. Clams here are good, if your accident prone with sharp knifes, they sell already shucked un rinsed raw oysters. read more

Fantastic price on fresh cleaned shrimp. Everywhere else we checked was charging 10-15 dollars per pound for medium shrimp uncleaned. We got it from Carawans for 12.98 per pound cleaned and shelled. It was some of the best shrimp I have ever cooked up. read more

We visited the Outer Banks on vacation and stopped here to get some fresh fish to take back home with us. The place was clean and the owner was very helpful. Great selection even in the off-season. We got several pounds of tuna, scallops and a pint of fresh seafood bisque. Good process too. Would definitely go back. read more