If you’re looking for a unique opportunity for a seafood lover or a curious foodie, visiting an oyster farm should be on your bucket list! A North Carolina Oyster farm tour offer a unique experience that goes beyond just indulging! You can taste the cuisine and learn a lot about North Carolina’s sounds and marshes on this fun adventure! Plus, you’ll get to learn from local farmers and become an oyster shucking pro!
Luckily, I recently had a friend in town visiting, so I got to join her and her family on Oyster Farm Tour. Our friends are the owners of Ghost Fleet Oyster Co based out of Hampstead, NC; one of the many Oyster Farms on the North Carolina coast! Only a short hour drive south from our home on the Crystal Coast, the Oyster tour made for an exciting way to visit old friends and get to learn something new about the North Carolina coast! I am excited to share our journey along the shores of North Carolina, exploring the fascinating world of oyster farming and indulging in the flavors of the sea.
Discover Coastal Beauty on a Oyster Farm Tour
We spent the day exploring with Ghost Fleet Oyster Company owners and captains, Cody and Rachel. The tour started at the boat ramp in Hampstead where we were picked up on a comfortable pontoon boat. It was a short boat ride to the Ghost Fleet Oyster Farm. (They also pickup at other locations convenient to you). As we set off on our North Carolina oyster farm tour, the breathtaking scenery was everywhere. The ride took us through the calm intercoastal waterway and into a tranquil marsh. Cody, explained that the tour would be led by our Questions. And the entire experience it truly felt like we were just having a conversation with him.
North Carolina Oyster farms are often situated in picturesque coastal locations, offering breathtaking views of the water. Not only were we able to enjoy the serenity of the surroundings, Cody explained a lot about how the islands were shaped and the Ecology and history of the area. In addition, we saw lots of coastal birds including heron’s and even an Osprey nesting from a distance!
North Carolina: The Napa Valley of Oysters
On the tour, we learned about the importance of the water’s salinity in affecting the growth of the oysters. I was excited to learn that the area from Newport, NC to Wilmington, NC has become lovingly known as the “Napa Valley of Oysters” because there are so many delicious Oyster Farms located in this small area!
The biggest factor in making this area so great for Oyster Farmers is the fact that we have excellent water quality! This is thanks to the limited number of rivers that run off into our sounds here. Most of the larger rivers in this part of the state flow directly into the ocean. Which means, that Oysters grown in Bogue Sound and Stump Sound don’t have to overcome big changes in salinity. On an oyster tour you’ll get to see some of the equipment that the farmers use to measure the water and learn the different monitoring techniques involved.
Learning the Art of Oyster Farming
During the tour, you will also gained an in-depth understanding of the intricate process of oyster farming. You will learn about the stages of the oyster’s life cycle and how the Oysters are raised from seed to harvest. We talked about the ideal conditions for reproduction and what farmers do in order to create the perfect final product.
One of the coolest parts of the tour was seeing the different stages of development. I also enjoyed the science behind this Oyster Farming. It was fascinating to learn about the important role that Oysters play in filtering our water and helping to keep our local ecosystems clean! Throughout the tour, we gained insights into the vital role oyster farms play in preserving and restoring coastal ecosystems. I definitely left the tour with a renewed appreciation for the environmental impact and sustainability efforts of oyster farming.
Shucking and Savoring
Did you know farm raised oysters are safe to eat year round? Yes, you can enjoy delicious Oysters in the middle of the summer! There’s nothing quite like savoring raw oysters fresh from the farm. One of the highlights of the tour was the opportunity to try our hand at shucking oysters. On a North Carolina Oyster farm tour, you are given a quick lesson on the proper technique to open these delicacies. You will have the truly freshest Oysters of your life!
The oysters grown at Ghost Fleet are known as Topsail Jewels, which are the oysters served locally at some of the best restaurants on the Crystal Coast and the surrounding areas. Cody explained what gives an Oyster its unique flavor. From mineral-rich to buttery and sweet, each oyster carries characteristics that were influenced by its environment. The satisfaction of enjoying freshly shucked oysters straight from the farm is an experience that you’ll savor long after the Oyster Farm Tour!
The Best Oyster Knives
Even on the Oyster Farm Tour they were using my all time favorite Oyster knives from Toadfish! You can get 15% off anything on their site using the code ITSALLGOOD15
What to bring on a North Carolina Oyster Farm Tour
Take advantage of this opportunity to make an Oyster pairing for your trip! According to one of my favorite books, What to Drink with What you Eat, this is a perfect excuse to pop a bottle of Champagne! The bubbles pair nicely with raw oysters. (Acidic white wines like Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris are also good). Likewise, if you’re more of a beer drinker, choose a Lager or Pilsner from your favorite local brewery. In terms of food, a charcuterie board also pairs nicely with fruit like watermelon to contrast the salty taste of the oysters. This is a great opportunity to discover how the flavor of the oysters can be enhanced by various accompaniments!
While each Oyster Tour is different, plan to be on the water for 3.5 to 4 hours. There is a shaded section of the boat, but I’d recommend bringing sunscreen. In addition, I would bring long sleeves (especially on a sunset cruise) since it is often cooler on the water. There is an ice chest on board to store your beverages or food.
In conclusion, meeting the passionate oyster farmers who cultivate these marvelous mollusks is an amazing part of the tour. It’s a chance to appreciate the intricacies of oyster cultivation, savor their flavor, and support sustainable practices. Embarking on a North Carolina oyster farm tour is an unforgettable experience that combines the beauty of the coast, the passion of oyster farmers, and the flavors of the sea.
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I’ve never thought of visiting an Oyster Farm. I can’t believe all that you can learn from visiting. Thanks for sharing.
Looks like a great experience, and you had some good weather for it too!
Champagne and oysters sounds like such a fun and fancy way to consume them while you look out at the pretty scenery!
I always like to see how different areas serve their fresh oysters… tabasco, lemon, or broiled… they are always tasty. What did they go with in this farm tour?
I have seen this type of excursion in Europe, but I didn’t know it existed closer to home. I’d like to try this unique experience! It looks like a fun way to spend an afternoon.
I love gastronomic tours, where one besides eating also learns something new. I would love to spend time at an Oyster Farm. What an experience – enjoying scenic views of the North Carolina coastline and savoring farm fresh oysters.
Definitely have a friend who would be interested in this so I’ve passed it on 🙂 thanks for sharing such an informative guide