Take a Tour!
Oyster farm tours are one of the most unique and immersive ways to experience North Carolina’s coast. The NC Oyster Trail offers over a dozen opportunities to glimpse behind the scenes of the state’s aquaculture industry and discover how oysters make their journey from farm to table. Whether you’re an oyster-enthusiast or simply looking for a new adventure, farm tours offer a close-up look at one of North Carolina’s most sustainable seafood industries.
Oyster farm tours can be found throughout the coast, from the southern waters of New Hanover county to the Crystal Coast and Pamlico Sound. Each area has its own distinctive environmental conditions, giving visitors the chance to experience different landscapes and oyster varieties.
While every tour is different, most combine time on the water with opportunities to meet oyster growers, learn about aquaculture, and sample oysters harvested fresh from the farm. Visitors may cruise through scenic estuaries, watch farming techniques in action, or even try their hand at shucking an oyster. Along the way, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the habitats and growers behind every oyster.
Photo Credit: Hold Fast Oyster Co.
A Day on the Water with Hold Fast Oyster Co.
One NC Oyster Trail business helping bring this experience to life is Hold Fast Oyster Co. in Sneads Ferry. Their tours combine oyster tasting, environmental education, and cruising through the surrounding coastal ecosystems.
On a Hold Fast tour, guests begin with a boat ride through the waters of North Topsail Beach before arriving at the farm’s custom-built floating oyster bar. There, visitors learn to shuck oysters harvested moments earlier while enjoying curated pairings that complement the flavors of their Seabirdies and Southern Salt varieties.
The experience extends beyond the farm itself, with opportunities to explore nearby barrier islands, search for shells, and discover the ecosystems that make oyster farming possible.
We spoke with Hold Fast oyster farmer Matt Schwab about what makes his tours such a memorable experience.
Hold Fast Oyster Co. Owner, Matt Schwab. Photo by Justin Kase Conder
Q&A with Matt Schwab of Hold Fast Oyster Co.
Q: What inspired you to start offering oyster farm tours, and what do you hope visitors take away from the experience?
A: To me, oysters have always been synonymous with community. Our tours bring together oyster-curious people to enjoy the world’s most sustainable protein at its source.
Q: For someone who has never visited an oyster farm before, what can they expect when they join one of your tours?
A: A fully immersive oyster experience! We wade in waist deep water on the sandbar next to our farm. There we have a floating picnic table that serves as your own personal raw bar. Tours can be private, but the most fun is a full boat of complete strangers ready to shuck.
Q: What surprises guests most when they step onto the farm and learn how oysters are grown?
A: Most are surprised at the nice sandy, beach-like environment. Everyone is always surprised that all oysters cultivated on the East Coast are the same species.
Q: Your tours combine oyster tasting with exploring barrier islands and coastal habitats. In your experience, how does being out on the water help people connect with North Carolina’s coast?
A: I really stress the importance that a strong oyster population has on the overall health of our coastal environment. Then I connect how our actions impact the oyster population’s health. It’s cyclical really, and being front and center on the farm helps drive that point home.
Q: If you could describe the Hold Fast experience in one sentence to someone, what would you tell them?
A: Sand between your toes, fresh oysters and a glass of wine…what more needs to be said?
Photo Credit: Meagan Forbes, Hold Fast Oyster Co.
Adventure Awaits
An oyster farm tour is not only a relaxing day on the water, but a delicious and educational opportunity. Interested in experiencing an oyster farm for yourself? The NC Oyster Trail features more than a dozen tour operators across the coast, each offering a unique perspective on North Carolina’s oyster industry. Visit the NC Oyster Trail website to find a tour near you and plan your next adventure.
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The NC Oyster Trail is administered by:
