Oyster Farms Charter Adventure

$175 per person

6 people per charter

Workshop Description

We’ve partnered with Sandpiper Maine Excursions for this exclusive half-day (4 hour) charter adventure, which includes private farm tours and tastings at Glidden Point Oyster Farm and Blackstone Point Oyster Co. Gather your friends for a once-in-a-lifetime experience — the river is your oyster!

Itinerary

Enjoy a trip along the stunning Damariscotta River onboard Sandpiper, a 32ft lobster cruiser. This will be a half day journey (four hours) with two stops at working oyster farms: Glidden Point Oysters and Blackstone Point Oyster Co. Both farms are locally-owned and operate throughout the year, rain or shine. Each tour will involve a guided walkthrough of their floating facilities and a tasting of their delicious oysters! With the tasting, guests will learn how to shuck an oyster, differentiate tasting profiles, and learn about their unique growing techniques and habitat in Maine's midcoast. Guests can purchase merchandise from each farm store, as well as additional food and drinks at Glidden Point, our second stop of the day. 

As this charter is exclusive to Down East, there are also options to enjoy swimming, libations, and sight-seeing on this charter. 

More about Sandpiper

The Boat

Sandpiper, a “Down East” cruiser, was built in 1976 by David S. (Bud) McIntosh, who designed and built wooden boats of exquisite quality for nearly fifty years. In 2009, Paul Rollins, a celebrated boatbuilder in York, Maine, became the owner and caretaker. Paul did extensive work on the boat while also completing many cruises onboard from Maine to the Bahamas.

The Team

Owners Meredith Spratt and Logan Livingston purchased Sandpiper in 2022 and look forward to welcoming you onboard to enjoy the splendors of this beautiful boat!

Meeting in 2010 while both working a 200ft square rigged sail training vessel in Nova Scotia, the couple has spent the last 14 years working together on traditional, classic, and modern yachts, as well as pursuing their own paths in the maritime field. The two settled in Damariscotta in 2020, where they continue to be awestruck by the ever-changing ebb and flow of the Damariscotta River.

More about the Oyster Farms

Glidden Point Oyster Farm

Established in 1987, Glidden Point has helped pave the way in Maine Aquaculture and continues to serve as a bellwether for what a Maine oyster can be. Their combination of ideal growing habitats and thoughtful farming practices results in an oyster that not only tastes amazing, but also has a robust, easy-to-open shell and excellent shell-to-meat ratio.

Since 2016, owner Ryan McPherson has kept "the slow tradition" alive by ensuring the majority of Glidden Point oysters are hand-harvested by divers.

Blackstone Point Oyster Co.

Brendan Parsons started Blackstone Point Oyster Co. in 2016. With a focus on sustainable farming, Blackstone produces world-class oysters from the pristine Damariscotta River and distributes to wholesalers, restaurants (including Blackstone's owners' very own restaurant, Shuck Station, in Newcastle), and other retail consumers.

Blackstone supports Maine’s coastal working waterfront through low environmental impact growing practices and promoting the history of the Damariscotta River. Their daily focus is to produce a consistent high quality oyster, and they recently became the first oyster farm in Maine certified as a BCorp!

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I wear?

Maine weather can change on a dime, so it's best to be prepared. We recommend a hat, sunblock, and sunglasses, as well as a light jacket or sweater, and a light rain jacket never hurts. Comfortable non-skid and non-heeled shoes are encouraged.

What should I pack?

We will have plenty of water and oysters onboard, but please feel free to bring your own food, alcoholic beverages (for 21+ passengers), and/or non-alcoholic beverages that you’d like.

Where do we meet the boat?

Please arrive ten minutes ahead of schedule at the Damariscotta town landing. There are numerous public parking lots within a two minute walk of the dock.

What happens if the weather doesn’t cooperate?

If a big storm is predicted, the trip will be rescheduled. However, in the chance of a light rain, we will continue the trip.

Is there a bathroom on board?

We do have a bathroom onboard, but remember that it is a boat head and so is a bit different than what you're used to. The public restrooms in the town parking lot are also open daily.

Are children allowed on board?

Children are always welcome aboard! We will supply lifejackets for your little ones.

Cancellations

The payment is 50% refundable in the event you have to cancel, as long as the cancellation is made 21 days before the trip. After that time, your payment is non-refundable. Alternately, 100% of your payment will be refunded if a replacement can be found prior to the trip.