Life’s so much better with a little salt, oysters, a glass of champagne and a boat ride. At Saldanha Bay’s C-Side Oysters, all four things have been bundled into one unforgettable experience.
The oyster tour whisks visitors from Pepper Bay Harbour into the inner bay’s calm waters, where ropes suspended beneath the surface quietly produce some of South Africa’s finest cultivated oysters and mussels. A one-hour cruise takes you through the working oyster farm. Here you’ll discover how these remarkable shellfish grow, why Saldanha’s cold, nutrient-rich waters are their happy place, and why patience is rewarded with seafood that tastes as though it was invented yesterday.
Then comes the fun part. Armed with expert guidance, you’ll learn the fine art of shucking without sacrificing a thumb. Freshly opened oysters are served moments after leaving the water, accompanied by a glass of bubbly that somehow tastes even better in the Atlantic breeze. Sadly, the odds of discovering a pearl remain stubbornly disappointing, but you’ll leave with something far more useful—a new appreciation for sustainable aquaculture.
Keep your camera ready, too. Depending on the season, seals, seabirds, dolphins and even penguins may decide to join the outing, totally unimpressed by your oyster-opening techniques.
Ideal for couples, families, friends or corporate groups, the tours require a minimum of four people and should be booked in advance, as both availability and the famously unpredictable West Coast weather have the final say.
Bookings: Charlene Beaumont-Thomas, 083 2933848, c-side@absamail.co.za; Fee R750 pp.
