Cookies! They are not just something we eat. This site uses cookies so we can provide you the best user experience and deliver advertising and offers that are relevant to you. To read more about our cookie policy, including how to change your cookie settings, please read our Privacy and Cookie Policy. By continuing to use the site you are agreeing to our cookie policy.
VIEW PHOTOS
VIEW PHOTOS

Host: David

Galway, Ireland

USD
$56 per person

Small group oyster tour and tasting at Ballinakill Bay

Host offerings
  • Rural farmhouse
  • Professional cook
  • Pets
  • Vegetarian
  • Alcohol
  • Transportation
  • Cooking class
  • Market visit
  • Food tour

Meet David

In 2014, David acquired and started restoring the oyster farm at Ballinakill Bay. With the help of his hard working staff, they have successfully reignited the magical taste of Connemara oysters which have been grown in the area since 1893. Ireland and the Wild Atlantic Way are renowned for its delicious seafood delights and the oysters from David’s farm lives up to this reputation! Their oysters are a pacific oyster (Crassostrea Gigas) and are available all year round. They are even served in local hotels, restaurants and are exported worldwide as well.

Food can evoke all our five senses – smell, hearing, sight, touch and taste. A tour of David's oyster farm truly does reach all these senses. Smell the fresh wild Atlantic air and hear the soothing sounds of the sea. See the farm crew working hard in the water to grow the most perfect, meaty oysters. Touch the oysters when you shuck your own and finish your tour with the taste of a beautiful fresh oyster.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

Food tour: (1-10 guests) Meet David at his oyster farm which is one of the oldest in Ireland, dating back to 1893. The oyster farm is a working sea farm and the experience is very rural and informative, giving you an introduction to the world of oysters! The oysters thrive in the pristine waters of Ballinakill Bay, which is surrounded by the Connemara hills and the Connemara National Park, making for some spectacular views!

During this oyster tour and tasting, you will learn about the history of the farm, life cycle of the oyster from seed to plate and how they take the taste from the region they are grown in. Then walk on the seashore to the oyster beds (during spring tides only), pick oyster’s fresh from the waters of Ballinakill Bay, learn how to shuck them, before you enjoy them. Please note that this is not a private experience. There may be others present during your oyster tour.

Notes: The tour lasts approximately 1 hour and goes through the whole process of how the farm brings the oysters from seed right through to your plate. During spring tides, they run longer tours as you get to experience a seashore walk and see the different stages of growth in the water. The tours are suitable for anyone aged 6 years and up. We recommend that you wear water-proof and slip-proof footwear and dress for the weather of the day. Please note that this is NOT a private tour.

Languages spoken: English

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • No lunch is included, only oyster tour and tasting
PERSONALLY VETTED REVIEW
A Traveling Spoon ambassador visited this host. Here is their personal review.

Great. Very interesting tour and David knows a lot about Oysters and Oyster farming. Super to taste oysters fresh from the sea – we had not tasted them before - and to learn about their lives and history in Ireland. And of course the area is spectacular.

Cliff , Traveling Spoon Ambassador

Traveler reviews

5.0 (2)
Very nice experience! Authentic tour of an oyster farm. We both really enjoyed it. Paul taught you about how the oysters are grown, 'formed', and sorted. Would recommend
- Elise_W May 27, 2024
A very personal tour with David who gave an interesting account of all the ins and outs of running an oyster farming business, most of which we had never considered. A couple of hours well spent!
- Suzanne October 31, 2022
E0b1ddaf 3a30 475d a3e4 a3fec0bcbb1c

David

$56 USD

per person
100% VETTED
Learn more
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back
  • Credit card is not charged until the host confirms your booking
  • Private experience
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Food Tour
$56 $56 $56
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Food Tour
$56 $56 $56
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
Lunch Dinner
Food Tour
11:00am-12:00pm

Meet David

In 2014, David acquired and started restoring the oyster farm at Ballinakill Bay. With the help of his hard working staff, they have successfully reignited the magical taste of Connemara oysters which have been grown in the area since 1893. Ireland and the Wild Atlantic Way are renowned for its delicious seafood delights and the oysters from David’s farm lives up to this reputation! Their oysters are a pacific oyster (Crassostrea Gigas) and are available all year round. They are even served in local hotels, restaurants and are exported worldwide as well.

Food can evoke all our five senses – smell, hearing, sight, touch and taste. A tour of David's oyster farm truly does reach all these senses. Smell the fresh wild Atlantic air and hear the soothing sounds of the sea. See the farm crew working hard in the water to grow the most perfect, meaty oysters. Touch the oysters when you shuck your own and finish your tour with the taste of a beautiful fresh oyster.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

Food tour: (1-10 guests) Meet David at his oyster farm which is one of the oldest in Ireland, dating back to 1893. The oyster farm is a working sea farm and the experience is very rural and informative, giving you an introduction to the world of oysters! The oysters thrive in the pristine waters of Ballinakill Bay, which is surrounded by the Connemara hills and the Connemara National Park, making for some spectacular views!

During this oyster tour and tasting, you will learn about the history of the farm, life cycle of the oyster from seed to plate and how they take the taste from the region they are grown in. Then walk on the seashore to the oyster beds (during spring tides only), pick oyster’s fresh from the waters of Ballinakill Bay, learn how to shuck them, before you enjoy them. Please note that this is not a private experience. There may be others present during your oyster tour.

Notes: The tour lasts approximately 1 hour and goes through the whole process of how the farm brings the oysters from seed right through to your plate. During spring tides, they run longer tours as you get to experience a seashore walk and see the different stages of growth in the water. The tours are suitable for anyone aged 6 years and up. We recommend that you wear water-proof and slip-proof footwear and dress for the weather of the day. Please note that this is NOT a private tour.

Languages spoken: English

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • No lunch is included, only oyster tour and tasting
PERSONALLY VETTED REVIEW
A Traveling Spoon ambassador visited this host. Here is their personal review.

Great. Very interesting tour and David knows a lot about Oysters and Oyster farming. Super to taste oysters fresh from the sea – we had not tasted them before - and to learn about their lives and history in Ireland. And of course the area is spectacular.

Cliff , Traveling Spoon Ambassador

Traveler reviews

5.0 (2)
Very nice experience! Authentic tour of an oyster farm. We both really enjoyed it. Paul taught you about how the oysters are grown, 'formed', and sorted. Would recommend
- Elise_W May 27, 2024
A very personal tour with David who gave an interesting account of all the ins and outs of running an oyster farming business, most of which we had never considered. A couple of hours well spent!
- Suzanne October 31, 2022
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Food Tour
$56 $56 $56
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Food Tour
$56 $56 $56
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
Lunch Dinner
Food Tour
11:00am-12:00pm
ABOUT TRAVELING SPOON

Traveling Spoon connects you with meaningful culinary experiences, from private cooking lessons to homecooked meals in people's homes. Enjoy an immersive cultural experience that gives you a glimpse into the local way of life.

FAQ

    You can cancel your reservation up until 48 hours before your experience for a full refund minus a 3% processing fee. Experiences within 48 hours are not refundable.

    If you have a question for your host, you can include a note in the field "Write a note to your host" during the booking process. Once your booking is confirmed, you will be emailed your host's direct contact information and you will also be able to message the host through your profile. You can always cancel your booking and receive a full refund 48 hours or more before your experience. If you have other questions you can also email us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Most of our hosts are able to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, including vegetarian and gluten free options. For vegetarian travelers, we have an icon on each host profile to indicate whether that host can also offer a fully vegetarian menu. There is a section in the booking form to note any allergies or dietary restrictions which will be sent directly to your host.

    Some hosts offer alcohol as an optional add-on for travelers who are of legal drinking age. Pricing for alcohol is visible on the host profile page and includes one to two glasses of wine, beer or local alcohol.

    Have a flight or other tour planned and can’t make the timing provided? If the timing listed on the host’s profile doesn’t work for you, our hosts can often accommodate timing changes. Because all of our experiences are private our hosts are happy to tailor experiences to meet your travel needs. Simply note your request in the booking process.

    Your card will not be charged until your host accepts your booking. Typically hosts respond to bookings within 72 hours. In the event your host is unavailable on your selected date and your host rejects your booking your credit card will not be charged.

    Your host's detailed contact information, including their phone number, address, and direction notes, will all be provided immediately upon successful confirmation of your experience (after your hosts accepts your booking and your credit card is successfully processed). This information will be emailed to you to the email address you used to sign up, and will also be visible on your Traveling Spoon profile.

    All prices are noted per person prices unless otherwise specified. Transportation is typically charged on a per car basis. Children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free. Hosts set their own prices and Traveling Spoon marks up the experiences; on average hosts receive over 70% of the price paid by the traveler.

    100% of Traveling Spoon experiences are private! Just you and your host and host’s family.

    Hosts typically respond to booking inquiries within 72 hours. If for some reason you have not heard from your host or if you have any questions you can always contact us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Your safety and security are our top priority. To ensure this, Traveling Spoon personally vets 100% of all hosts, including an in-person host visit, to ensure each host and experience meets our strict quality requirements.

    Some hosts offer transportation as an optional add-on for travelers. Typically this is round trip transportation with pick up and drop off at your hotel. Pricing is quoted per car. Specific instructions for transportation will be provided in your confirmation details when your booking is confirmed.

    Many of our hosts accommodate solo travelers. You can see if a host accepts solo travelers by looking at the traveler range found next to the experience descriptions on the host profile (indicated by the numbers in parentheses next to "In-home meal", "Cooking experience" and "Market visit").

    Most of our Traveling Spoon experiences are incredibly family friendly and can accommodate infants and children. If a host is unable to accommodate children that will be noted in the “Notes” section of their profile. Our child pricing policy is children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free.