How to Shuck an Oyster Like a Pro – Or Watch Us Do It on the Boat! 🦪⚓

There’s something undeniably satisfying about shucking your own oyster — the pop of the hinge, the glint of seawater, and that first briny bite straight from the shell. Whether you're a total beginner or just oyster-curious, we’re here to demystify the process… or do it for you while you kick back and enjoy the view.

At Nauti Sisters Tours & Charters, we love sharing our passion for Maine oysters — and that includes teaching you how to enjoy them like a local.

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Step-by-Step: How to Shuck an Oyster Like a Pro

Here’s how we do it on the boat — and how you can give it a shot, too:

1. Start with a Fresh, Cold Oyster

Keep your oysters on ice, cup-side down (that’s the rounded side), and give them a rinse if needed. Fresh oysters should be tightly closed and smell like the sea — clean and briny.

2. Grip It Like You Mean It

Use a thick towel or shucking glove to hold the oyster firmly in your non-dominant hand. The hinge — that pointed end — should face you.

3. Wiggle, Wiggle, Pop

Slide your oyster knife into the hinge and gently wiggle until you feel it catch. Give a twist to pop the top shell open. You’ll feel a release — that’s the magic moment.

4. Slide and Separate

Run your knife along the inside of the top shell to cut the adductor muscle. Remove the top, then do the same under the oyster to fully detach it from the shell. Don’t spill the liquor (that briny liquid inside) — it’s packed with flavor!

5. Slurp and Enjoy

Add a splash of lemon, a drop of mignonette, or nothing at all. Oysters are best served simply and eaten right from the shell. Cheers to the coast!

Not Ready to Shuck? No Problem.

That’s why we’re here.

On every Nauti Sisters Tour, we offer an on-board tasting of oysters freshly pulled from the sea. You’ll learn how they’re farmed, how to tell a good shuck from a mangled mess, and — if you’re brave — you can give it a try yourself under the guidance of your captain. Prefer to watch? Sit back, sip your drink, and let us do the work.

Whether you're hands-on or hands-off, we promise you’ll leave with a deeper appreciation for what’s on your plate.

Ready to Taste the Bay?

Join us this summer for an unforgettable oyster experience on Casco Bay. Book your private tour, learn to shuck like a pro, and toast to Maine’s working waterfront — one shell at a time.

📍 Private tours & tastings for 2–12 guests