About this experience
Discover the Oosterschelde National Park on a guided oyster-picking tour. Learn about the ecosystem, pick wild oysters, and enjoy a glass of sparkling wine and BBQ oysters.
Highlights
- A warm introduction at the restaurant with coffee or thee
- Savor the taste of fresh oysters straight from the oyster reefs
- Learn how to pick wild oysters responsibly with a local guide
- Enjoy a glass of sparkling wine and oysters with BBQ toppings
- Discover the tidal landscape of the Oosterschelde National Park
What's included
- Welcome & introduction with coffee or tea
- Safety briefing
- Guided walk through the tidal landscape
- Oyster picking & tasting
- Sparkling wine
- BBQ with oyster toppings
- Professional guidance & safety
- Oyster knife
How to use
- Show Mobile Ticket
- At Redemption Counter
What to expect
Wild Oyster Picking Tour – taste, experience and enjoy nature
Welcome to our Wild Oyster Picking Tour in the Oosterschelde: a unique experience where nature, tranquillity, knowledge and culinary pleasure come together. This is not a standard excursion and certainly not a restaurant visit, but a complete experience in which you go out yourself, learn, discover and ultimately enjoy what the sea has to offer.
A warm and relaxed beginning
We start the tour calmly and warmly at Restaurant De Heerenkeet. With a good cup of coffee or tea, we take the time to get acquainted and explain what you can expect. No rush, no tight schedule – this moment immediately sets the tone. You step out of daily routine and into the rhythm of the sea and the tides.
During this introduction, we talk about the Oosterschelde: the largest national park in the Netherlands, unique because of its saltwater, tidal movement and rich underwater life. You will receive clear guidance on safety, respectful interaction with nature and responsible picking of wild oysters.
Out with the tide
Then we head into the tidal zone together. We walk across mudflats and sandbanks where the sea has just withdrawn. Here, in this raw and pure landscape, the wild Zeeland oysters grow.
You will learn:
- How to recognise a good oyster
- What to look out for when picking them
- Why some oysters are better eaten raw and others are perfect for the BBQ
- How the Oosterschelde ecosystem works
Along the way there is plenty of space for questions, stories and moments of wonder. You might see crabs scuttling away, birds foraging, or simply feel how alive this landscape is. This is learning by doing, with your feet in nature.
Picking yourself = real connection
Picking oysters yourself is what makes this tour so special. You directly experience where food comes from and how much nature, seasons and tides influence flavour and quality. Many participants say afterwards that they will never look at oysters the same way again.
We always picking on a small scale and responsibly. Respect for nature comes first, so that future visitors – and the ecosystem itself – can continue to enjoy this place.
Time to enjoy
After picking, we return to our outdoor spot. This is where the culinary part of the tour begins. The oysters are cleaned and opened on the spot. You can choose:
Raw, pure and natural, with that distinctive salty taste, from the BBQ, warm, lightly smoky and surprisingly rich
For many, this is a revelation: even people who think they don’t like oysters discover a whole new flavour experience here. We serve a glass of cava alongside it – fresh, festive and perfectly suited to the moment.
Outdoor cooking at its best
You are outside, you smell the sea, hear the birds and taste what this place produces. This is slow food in its purest form. We take our time. No one needs to rush or eat quickly. It is a moment of togetherness, sharing and enjoyment.
This is Zeeland at its purest.
Things to note
- Rain gear
- Camera
- Cash
- Change of clothes
- Clothes that can get dirty
- Windbreaker
- Water shoes
- Warm clothing
- Towel
- Sunscreen
- Jacket
- Weather-appropriate clothing
- Waterproof shoes
Terms & conditions
Wear clothes that may get wet and muddy
Wear warm clothes (always colder on the ocean)
Bring a small towel and work gloves
Bring a bucket, hammer, and a flathead screwdriver
Bring rain shoes / boots
Oyster knife you can buy at location for at home
Bring clean clothes/shoes for the restaurant
This is not a boat tour
Dogs are allowed in restaurant
The toilet is at the starting point
Walking distance 800m
Free koffie or thee incl
Free glas of sparkling wine / water incl