“Experience Oysters” Aquaculture + VIMS

“Experience Oysters” Aquaculture + VIMS

Join our bus tour for a unique blend of fun and knowledge with an expert guide (James Abbott), as we delve into oyster education, take you behind the scenes at VIMS Seawater Research Lab, and treat your taste buds to a delightful oyster experience paired with a glass of wine, bread & dipping sauces.

This is a public tour. It is also available as a private customizable group tour for up to 16 people. Email info@TheNatureBus.com to arrange.

TOUR DATE: Saturday, November 2, 2024 

(Rain date is Sunday, Nov 3) Before purchasing your ticket, be sure you can go on the actual tour date and the rain date. This rain date is an alternate tour date, reserved for “severe” weather and lightning.  The trip ordinarily goes rain or shine. We provide umbrellas.

TIME: 10:30 am – 6:30 pm (8 hour tour) 

PRICE: $100/person + 2.6% credit card fee = $102.60

*Important Note: We do not offer ANY refunds after tour is booked.

DEPARTURE LOCATION: REI 350 Independence Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA  (Private groups can choose the pick-up location.

DESCRIPTION: This tour has participants “experiencing oysters” in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. To learn what we will do on this tour, you’ll need to read this blog  https://thenaturebus.com/experience-oysters/

(For clarification, we will go to the VIMS at Gloucester Pt and to Big Island Aquaculture this time – same article; different oyster farm). 

Your guide, James Abbott, will give you an oyster education and history on our ride to the Aquaculture Genetics & Breeding Center at VIMS (Virginia Institute of Marine Science) in Gloucester Point. Researchers there will show you the inner workings of the hatchery operation and how they are trying to save oyster of the Chesapeake Bay. We will then continue on to Big Island Aquaculture Farm, where you will see a working oyster farm and sample some of their incredible oysters.

We look forward to seeing you on the tour! Check out all of the 5-star reviews, so you will be super confident that you will have an amazing experience! You can read these reviews at TheNatureBus.com > click the REVIEWS tab or click this link: https://thenaturebus.com/reviews/

If you have any questions, please text/call the owner. Suzanne 757-288-9595

Planned itinerary/loose timing/subject to change as needed to enjoy nature:

• 10:00 am Check-in at REI 350 Independence Blvd, Virginia Beach (select your seat; use restroom). Bring waiver.
• 10:30 sharp Departure. Drive to VIMS Seawater Research Laboratory
• 10:30 – 11:30 One hour ride > Expert guide, James Abbott, will entertain and educate during transport.
• 11:30 – 12:15 picnic (bring your lunch; we will provide picnic blankets and/or folding camp chairs)
• 12:15 – 12:45 drive to VIMS
• 12:45 – 1:00 restroom/snack break at VIMS
• 1:00 – 2:30 VIMS Aquaculture/Seawater Laboratory Behind-the-Scenes Tour!
• 2:30 – 3:00 Drive to Big Island Aquaculture Farm
• 3:00 – 5:00 Oyster Tasting at Big Island Aquaculture Farm: watch oyster farmer Bruce harvest and shuck oysters out in the water and share a taste with you. Raw or fried. Or try both!
• 5:00 – 6:15/6:30-ish Return to REI, Virginia Beach.

Check-in and tour duration: Please arrive at the bus (REI 350 Independence Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA) at 10:00 am (15-30 min before departure).  Seat selection is based on the order that each individual checks-in. The check-in procedure takes some time. Have your printed/signed waiver + ID ready. Departure is promptly at 10:30 am. Return to REI approximately 6:30 pm. The tour is approximately 8 hours round trip: 10:30 – 6:30 (ish) – Flexible return time/Traffic + guest dependent. We “often” return later than the stated time due to a variety of reasons (one being that everyone is enjoying themselves). We do TRY to come back on time, but before purchasing your ticket, be sure you are ok with coming back later if that is how the day plays out.

“Adopt the pace of Nature: her secret is patience” by Ralph Waldo Emerson

WHAT’S INCLUDED:
– Expert pre-planning services
– Transportation: Departure from: REI 350 Independence Blvd, Virginia Beach > travel to  1443 Greate Rd, Gloucester Point, VA 23062 (approximately one hour ride each direction). Next travel to > 2149 Big Island View Road, Hayes, VA 23072. Return to REI.
– Air conditioned/heated, clean vehicle; this is a “school bus” with bench seats. It is a comfortable “eco tour bus” ready for adventures! (not a luxury vehicle with bucket seats)
– All fees (including gasoline, insurance, tolls, permits/admission fees when applicable to the destination locations; excluding food/drink except for items listed below)
– Picnic blankets and/or folding camp chairs
– Cooler with ice (in case you want to order fresh oysters)
– VIMS Behind-the-Scenes Seawater Research Laboratory Tour
– Guided tour by aquaculture farmer, Bruce, at Big Island Oyster Farm
– Food and drink: fresh oysters (just a sampling), bread, dipping sauces, one (1) glass of wine (red or white) or sparkling water, a cookie. (Feel free to bring your own preferred drink).
– Excellent on-board commentary and oyster aquaculture education program during transport.
–MEET YOUR GUIDE James Abbott:  https://thenaturebus.com/our-team/

THINGS TO BRING:

– Optional for some tours: Binoculars and/or camera for viewing wildlife (we cannot guarantee wildlife sightings as nature is unpredictable). Some guests like to bring a nature journal + pen(cil).
– Must have your COMPLETED WAIVER FORM: When you purchase a ticket for a tour, your name automatically appears on our tour “check-in list.” So, you do not need to bring your actual ticket. But . . . your signed waiver is your TICKET TO BOARD! We will collect this waiver at the door of the bus. Please print it at home, fill it in, sign it, and bring it with you. Here is the link to the required waiver form: https://thenaturebus.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/NB_Waiver1.pdf
– You are required to show ID. Only the original ticket holder can board the bus (names appear on our check-in sheet).
– Please, bring your lunch. Pack your lunch into your own “very small” insulated lunchbox with ice pack (ie: the type children use for school lunches). We encourage you to “go green” by using washable/reusable containers instead of single use plastics. We provide picnic blankets and/or folding chairs.
– Bring a refillable water bottle filled with ice water. We encourage you to “go green” by not using single use plastic water bottles.
– We recommend that you also pack “pocket-snacks” in your pocket or backpack – ie: granola bars, power bars, trail mix, or something else that is very EASY to snack on while walking outdoors. Please respect our strict policy: Eating, drinking, chewing gum is not permitted on the bus. The bus is SO clean and we want to keep it this way. For fear of choking hazards, we do not allow anything (even mints) while the bus is in motion. 
– IF you’d like to PRE-ORDER some FRESH oysters, bring $ to purchase from the farmer. Pre-order cost and  instructions will be sent via email prior to the trip. We will provide a cooler to keep them on ice for the ride back to REI.

– CASH! It is customary to tip 15% to your eco tours guide (15% = $15) 

– Optional – $25 cash if you’d like to purchase a Nature Bus t-shirt! You’ll love it. The expression on the t-shirt is: “SAY YES TO NEW ADVENTURES!” Can only be purchased on board the bus and only with advanced ordering. T-shirts are light blue or grey (as supplies last). If you’d like one, TEXT us 757-288-9595 with your t-shirt order ahead of time. Text this exact information: your first + last name, tour name, tour departure date, size of t-shirt (sm, m, lg, xl), color selection.

WHAT TO WEAR?

YOU ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR CLOSED-TOE SHOES/BOOTS FOR YOUR SAFETY. OYSTER SHELLS ARE RAZOR SHARP! We will tour the farm, with oyster shells on the ground.
– Wear closed-toe shoes. Flip-flops/sandals are not appropriate foot wear for nature outings.
– Dress for the weather. Famous quote: “There is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing” by Alfred Wainwright (a Norwegian saying). And another saying: “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass; it’s about learning how to dance in the rain” (unknown author/motivational quote).  Hot days > sunscreen, sunhat, lots of ice water, comfortable walking shoes (bathing suit, water shoes, towel for some tours). Cold days > warm layers, hats, gloves/mittens, warm boots, air-activated heat packs/inserts for your socks and mittens (available at REI). Rainy days > rain jacket, rain hat, umbrella, comfortable waterproof footwear (trails can be muddy if it rained the day before). TICKS: For forested or meadow trips >protect yourself from insects/ticks!  We recommend long pants tucked into light colored (white) knee-high socks to easily see ticks. Bring insect repellent and/or “the bug suit” (a thin mesh jacket + pants) (Google: the bug suit). After nature tours, especially if you have been in a forest or meadow, be sure to shower immediately and do a thorough “tick check.” You can Google “how to do a self tick check” for accurate instructions.

Really important notes  “Know before you go” ~

*We go “light rain” or shine or cold. Please dress for the weather. In the case of light rain, we simply take cover and wait it out. In the case of very heavy rain, extreme wind or temperatures, we will move the tour to the pre-arranged rain date. Not all tours have rain dates. See above for date (and rain date) associated with your tour.  ALL SALES FINAL/NO REFUNDS for any reasons, including sickness/covid. Only the ticket holder can board the bus. You are required to show ID. Tickets are not transferable. Only YOU have completed the registration (with emergency info, allergy info, etc). Please stay home if you are not feeling well or have a fever. To avoid a call on the day of the tour, please notify us via text 757-288-9595 if you would like to remove your name from the check-in list. Food/Drink: Again, eating, drinking, chewing gum is never permitted on the bus. There will be opportunities to eat (off of the bus) during the tour. WATER is always allowed on board the bus, and recommended.  Arrival: Please arrive 15-30 min before departure. The check-in process takes some time. Seat selection is based on the check-in order. When we check you in, you will receive a temporary bracelet with a number on it. This is the order you will board the bus and select your seat. Some seats are more desirable than others. The “hot seat” is the back seat. Some bus seats have wheel wells.  Waiver: Other tour guests do not want to wait (and loose time on their tour). Please save everyone time at check-in by bringing your signed waiver. No restroom on board the bus; arrive early enough to use the rr at REI (opens at 10 am) or Fresh Market (opens at 8 am) before boarding the bus. The tour itinerary includes restroom stops. Departure: We cannot wait for latecomers because we must adhere to our planned itinerary. Therefore we must pull away at the exact departure time. We cannot receive telephone/text calls to let us know you are running late because we will driving and using the phone as a GPS.

*ALL OUR TOURS INVOLVE WALKING; GUESTS SHOULD EXPECT VARYING DEGREES OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. This trip has a lot of STANDING during the two (2) behind-the-scenes experiences. Use a cane chair? Bring it. We apologize, but there is no room on board to accommodate wheel chairs or walkers. Our tours require participants to be ambulatory and in reasonably good physical health to manage our nature excursions. There are three (3) large steps to climb to enter the bus. There is one (1) handrail on the left of these steps. Health/COVID Safety Measures: We care about the health and safety of those participating in our nature experiences. The bus is sanitized between each tour. Feel free to crack open your window if you prefer. Please stay home if you are not feeling well or have a fever. Federal Law no longer “requires” masks be worn on airplanes, trains and buses. Masks are optional.

The owner’s Samoyed dog, named Sequoia, may be on your tour! She joins us on SOME tours. A service dog is trained to help people with disabilities. Sequoia is NOT a service dog. A therapy dog is trained to provide comfort and affection to people. Sequoia was certified as a Therapy Dog by TDI in 2021 (not updated). She is safe, friendly, sweet and has all of her vaccinations up to date at all times. (*note: if you are allergic or frightened of dogs, you may not want to purchase a ticket; you may also request to sit in the back, further from Sequoia). Want to learn more details about Sequoia and/or see a photo of her? MEET SEQUOIA:  https://thenaturebus.com/our-team/

• We must meet our minimum number of participants for a tour to GO! Most of our tours fill up FAST. But if we do not meet the minimum, then we will cancel the tour and you will be reimbursed (- minus the 2.6% credit card processing fee). We will notify you 48 hours before the tour departure via email.
• Share on your social media and with everyone you know! Let them know you are going on a really amazing tour! Spread the word! Help fill up the bus 🙂 See you soon!
• If you have any questions, please text/call the owner. Suzanne 757-288-9595