Half Shell Adventures offers private charters, special events, seafood cruises, and much more!
At Half Shell Adventures, we offer private charters, special event cruises, happy hour specials, and more! This 94-year-old wooden buyboat is 54' long and ready to welcome you aboard. Whether you’re a Half Shell regular or thinking about joining us for the first time, our public cruises truly do have something for everyone! Come aboard a morning or afternoon cruise and let the sounds of the water
and the scenic views of the Chesapeake Bay and Patuxent River relax and rejuvenate you. Or, show up ready to let a little loose and have big fun with our “booze cruise” style outings. With cruises available for holidays, community events, and as part of our weekly calendar, there is something for everyone! Looking for the perfect way to celebrate your next special occasion, or searching for the right venue to entertain family or friends? How better to experience Southern Maryland and the Chesapeake Bay and Patuxent River than aboard a historic boat-turned pleasure cruiser? Private charters are PERFECT for special events, anniversary celebrations, micro-weddings, or just because.
07/17/2024
To our loving patrons, supporters, and friends of the Half Shell. Some of you may know, but we wanted to make a final announcement that Half Shell Adventures is permanently closed.
We are so thankful for 5 beautiful summers serving and connecting with the Solomon’s community. Our team truly loved being a part of your celebrations, and sharing in the joy of time spent on the water with boat drinks and great company.
Thank you to all who have played a part in our story over the years. Onto our next Adventure!
06/16/2023
2023 Season Update
As of June 2023, Half Shell Adventures is closed due to matters outside of our control. At this time, we do not have an opening date for the 2023 season. Any updates will be sent out to our email list and Facebook community.
We appreciate your patience and your patronage and hope to be able to serve you soon.
05/17/2023
Hello to our amazing Half Shell Family! We just wanted to update everyone and let them know at this time we are still closed for the season as we prepare our amazing historic vessel. Keep an eye on our page for updates for our opening date!
12/03/2022
Today is the last day to get FREE MONEY gift cards!
Small Business Saturday Gift Card Special
Get extra this holiday season! Now through Saturday, December 3rd when you purchase a gift card you will receive a bonus on us. Purchase a $50 gift card and receive an extra $10. For more FREE money, purchase a gift card of $100 and receive an extra $40.
Just click our "Shop Now" button or visit our website at halfshelladventures.com to purchase.
11/26/2022
Small Business Saturday Gift Card Special
Get extra this holiday season! Now through Saturday, December 3rd when you purchase a gift card you will receive a bonus on us. Purchase a $50 gift card and receive an extra $10. For more FREE money, purchase a gift card of $100 and receive an extra $40.
Just click our "Shop Now" button or visit our website at halfshelladventures.com to purchase.
11/02/2022
When it comes to ci**rs, The Toasted Foot Lounge brings the heat 💨🔥
So naturally, we called in the experts for yet another Cigar Tasting Cruise on the Half Shell. 😎
Join us this Saturday 11/5 from 2-5pm for our very last cruise of the 2022 season!
"This was my fourth bourbon/ cigar cruise and I had a great time and everything was great the boat, the staff, we left on time and everything was very professional and safe. I'm looking forward to my next cruise and meeting new people. And let's not forget Toasted Foot, they were fantastic."
- Wilbur C.
"The bourbon and cigar cruise was great. The ship's crew was helpful and eager to please and the folks from the Toasted Foot were friendly. I look forward to this cruise again!"
- Bryan D.
Join us for our last public cruise of the season this Saturday. Gorgeous weather expected, 75 & sunny 😎 ☀️ ☀️😎
We're counting the days until our Cigar Cruise with The Toasted Foot Lounge next Saturday, November 5!
Each ticket includes:
🍂 A scenic 3-hour cruise for you to luxuriate in the calm, colorful views of fall on the Half Shell
🍂 1 cigar from Toasted Foot
🍂 Your first drink—a bourbon or whiskey cocktail perhaps! Or, another beverage that suits your fancy.
We've had our friends from The Toasted Foot onboard with us before, but this time we're offering something a little different. We want you to feel free to pair your cigar with the food and drink of your choice! We encourage you to grab takeout from your favorite local restaurant, or bring your favorite snack pairing onboard to enjoy.
You'll be able to choose your cigar from a selection of options recommended by the certified tobacconists at The Toasted Foot. Additional ci**rs will be available for purchase onboard, and we've heard whispers of exclusive specials for Half Shell's guests, only available on this cruise!
It's not too late to grab your tickets for Saturday's Cigar Cruise with The Toasted Foot Lounge!
Saturday, Nov. 5 from 2-5pm
Tickets are $85 and include your 3-hour cruise, 1 cigar, and your first drink. Plus, you'll get to chat with the cigar experts at Toasted Foot and have the chance to purchase additional ci**rs onboard.
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Half Shell Adventures posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
About Us
After more than 15 years in Baltimore and Washington, DC, the historic Chesapeake Bay buyboat, Half Shell, made her way to Solomons Island in November of 2017. From our dock at No Thyme to Cook (formerly Bowen’s Inn), Half Shell Adventures offers public cruises and private charters on the Patuxent River and Chesapeake Bay.
Join us for one of our scheduled public outings: Thursday night happy hours, uniquely themed cruises, concert listening experiences, nautical wine tastings, crab and oyster feasts, and so much more. We also offer private charters which are perfect for birthday celebrations, anniversaries, girls nights out, corporate team-buildings, weddings... Just name the occasion and we’ll help you make it an event to remember!
View our calendar of upcoming events here. Drop us a line to inquire about reserving the Half Shell for a private charter.
Restaurants are wonderful and the view of the water from land is lovely. But dining aboard the Half Shell and experiencing the river and bay from a beautiful, charming, historic buyboat is a completely unique experience unlike any other in the area. We are thankful for the warm, enthusiastic welcome we have received from the Southern Maryland community since our establishment in Summer 2018!
Half Shell’s History
Built in 1928 in Perrin, Virginia, the Half Shell has been running environmental education tours with the Living Classrooms Foundation for the last 15 years. Just like the Calvert Marine Museum’s W.B. Tennison, the Half Shell is what’s known as a buyboat. Long before tractor trailers took over their job on land, buyboats would purchase (literally “buy”) oysters and fish from watermen as they were working and bring them into port to sell.
In between seafood hauls, they were loaded down with watermelons, tomatoes and pumpkins – making their way up and down the Bay. And as large, open decked boats, they’re the perfect choice for recreational cruises. The Half Shell is U.S. Coast Guard certified, 54’ long, 27 tons, and ready to carry up to 42 passengers.
