Squam Lake Cruises

New Hampshire is famous for its picturesque lakes and mountains, and Squam Lake is a gem among many. See its amazingly clear water, rocky shores, celebrated islands, historic homes, scenic mountain views, and remarkable wildlife.

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If you are looking for a memorable experience, choose from one of our 90-minute guided tours on beautiful Squam Lake.

Discover Squam

Bald Eagle Adventure

Loon Cruise

Cruise with a Naturalist

Private Charters

Group Tours

Cruise Rates

Cruise Pass Fees (2023)	Member Rate	Non-Member Rate
Adult	$26.00	$30.00
Senior	$24.00	$28.00
Youth (Age 15 and under)	$22.00	$26.00
Not recommended for children under 5. Squam Lake Cruises are held on small, covered pontoon boats holding approximately 20 passengers. They are narrated tours and passengers must remain seated for the duration of the cruise. Children age 12 and under must wear a life jacket per New Hampshire State law.

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Cruises are 90 minutes long and on canopied pontoon boats. Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your cruise departure time. New Hampshire State law requires youth ages 12 and under to wear a life jacket on board.

Advance reservations are required.

Space on all cruises is limited. Everyone must make advance reservations and payment. We do not hold seats or maintain waiting lists.

Cancellations:

Cruises may be cancelled if there are fewer than four passengers registered. Cruises may be cancelled at any time due to weather, unsafe conditions, or other circumstances. If we cancel a cruise we will contact passengers to reschedule on another date or to issue a full refund. If passengers must cancel, please call the Science Center at 603-968-7194 x 7 to reschedule or request a full refund. Passengers must cancel at least 90 minutes before the start of the cruise to receive a refund.

Parking:

Squam Lakes Natural Science Center is located on Route 113 in Holderness, NH. Park in Science Center parking lots and follow the walking path across Route 113 to Lake Cruise Headquarters. Please arrive 15 minutes before your cruise departure time. Find us on Google Maps

Be Prepared:

Please arrive for your lake cruise with appropriate clothing for current weather conditions and remember that it is often cooler on the water. We recommend layers with rain/wind jackets, hats, and gloves if needed.

Thank you to our Squam Lake Cruise sponsors
Squam Boat Livery.

hillary simpson, 07/15/20
Its always fun to come here!! This time we came in the afternoon and it was a little hot. Not all the animals were out but it was still a great time! Barred owl, deer, black bear and mountain lions to name a few! They did a great job incorporating social distancing without taking too much from the experience.
Duane Metz, 07/13/23
I can not say enough about this place! Having received an undergraduate degree in Recreation and Parks, I have a good understanding of what it takes to be successful. This park checks all of the boxes! Most of the animals there (if not all) are rescues, and it is very obvious how much the staff love them! They are in their natural habitats, which allows visitors to better understand how they live. There are a lot of hands-on exhibits, both physical and auditory, so that everyone can learn in the style best suited for them. The signage is well done and informative, and they also had 3 different animal encounters throughout the day. Furthermore, there are 3 trails you can hike, as well as a garden, and everything has signage that makes sure everyone can learn as much about something as they would like. With the fact that they have a nice picnic area just outside the exhibit area, plus a playground further into the park, you can easily find yourself spending anywhere from 2 hours to a full day there. My family and I are visiting from out-of-state, but if we lived nearby, we would definitely buy a membership!
Edward C. Domaingue II, 08/16/19
This is superb for children. A top choice and it just keeps getting better. The current dinosaur exhibit is just one example. Where else can you bring the family to see a mountain lion, bobcat, fox, bear in a relatively natural environment? For a respite, there are indoor exhibits and an outdoor play area. No restaurant, just a very simple snack bar, so consider packing a picnic lunch. There are lots of picnic tables. Great place for kids!!
Stephen Trajeski, 07/18/22
This is a really big nature center with Science involved. Good for the kids and adults to learn some everyday things about animals and insects. Love the big moving insects as you walk through the park. Would of gave it 5 starts but most of the animals were not even there. The costs is $22 for Adults fyi. It was a nice donation!
Brianna Gray, 05/30/22
We came here with our three kids who are 2, 3, and 5. The trail was relaxing and easy, even for little toddler legs and two adults who don't work out consistently. The animals all looked healthy and well taken care of. Their habitats were very impressive. Glad we came and will go again in the future.