Loon Cruise

Cruise Schedule

Loon Cruises are finished for the 2020 season.

Cruise Description

Observe Common Loons with a Loon Preservation Committee (LPC) biologist and Science Center naturalist as they share the latest news about loon conservation, biology, and monitoring.

Learn about the work LPC does across the state and on Squam to protect these unique migratory birds, the only loon that breeds as far south as New Hampshire. The cruise route maximizes the likelihood of loon observations and changes weekly.

Cruise Rates

Cruise Pass Fees (2020)	Member Rate	Non-Member Rate
Adult	$23.00	$27.00
Senior	$21.00	$25.00
Youth (Ages 0-15)	$19.00	$23.00
Not recommended for children under 3

Combination Passes (trail and cruise) are not available for the 2020 season.

Become a Member Today

Cruises are 90 minutes long and on canopied pontoon boats. All visitors will be asked health screening questions at check-in. Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your cruise departure time. All visitors must adhere to social distancing guidelines and are required to wear face masks. Thank you for your cooperation, which will help keep the Science Center open for everyone to enjoy. 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.

Cancellations:

Cruises may be cancelled if there are fewer than two 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.

Discover Squam

Bald Eagle Adventure

Loon Cruise

Cruise with a Naturalist

Lake Explorers Family Cruise

Dinner and Sunset Cruise

Private Charters

Group Tours

Nichole Houlne, 06/05/19
Great place for the kids to learn about their own habitat (New Hampshire!) The staff is incredibly nice and full of information. The animals are loved and I was shocked by how many they have.
Eben Gannett, 03/26/19
This is by far one the best not so hidden gems of Central New Hampshire! While it functions similarly to a zoo the goal of the facility is to rehabilitate and care for local animals found in the white mountains fo NH. The animals who stay are there for medical or other legitimate reasons to keep them from living in the wild and are given wonderful care. The staff that works there is knowledgable and kind, eager to answer any questions about the animals you may have. The path to see all the animals is fun and equivalent to many easy day hikes with spots to picnic, and a wonderful play/learning area for the young and young at heart. It is a place my family loves to visit time and time again, never getting board of the wonderful animals, new things to learn, and great day that always ensues.
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!!
Barbee & Hayden, 09/03/18
Great enclosures for the animals with water features and lots of shade! And for taking pictures, no cage lines in my pictures because they use thick glass for viewing. Animals looked very healthy especially the lion she was fat :) Loved the walking trails too. It was just lots of fun and we will be back when its not so hot!
Ashley Bailey Guelfi, 06/04/19
This place is beautiful. Wonderful place to bring your kids to learn about NH wildlife. The trail is stroller friendly and not too long. All the animal habitats are well kept and lots of facts and information about the animals along the trail. There is also a playground for the kids to play on and picnic tables to eat at. They dont offer food here but easy to pack a lunch. We will definitely be back!