Loon Cruise

Cruise Schedule

Friday July 10 and 17 at 3:00 p.m.

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 we will be requiring visitors to wear face masks. Please remember that when you are responsible you 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

Lynne Kraskouskas, 09/18/18
Great educational facility. Fun and educational for all ages. Very much enjoyed the sub-canopy boardwalk peppered with stations featuring different animals and ecosystems of the surrounding area. There are educational presentations with live animals as well as an otter exhibit. A few times a week, the otters are fed a "fishsicle" and it is amusing to watch them try and get their snacks. Didn't visit gift shop or go for a cruise. That's the great thing about this place, one can come back again and again and have a different experience. Locals or regular visitors to the region can purchase a membership and come and go. There is a nice picnic area and food during the summer season. It was not busy the day we visited, but I could see it being a lot busier. Educational, interesting AND shady.
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!!
Katherine Raiche, 06/04/19
Great place, love all the exhibits and the animals, the staff is great as well. Always a fun time. Going on a weekday closer to late afternoon helps avoid most of the chaos of field trips.
John Cook, 10/19/19
Each and every time we visit the center it never ceases to amaze us. At certain locations there is a need for personal interaction with staff providing more information and answering questions. Static exhibits are boring and uninteresting. The animated prehistoric reptiles were stimulating. An impromptu meeting with staffer handling an injured raptor and the information she provided while standing in the rain was exceptional. Please watch your prices!
C. Heather Moody, 10/22/19
Great place to take the family for a day trip. Lots to see, beautiful area with some unique animals & very friendly staff. Good volunteer opportunities several times per year including hiking, fall clean up & more. Also have camps (day, some overnight, week long or longer) during school vacation, etc. Nice place.