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 (2021)	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 2021 season.

Become a Member Today

Cruises are 90 minutes long and on canopied pontoon boats. Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your cruise departure time. All visitors must adhere to physical 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

Viewing wildlife through binoculars on a Squam Lake Cruise

Private Charters

Group Tours

View from Squam Channel entering Squam Lake

Emily Morgan, 09/15/20
Since discovering this place a few years ago I have been in love. I make it a mission to visit at least once a year. Last year I even had my daughters birthday here! Most recent visit was Saturday when me and my husband were celebrating our wedding anniversary. I highly recommend this place. Animals are amazing and well taken care of. The path ways are also well tended to.
Jacquelyn Domaingue, 08/11/19
Lots of wildlife to see and many exhibits for children of all ages to interact with. A great (and fun) "learning" center. There was a fantastic Dinosaur exhibit while we were there, and I hope you get to see it. We had a wonderful day's outing here!
Eben Gannett, 03/27/19
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 of NH. The animals who stay are there for medical or other legitimate reasons that 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.
hi Take, 10/10/20
Great nature trail for kids. You can see approximately 10 animals in the trail for about 1 hour. A lot of educational resources in the exhibit. Additionally, there’s friendly crew.
Byron Styles, 09/03/19
A had a great time as did my 4 year old son. The dinosaur exhibit was awesome and I really emitted the walkthrough set up in a somewhat very natural setting. I'm normally not a big fan of caged wild animals but the broad variety of local wildlife they do have on exhibit were all injured in some way, shape, or form and wouldn't have survived had they not been rescued and prob wouldn't have survived had they been released back into the wild... So that was actual a small sigh of relief.