Cruise with a Naturalist

Cruise Description

Uncover the rich natural history of Squam Lake with an experienced naturalist.

Observe Common Loons and Bald Eagles, along with other wildlife while touring Squam Lake's mountain ranges, islands, and quiet corners, during this unforgettable lake experience.

Cruise Rates

Cruise Pass Fees (2018)	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 include one trail pass and one lake cruise pass for the same day.

Combo Pass Fee - save $6 (2018)
Adult	$41.00
Senior	$36.00
Youth (Ages 3-15)	$32.00

Become a Member Today

All Squam Lake Cruises are 90 minutes in length and on canopied pontoon boats. Binoculars are available for wildlife viewing at no additional cost. Cruises depart on Route 113 across from the Science Center parking lots. Passengers may park in designated lots and walk to Lake Cruise Headquarters using the pathway.

Advance reservations are strongly recommended.

Each boat has a maximum passenger capacity set by NH Marine Patrol. Space on all cruises is limited. Seats are guaranteed only for those making advance reservations and payment. Other space is available on a first come, first serve basis. Reserve online or call 603-968-7194 x 7 for tickets.

Cancellations: Ours and Yours

Cruises may be cancelled if there are fewer than two passengers reserved. Cruises may be cancelled at any time due to weather, unsafe conditions, or other exigent circumstances to ensure the safety of passengers, tour guides, and boats. If a cruise is cancelled, passengers will be contacted as soon as possible to reschedule or given a full refund. Passengers who need to cancel for any reason should call 603-968-7194 x 7. Those passengers who cancel at least 90 minutes prior to the start of the cruise by contacting the Science Center will be refunded in full. Those passengers who cancel within 90 minutes of the start of the cruise will not receive a refund.

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.
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!
Sandra Lungariello, 06/10/18
My Husband and I stopped here on the way home from visiting Mt. Washington, and we were pleasantly surprised! It was very clean and well maintained, and there were a lot of healthy active animals. We did the live animal exhibit trail...I’m pregnant and wanted something nice and easy. We took our time and it took about 2 hours (if you have kids, there’s so much to do with them, like a playground and picnic area). There were many benches, most of it was in the shade, no big hills, and it was very stroller friendly and handicap accessible. It was so educational, and lots of care and thought went into all of the exhibits, great for kids and adults! Can’t wait to take the baby back here in a few years!
Cherie Binns, 12/19/18
I just love this place! It is slightly off the beaten path but easy to locate. Plan on spending a couple of hours here to learn about the local wildlife habits , habitat, and food. And , best of all, meet that local wild life in its natural setting.! This business is part of the membership chain of regional zoos and science museums so honors your membership to others around the country for free admission or reduced cost admission to here. I would plan on at least 2-3 hours here although it could be covered (without small children in a bit over an hour). Walk ways are generally paved and handicapped accessible as are the buildings that are dedicated to species or habitat education.
Howard Nash, 10/08/18
Very well presented exhibit on the wildlife of New Hampshire. Coming from the UK, we had some concerns about the moral question of keeping wild animals in cages. This was set against the very obvious great condition of the animals on display and the effort taken to educate on the natural world - a video or even holograph would not have the same impact. The reason we give it only 4 stars is that not enough effort is made to explain why the animals, particularly the large animals, are kept in relatively small enclosures. Looking at the negative reviews that focus on the moral question, your responses are very encouraging. Perhaps you should cut out the middleman and make more effort at the Centre to explain why the animals are maintained in captivity from a conservation perspective.