Isles of Shoals Discovery Cruises
Spend the day on Appledore, one of the nine beautiful Isles of Shoals off the coasts of Maine and New Hampshire, and visit the Shoals Marine Lab. Travel out to Appledore on the University of New Hampshire research vessel, the R/V Gulf Challenger, while UNH Marine Docent tour guides point out fascinating historical sites along the banks of the Piscataqua River. Investigate the intriguing intertidal creatures and zooplankton collected from the river at informal science stations on the boat.
On Appledore, explore the natural history of the island with the Docents. Look down to magnificent rock formations of eons past and up to a sky filled with birds that live on the island today. Learn about the plants that withstood the salty sea air to provide colonial settlers with remedies and today supply nutrition for the long voyages of migrating birds.
Discover the important role the Shoals played in the fishing economy of the 17th century. Find out about the amazing resort hotels on the Shoals in the 19th century and the people who flocked to the Isles for the healthy sea air. Visit the recreated garden of famous poet and essayist Celia Thaxter, who once lived on Appledore, and learn of her family's life on the Shoals.
Visit the main laboratory of the Shoals Marine Lab, the largest facility for undergraduate study of its kind in the world, and examine marine organisms via video microscope. Learn how students at the lab delve into the intensive study of the marine world and how you and your family can take a course there.
Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy while looking from the Isles to the coast or gazing at the long line of the horizon where the sea meets the sky. Taking an Isles of Shoals Discovery Cruise with the Docents is a voyage you'll never forget.
Shoals Discovery Cruises are open to members of the public on a first come, first served basis. Children 10 years of age and older are welcomed on the cruises when escorted at all times by an adult. Please be aware that cruise guests must accompany Marine Docents at all times on the Appledore tours and that the terrain of the island requires moderate hiking exertion on the part of all cruise guests. Cruises are $25 per person and leave Portsmouth from the Portsmouth Fish Pier dock at 8:30am and return at 3:00pm on scheduled cruise dates.
2008 Isles of Shoals
Discovery Cruise Dates
2008 Shoals Cruise dates will be available soon!
