Written by Alexa Brickett
Photos courtesy of NH Sea Grant
Getting out on the water and experiencing our local rivers, estuaries, and offshore islands is a quintessential summer activity for Seacoast residents and visitors. Time spent in the ‘blue environment’ around us can be relaxing or adventurous (sometimes both!), and inspire meaningful connections to our coastal and marine resources.
Previous Every Drop blog posts have highlighted some of the ways to explore New Hampshire’s waterways by boat – stories from liveaboard life to paddling tributaries. But what if you don’t own a boat? Or maybe you’d like to travel with someone else at the helm? Perhaps you’re hosting out-of-town guests and want to share a unique excursion with them?
As part of New Hampshire Sea Grant’s outreach and educational programming, we offer cruises each summer aboard the University of New Hampshire’s 50-foot research vessel, R/V Gulf Challenger. Departing from the Judd Gregg Marine Research Complex in New Castle, NH, our cruises are about a half-day in length and combine boat-based transportation with shoreline exploration.
Led by NH Sea Grant’s experienced extension specialists and UNH Marine Docent volunteers, each cruise is designed to be hands-on and informative. Our guides share their in-depth knowledge of the coast, point out landmarks, and answer questions. Passengers can actively engage and participate, or sit back and take in the views, sounds, and smells around them (think salt spray or low tide!).
We offer cruises because they help to foster a deeper understanding of and appreciation for water resources by providing a platform to experience the interconnectedness of our coastal waterways. From the shores of the Great Bay Estuary, along the Piscataqua River, across Bigelow Bight, and out to the Isles of Shoals… come cruise with us! You won’t see ‘Every Drop’ of water in New Hampshire, but you’ll see lots worthy of your attention and protection.
Great Bay EcoCruises
Great Bay EcoCruises are activity-based trips from New Castle up the Piscataqua River and into the Great Bay Estuary, with a visit to UNH’s Jackson Estuarine Laboratory. You are likely to get your hands wet as you learn about marine and estuarine ecosystems, and you’ll be invited to:
- Tow for plankton and marvel at its movement in a magnifying scope
- Capture water from below the surface and test its characteristics
- Observe, handle, and hear about plants and animals from unique habitats
- Watch an otter trawl deployment and learn about the organisms it retrieves
- Find out what scientists study about the Great Bay Estuary
Learn more about Great Bay EcoCruises here.
Appledore Island Walking Tour Cruises
Cruise out to Appledore Island, one of the nine beautiful Isles of Shoals off the coasts of Maine and New Hampshire, and home to the Shoals Marine Laboratory. En route to Appledore, investigate the intriguing intertidal creatures and zooplankton collected from the ocean at informal science stations on the boat. Once on the island, you’ll be guided on a trek to:
- Explore Appledore’s fascinating natural history
- Look down to magnificent geology and rock formations of eons past
- Walk carefully near the island’s boisterous seabird colony
- Discover the important role the Shoals played in the fishing economy of the 17th century and the resort hotel era of the 19th century
- Visit the recreated garden of famous poet and essayist Celia Thaxter, who once lived on Appledore
- Weather-permitting, circumnavigate other islands in the archipelago while spotting for seals and marine life
Learn more about Appledore Cruises here.
Celia Thaxter’s Garden Tours
You can also visit Appledore Island on a cruise designed to focus specifically on Celia Thaxter’s Island Garden and the rich cultural history of Appledore. These Garden Tours are managed by the Shoals Marine Laboratory and led by our UNH Marine Docents.
Other On-the-Water Experiences with Every Drop Partners
And don’t miss the great opportunities and experiences that other Every Drop partners offer:
Our waters on the Seacoast are amazing, and boat-owner or not, you have so many ways to get out there and enjoy them!
This blog post was provided by NH Sea Grant, a proud partner of the Every Drop Alliance.
#EveryDropMatters
