sailboat cruise portsmouth nh

• How to Visit the Isles of Shoals

Last year began  a new era for Star Island and the Isles of Shoals. The regular daily summer ferry no longer runs from Portsmouth to Star Island. Visitors to the Oceanic Hotel will have their own ferry as will students at the Shoals Marine Lab on Appledore. This guide is for them and for everyone who wants to see or visit the rocky historic Isles of Shoals. Rye Harbor has become the new center of activity.

HOW TO SEE & VISIT THE SHOALS Half are in NH, half in Maine Note: SeacoastNH.com is not responsible for changes to schedules or to this information. Please check with your transportation source in advance of travel. If you have additional information on tours and travel to the Shoals, please email us. SEE: Our Shoals Maps VISIT: Isles of Shoals history section

ISLES OF SHOALS SIGHTSEEING (stay on boat, view all islands) Isles of Shoals Steamship Company Historic Isles of Shoals, Lighthouses and Portsmouth Harbor Tour departing twice daily aboard the steamship style M/V Thomas Laighton from Portsmouth. Tour features up close views and famous narration of the nine Isles of Shoals and sights of Portsmouth Harbor including three lighthouses, five forts and the Olde Port Waterfront. Beverages and snacks available. Onboard activities and portable touch tank provided by Blue Ocean Society.Special events, party ships, dinner cruises, weddings, receptions and educational fieldtrips are also offered.

Portsmouth Harbor Cruises Regular summer sightseeing tours 2.5 hours starting at noon Tues – Thurs from dock on Ceres Street in Portsmouth

Island Cruises Daily narrated tours around the Isles of Shoals aboard a real lobster boat leaving Rye Harbor

Granite State Whale Watch Wednesday evening Isles cruise with fireworks over Hampton Beach, July and August at 7pm from Rye Harbor

Island Cruises VISITNG STAR ISLAND & the Oceanic Hotel (click here)

VISTING APPLEDORE ISLAND & the Shoals Marine Lab (click here)

VISITING THE OTHER ISLANDS at the Shoals (click here) Includes Smuttynose, White, Malaga, Seavey, Cedar, Duck & Luncing.

Continue to VISIT INDIVIDUAL ISLAND

VISITING STAR ISLAND READ: Star Island Corp 2005 Press Release Privately owned by the Star Island Corporation offering summer conferences at the Oceanic Hotel for over 100 years. For conference catalog and island info visit the official web site

Beginning in 2005, after 150 years of service, there will no longer be a regular summer ferry from Portsmouth. This guide is for those wishing to go onto Star Island. For those wishing to tour the entire Isles of Shoals by sightseeing boat, click here.

Star Island Day Trips The Thomas Laighton no longer offers its daily Star Island Stopover. Here are alternative ways to get onto Star Island. If you have you own boat, scroll down.

Sail Amaryllis Offers sunset sailing cruise aboard Amaryllis, a 45 ft catamaran with dinner at the Oceanic Hotel on Star Island. Leaves Portsmouth Harbor at 4:30PM. Call 603-205-0630.

Charter trips to Star with advance call, when available. Goes out twice daily from Rye Harbor. Call for planned DAILY stop over trips to Star Island.

Northeast Charter Offers a Star Island dinner cruise starting at 5 pm from Portsmouth Harbor with trip to Star and dinner at the Oceanic Hotel.

Star Conference Now Take Captain's Lady From StarIsland.org For the 2005 season, conferees will be traveling to and from Star aboard the 149 passenger " Captain’s Lady ." The "Captain’s Lady" has been used primarily for off-shore whale watches. She is well suited for the weather and sea conditions around the Shoals and should be able to make the trip in less than an hour. Use of a vessel this size will mean reverting to the tradition of many years ago when two round trips were necessary to bring the conferences to the island. For many long-time Shoalers, this will be a taste of nostalgia but for others, this will become a "new" tradition. Captain’s Fishing Charters, owner of the "Captain’s Lady," is based in Newburyport, Massachusetts, but will operate from the dock adjacent to where the Thomas Laighton is berthed. Conferees will park in the same lot we have used for the last several years. There are a few logistical issues yet to be worked out and we will send detailed information to conference leaders well in time for planning your summer trip to the island.

The change in transportation to and from Star Island came about this fall when the Isles of Shoals Steamship Company (ISSCo.) notified us they would be unable to continue their contract with us, in part because of the complications presented by Homeland Security. Since then, we have been in contact with a number of boat companies along the New Hampshire coast and as far south as Boston. After meeting with five boat owners, we selected Captain’s Fishing Charters to provide conference transportation services for next year.

We are confident that the change will have very little impact on most conferences and will do our best to make the transition to a new ferry service as easy as possible for everyone. A long term agreement with Captain’s Fishing Charters is being discussed this winter and by the summer, we will be able to apprise you of the nature of ferry services for the next several years.

Star Island's Pamela J. Thayer workboat as well as the SML's Kingsbury workboat will be working cooperatively to transport each other's staff and to transport the Smuttynose Stewards

For Private Boats & Lunch & Dinner Guests

From StarIsland.org If you have a private boat, you are welcome to visit the island for a meal, or just to walk around. Please note than the island’s dock is very busy, and only dinghies are permitted to tie up. Meals are served family style at 12:30 and 6:30, and include beverages and dessert. There is no lunch on Saturdays. You may call ahead for reservations or inquire at the front desk upon arrival. Continue to VISIT INDIVIDUAL ISLAND

VISITING APPLEDORE

UPATE: The MARINE LAB has created this updated web page for 2005 Getting to Shoals Marine Lab Boat Schedule Owned by the Star Island Corporation and with some private homes, largely used by the Shoals Marine Lab , a cooperative summer educational program run by Cornell and the University of New Hampshire. For more info visit the official web site. See latest updates on GETTING TO APPLEDORE Shoals Marine Lab Students SML update SML is going to be transporting all participants EXCEPT Celia's Garden Tour passengers aboard SML vessels to and from the SML dock in Portsmouth.

Star Conferees & UNH Docents to Appledore SML Update SML will continue to host weekly Star Island Conference day trippers from Star (on Tuesdays now, instead of on Mondays), and we will continue to host weekly UNH/Docent Day trippers aboard the R/V CHALLENGER (usually on Saturdays and Sundays).

See Celia’s Garden This year Celia’s Tour will be run from a boat out of Seabrook, NH run by the Eastmans, More details and schedules to follow. Continue to VISIT INDIVIDUAL ISLAND

Visiting Smuttynose & Malaga There is no formal tour of Smuttynose which is a privately owned island. Visitors with their own boats are welcomed to tour responsibly following the rules posted in the harbor. (No dogs, fires, alcohol, camping, removing plants or other items). There are no restrooms or public facilities of any sort. There is a nice walking tour in season and stewards on island to offer information. Cove is for small boats only, rowboats are best, Please don’t block the cove or use Smuttynose moorings.

Visiting Cedar and Lunging Sorry, private islands. No public stopovers. These islands are best seen from sightseeing tours or private boats.

Visiting White& Seaveys Islands Sorry, no regular tours. The lighthouse is best seen from sightseeing tours. Landing is difficult for private boats and not advised. Currently the State of NH is building a docking facility in order to begin repair of the widening cracks in the 19 th century brick lighthouse.

Visiting Duck Bird sanctuary run by Audubon Society. No tours. Seals and birds can be seen at a safe distance by private boats and on sightseeing tours.

FROM STAR ISLAND CORPORATION 2005 Season Update

After interviewing many potential ferry services, Star Island has signed on with Captain’s Fishing Charters of Newburyport, Massachusetts to bring conferees to Star Island. As part of our commitment to continue Star Island’s close relationship with the Seacoast Community, the Captain’s Lady will depart from Burge Dock on Market Street in Portsmouth.

Conferees will no longer come aboard the Isles of Shoals Steamship Company’s M/V Thomas Laighton due in part because of complications presented by Homeland Security. The Star Island Corporation, which owns both Star and Appledore Islands, was founded in 1916. The Isles of Shoals Steamship Company has been ferrying our passengers and freight for about 40 of those years and we are very sorry to see the historical relationship between us end. We respect Robin Whitaker’s commitment to continuing education about the Isles of Shoals and wish her all the best.

We welcome visitors to Star Island between mid-June and mid-September aboard their own vessels. Other opportunities for visiting Star Island are aboard the Prince of Whales which operates from Newburyport, or aboard the Uncle Oscar which departs from Rye.

Day visitors can visit the island’s snack bar, book store, lobby store, or gift shop or tour the Oceanic Hotel lobby, Rutledge Marine Lab, or Vaughn Cottage. You are also welcome to join us for a hearty and satisfying meal served home-style in the Oceanic Hotel dining room. Meals are served at 12:30 and 6:30, are all you can eat, and include beverages and dessert. Please note that the island's dock is very busy, and only dinghies are permitted to tie up.

In years past Star Island’s Grand Hotel Era Oceanic House, along with the hotel on neighboring Appledore Island, was frequented by Childe Hassam, Celia Thaxter, Nathaniel

Hawthorne, Ralph Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, and other notables of the time. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s recently published diaries include a two-week visit to the Isles of Shoals and Star Island. Star Island remains a destination for writers, artists, philosophers, and musicians as well as people from all walks of life, including contemporary notables who enjoy the benefits of being just one of the "Shoalers".

One of Star Island’s most promi­nent features is the chapel, a simple stone meetinghouse built in 1800 on the highest point of land. Vaughn Cottage, another site of interest, is open from 1 to 3 p.m. and features artifacts and historic manuscripts including writings from the collection of Celia Thaxter. The Rutledge Marine Lab is open every day for hands–on learning about native marine life.

The first summer conferences were held on Star Island in 1897 under the auspices of the Isles of Shoals Association. In addition to several family conferences (Life on a Star 1 and 2 and All Star 1 and 2), Arts, and Natural History, we host the Isles of Shoals Historical and Research Association, International Affairs, the Institute on Religion in an Age of Science, Dover Yoga Studio and Gallery, New Hampshire Photographic Society, and Star Hampshire Traditional Music and Dance. Star Women and Midweek Retreat are two other early September conferences and this year, we have added a Writer’s Conference. For more detailed conference information as well as how to register, please call the office at (603) 430-6272 and we will send you our Blue Book.

As an island environment ten miles out to sea, Star Island must provide its own utilities including electricity, water, waste treatment, and garbage disposal. We are currently installing a reverse osmosis machine to allow us to convert salt water to drinking water. We handle the largest amount of compost in the State of New Hampshire. We grow our own flowers in a perennial garden and display them throughout the hotel and dining hall. Maintaining and preserving our historic buildings is at the forefront of our operation.

Star Island Corporation is a membership organization comprised of about 400 members and governed by a board of directors under the direction of Irene Bush, president. Paul Jennings is Executive Director of Star Island.

There are nine full-time staff members who work in the Portsmouth office and on Star Island and four seasonal staff members who work on island. In addition, every job on the island including docking boats and handling freight; cooking and serving food; maintaining the grounds, buildings, power plant, and waste water treatment facility; and providing all hospitality services is staffed by a Pelican, the affectionate term for the nearly 100 young people who work here and often return year after year to what Yankee Magazine once called "one of the top ten summer jobs in New England".

For more information, please contact: Deborah Lielasus Tombleson Director of Development & Community Relations Star Island Corporation

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Isle of Shoals Portsmouth Harbor Cruise

From $239 pp, your tour at a glance.

Join us as we travel to the beautiful harbor town of Portsmouth, NH. Enjoy a tour of the city, meal, and cruise around the Isle of Shoals.

About This Tour

The Harbor Cruise - Join us aboard the Victorian style M/V Thomas Laighton and experience the fascinating legends of our legendary New Hampshire & Maine Seacoast. Little known but historically crucial, the legendary Isles of Shoals, located 9 miles off our coast, are an intriguing archipelago of 9 islands steeped with history.  As we glide through Portsmouth Harbor, we will see a unique working port with tugboats, tankers, the nation’s oldest and active naval yard, the closed castle-like prison- “the Alcatraz of the East”, our quaint Olde Port waterfront, a famous Grand Resort Hotel, 5 Historic Forts and 3 Lighthouses proudly guiding mariners safely through our waters. Our own Isles of Shoals historian will guide us through these same waters for the duration of the trip.

A Great Meal at the Portsmouth Gas Light Company with a little history to boot!!

Welcome to The Grill at the Gas Light. Built in 1837, this building is the former home of the city’s first utility, the Portsmouth Gas Light Co. Over the last 170 years, it has stood the test of time-including Portsmouth’s “Great Fires.” If you look closely on the eastern wall, you can still see original brick charred by the fires. Today the restaurant is appointed with rich textures of wood, brick and copper paying homage to the Gas Light Company’s role in Portsmouth’s storied history. In fact, every week they burn more than a cord of aromatic wood in the brick oven kitchen to prepare their unique wood-fired bistro cuisine. We hope you’ll feel as at home at the Gas Light as we do.  Once your lunch is completed take some time to browse the shops and sights within walking distance of the restaurant.

*No Hassle Refunds​

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* With Insurance Purchased

Your Tour Includes

Motorcoach Transportation

Tour of Martha’s Vineyard

Dinner on the Mainland

You will learn about the history and lifestyles of the islanders as you pass through Vineyard Haven. There will be free time for lunch and shopping in the historic whaling town of Edgartown. Complete your day on the island in Oak Bluffs. You may choose to stroll through “Cottage City” with its brightly painted cottages and decorative “gingerbread” trim.

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Home → Sail with Us → Private Charters

Charters for up to 46 guests are available through the end of October. Please use the green button below to make a request and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can. Note that weekends and sunset times are first to fill, so make sure to reach out soon for those ideal times. Thanks!

Private parties for any type are welcome! Let us plan a unique event to meet your needs and interests.

The Gundalow Company offers private charters aboard the gundalow  PISCATAQUA. The typical charter sail is 2 hours long, departing from our dock in Prescott Park, Portsmouth and sailing to the mouth of the Piscataqua River past forts, lighthouses, and the Naval shipyard and prison. We can make arrangements to sail from appropriate private docks, adjust the trip length, or offer other special programming – so contact us to discuss possibilities.

The  PISCATAQUA  is the ideal vessel for company retreats, family reunions, special events, and much more. With one flat, wide, open deck with views all around, she accommodates up to 46 guests*. Gundalows have a flat bottom, which makes for a smooth sail that allows guests to enjoy their trip in comfort – expect a relaxing cruise on the river as the breeze guides us along! The below-deck cabin can easily seat up to 12 people, and the forward hatch offers a marine head (bathroom).

Guests are welcome to  bring their own food or beverages and will find plenty of room for trays and coolers. If you would like your event catered, we can provide you with a list of recommended caterers. We also have the option to start or end your trip at the riverfront restaurants!

The gundalow can accommodate  live music onboard. If you would like to book an acoustic ensemble for your cruise, we can suggest some local musicians who have played onboard in the past. Whether maritime folk, brass, jazz, or a cappella, we can find a group to fit your interests.

Please email us  or call 603-433-9505 for more information.

Weddings, Birthday & Anniversary Parties, Company Retreats, Reunions

Getting married? We’ve hosted many wedding celebrations (before, during, or after celebrations!) aboard the  Piscataqua, and we were featured in Seacoast Weddings magazine as an ideal vessel for nautical nuptials. We’ve even hosted proposal charters for 2 and surprise weddings!

Private parties for any type of celebration are welcome.  Let us plan a unique event to meet your needs and interests. Please email us  or call 603-433-9505 for more information.

Please note that we are unable to provide trips for “ Burials At Sea ” including spreading ashes due to EPA requirements for being farther off the coast, as we only sail along the river and not into the ocean.

Gundalow Company 60 Marcy Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801 (603) 433-9505 Directions | Email Us

Our Sponsors

• Learn about our sponsors

Welcome to Granite State Whale Watch and Island Cruises!

Granite State Whale Watch and Island Cruises provides Isles of Shoals Tours, Star Island Ferry Service, Star Island Walkabouts & Whale Watches from scenic Rye Harbor, NH.  Rye Harbor is the closest mainland port to the Isles of Shoals.

For more information about our whale watches also departing from Rye Harbor, visit Granite State Whale Watch !

To learn more about Star Island, visit www.starisland.org .

Resilient Lady Makes UK Debut in Portsmouth

• August 24, 2024

Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady made her UK debut on August 23, 2024, at Portsmouth International Port, marking the first time all three Virgin Voyages ships have visited the same port.

The port stated that this event strengthens the ongoing relationship between Portsmouth and Virgin Voyages, which began with the launch of Scarlet Lady in 2021 and was followed by Valiant Lady in 2022.

Shane Riley, Virgin Voyages’ vice president of UK and international sales, said: “We’re back in British waters once again, this time with a variety of short cultural stints and sunny adventure sailings to help Sailors escape the British weather. We first set sail from Portsmouth on our maiden voyage back in 2021, so we’re delighted to return this September and October.”

Andrew Williamson, head of cruise and ferry at Portsmouth International Port, added: “We are so excited to have Virgin Voyages back in their UK home. Resilient Lady dominates the city’s skyline, and we can’t wait to host her here for the next month. To have such an internationally recognized brand become a regular caller to the port is a huge boost, and today’s maiden call further establishes the brilliant relationship we have built with the whole Virgin team over the last three years.

“The warm welcome cruise ships receive from residents is what keeps these iconic brands coming back, with our unique harbor providing the perfect viewing spot for arrivals and departures. Tonight’s late departure will be no different, with Victorious festival goers being treated to a special Portsmouth message from Resilient Lady as she sails past at the end of the evening.”

The Resilient Lady’s four-night voyage to Amsterdam concludes back in Portsmouth on Tuesday, August 27. Throughout September, the ship will offer regular sailings to destinations including Amsterdam, Zeebrugge, Lisbon, Bordeaux, Ibiza and Malaga. Additionally, a special Celebration Voyage will feature guest appearances by Richard Branson and Boy George.

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Privacy Overview

• Wed Oct 2nd 2024, 9:30 am - 2:00 pm EDT (Opens in new tab)
• Thu Oct 3rd 2024, 9:30 am - 2:00 pm EDT (Opens in new tab)

Member Tour: Portsmouth Naval Shipyard

Event description.

Take a tour of the U.S. Navy’s oldest continuously operating shipyard, established in June 1800 on an island in the Piscataqua River. The port of Piscataqua had a long tradition of building warships, dating back to the late 1600s and including the U.S.S. Raleigh , one of the first ships commissioned by the American Navy in 1775. Since 1800, the shipyard has produced vessels for every major U.S. conflict, from wooden sailing ships to nuclear submarines. After visiting the shipyard, we will enjoy lunch and a private harbor cruise with the Gundalow Sailing Company.

This tour is exclusively for members of the New Hampshire Historical Society. To become a member, select the New Member ticket option, which includes a $50 charge for a one-year membership. Those who are already members should select the Member ticket option.

Note: Attendees must be able to climb a steep set of stairs while touring the naval base and be comfortable boarding and walking on a moving boat while on the harbor cruise.

Security: As the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard is still an active U.S. Navy base, visitors must show either a Real ID driver’s license or a passport to gain admittance. The final list of participants’ name must be submitted one week in advance, and no changes will be allowed after that.

Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity

Inland River & Fall Foliage Cruise

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As we leave Portsmouth and head inland we will pass all of New Hampshire’s industrial waterfront. Cruise past tankers, freighters and cable ships loading and unloading; past the remains of old shipyards where military and merchant vessels were built throughout our history. As we continue inland we head up into either Great Bay or the Cocheco River into Dover. This beautiful tidal estuary remains largely undeveloped. The Cocheco River cruise is tide dependent. Call ahead or click "Tickets" button above for schedule.

Our Inland River Cruises are the Seacoast’s most popular Fall Foliage Cruises. Come aboard this fall for a unique cruise into some of the most picturesque scenery on the Seacoast.

The Inland River & Fall Foliage Cruise is approximately 2.5 hours.

Reservations strongly suggested. Children 2 and under ride free. Schedule and prices subject to change.

Enjoy the New England Foliage With Us!