Explore Appledore Island Walking Tour
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2020 Appledore Cruises Canceled
The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has certainly made an impact on personal, professional, and recreational activities. Here at NH Sea Grant, our primary concern for all of our programming is the health and well-being of our participants, volunteers, staff, and communities. The decision to cancel cruises came after much discussion between our team and the captain of the University of New Hampshire’s research vessel, R/V Gulf Challenger, as well as the staff at the Shoals Marine Laboratory.
We appreciate your understanding and patience during this uncertain time, and we look forward to seeing you on the water next summer!
Spend the day on Appledore Island, one of the nine beautiful Isles of Shoals off the coasts of Maine and New Hampshire, and home of the Shoals Marine Laboratory.
Travel out to Appledore on the University of New Hampshire's research vessel, the R/V Gulf Challenger, with UNH Marine Docent tour guides. Investigate the intriguing intertidal creatures and zooplankton collected from the ocean 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.
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 Appledore Island Walking Tour with the Docents is a voyage you'll never forget!
Details, Prices & Times:
Open to members of the public on a first come, first served basis
Who: Adults & children 10 years of age and older (must be accompanied by an adult)
Cost: $50 for adults (ages 18+), and $40 for children (ages 10-17)
Departure Location: UNH Pier next to the U.S. Coast Guard Station at Fort Point in New Castle, NH (Address: 29 Wentworth Rd, New Castle, NH)
Timing:
8:00-8:30 a.m. Mandatory check-in and orientation at the dock
9:00 a.m. Departure
3:00 p.m. Return to the dock
Parking: Parking at the UNH Pier is limited, so please attempt to carpool if you are cruising with a family or large group. Parking is located in front of the entrance to Fort Constitution, along the left side of the access road to the U.S. Coast Guard Station.
CLICK HERE FOR DIRECTIONS TO THE PIER AND PARKING
PLEASE NOTE:
- Cruise guests must remain with Marine Docent tour guides at all times while on Appledore Island. Independent exploring is not permitted.
- All cruise guests must be able to walk several miles. Terrain of the island requires moderate hiking exertion over uneven ground. View photo gallery of island terrain and vessel accessibility.
- Dress for variable New England weather conditions! Please review the 'What To Bring' information below for more details and recommendations.
Cruising in
Disembarking
Leaving the dock
What a view!
Devil's Dancefloor
Read the Yankee Magazine article, The Mysterious Siren Call of Appledore Island
You can also visit Appledore Island with Celia Thaxter's Garden Tours. These tours are managed by the Shoals Marine Laboratory and led by our UNH Marine Docents.
Directions to UNH Pier
29 Wentworth Road, New Castle, NH 03854