Dinner and Sunset Cruise

Cruise Description

Start your evening with a delicious fixed price dinner* at Walter's Basin Restaurant, followed by a sunset cruise on Squam Lake. This guided tour showcases Squam's beauty as dusk falls. The guide discusses the natural history, wildlife, and people of Squam Lake.

Dinner and Sunset Cruise is $55.00 per person; not recommended for children

The Dinner and Sunset Cruise is 90 minutes in length and departs from the docks at Walter's Basin Restaurant on Route 3 in downtown Holderness. Squam Lake Cruises are on canopied pontoon boats. Binoculars are available for wildlife viewing at no additional cost.

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 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 we do not have a minimum of two passengers. The Science Center may also decide to cancel a cruise at any time due to weather, unsafe conditions, or other circumstances at our discretion. We will use our best judgement to ensure the safety of our passengers, Tour Captains, and boats. If we cancel a cruise we will contact passengers to reschedule on another date or to issue a full refund. If passengers need to cancel for any reason, please call the Science Center at 603-968-7194 x 7 to reschedule or request a full refund. If passengers cancel at least 90 minutes prior to the start of the cruise and contact the Science Center, payments will be refunded in full. If passengers cancel within 90 minutes of the start of the cruise, payments will not be refunded.

Sample Dinner Menu:

Appetizer for two, choice of:

Mussels - sauteed onions, garlic, shallot and leeks, simmered in a white wine and butter sauce
Crab Cakes - pan fried crab cakes with chipotle aioli
Shrimp Cocktail

Entree, choice of:

Garlic Teriyaki Glazed Steak Tips - grilled steak tips with a garlic teriyaki glaze, served with mashed potato and vegetable
Pan-Fried Trout - pan-fried Rainbow Trout, with blueberry butter, served with orzo and vegetable
Chicken Francaise - egg battered chicken served with a white wine, lemon, and butter sauce served over linguine
Wild Mushroom and Walnut Ravioli Sautee - wild mushroom raviolis sauteed with garlic, mushrooms, and walnuts, topped with shaved parmesan cheese

Dessert: Seasonal Chef's choice

*Tax and gratuity included. Alcoholic beverages not included. Chef reserves the right to change the menu at any time.

Discover Squam

Bald Eagle Adventure

Loon Cruise

Cruise with a Naturalist

Lake Explorers Family Cruise

Dinner and Sunset Cruise

Private Charters

Group Tours

Jason Plant, 12/21/18
Squam Lakes Natural Science Center is a wonderful place for kids and adults alike. The animals are amazing and they are all rehabilitated from either injuries or abandonment at a young age. The atmosphere of this place is great and I highly recommend going and becoming a member to support all of their community efforts and animals!
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!
Shaun Wyndman, 08/18/18
This is a very pricey cross between a zoo and a nature trail. The science center features several exhibits relating to the animals in the area. It also has exhibits relating to conservation etc. They offer animal shows, demonstrating live animals several times a day, and feedings three days a week, so check the schedule to see if your favorite is on display. In addition to the move animal exhibits the center features several walking trails offering an opportunity to see local wildlife and plant life. Most tree species are marked for easy identification of the local foliage. There is also a ninety minute boat tour of squam lake available for an additional fee.
Cailin Nelson, 08/03/18
Very nice place, clean and informative. Different from other places - lots for kids to learn hands on. I was a little apprehensive due to the cost and not many animals but felt like it was worth every penny. I would recommend packing a lunch and taking advantage of the trails - make a full day out of it.
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!