The Best HARBOR CRUISES IN Portsmouth, NH


No trip to Portsmouth would be complete without a cruise around historic Portsmouth Harbor. This picturesque waterway offers stunning views, abundant marine life, and historic landmarks that are best experienced from the deck of a ship. 


With plenty of ships to choose from, finding the right tour for you can be challenging. To help make your trip sail smoother, we’ve come up with our top five picks for the best harbor cruises in Portsmouth.

Isles of Shoals Steamship Company



  • Address: 315 Market St, Portsmouth, NH
  • Hours: Open daily from 9 AM- 5 PM 
  • Distance from us: 0.8 miles 


The Isles of Shoals is a small chain of islands 6 miles off Portsmouth’s coast. With buildings that date back to the colonial era, the islands have become a window into the past.


The Isles of Shoals Steamship Company offers a variety of tours that range from exploring the islands to stunning sunset cruises.


Gundalow Company


  • Address: 60 Marcy St, Portsmouth, NH
  • Hours: Open daily 10 AM-4 PM 
  • Distance from us: 1.0 miles 


The Gundalow Company offers you the chance to see the harbor from the deck of a traditional reproduction of a flat-bottomed gundalow. With no noisy engines, you’ll be able to take in the natural sights, sounds, and smells of the harbor. 


If you’re looking for a more hands-on experience, you’ll be able to help the crew sail the ship and learn more about the maritime heritage of Portsmouth.


Portsmouth Harbor Cruises


  • Address: 64 Ceres St, Portsmouth, NH
  • Hours: Monday-Friday 11 AM-3 PM, Saturday-Sunday 9 AM-3 PM 
  • Distance from us: 0.8 miles 


Portsmouth Harbor Cruise has four different kinds of cruises you can explore, including an Isles of Shoals visit, a cruise around the harbor, and sunset lighthouse cruises.


Portsmouth Harbor Cruises stands out through its Fall Foliage Cruises. These charters head northwest up the Piscataqua River into the stunning landscape of New England during the fall.


Finestkind Cruises


  • Address: 70 Perkins Cove Rd, Ogunquit, ME
  • Hours: Open daily 10 AM-5:30 PM
  • Distance from us: 17.0 miles 


If you don’t mind driving a little ways out of town, Finestkind Cruises has a few unique offerings on the Maine shoreline that Portsmouth doesn’t offer.


You can go for a sail in the morning to watch seals wake up and swim about. You can view the simple yet elegant Nubble Lighthouse, or you can become a true Mainer and go on a lobstering trip!


Al Gauron Whale Watching and Specialty Cruises


  • Address: 1 Ocean Blvd, Hampton, NH
  • Hours: 6 AM-6 PM 
  • Distance from us: 15.7 miles 


If you’re looking for a true seafaring experience, a cruise with Al Gauron is the perfect fit for you. Their fleet includes larger vessels that are rated for voyages out into the open water away from the harbor.


A cruise with Al Gauron offers you the chance to see Humpback Whales and other amazing marine animals. They’ll also take you on deep sea fishing trips that last between 2-12 hours or even overnight depending on the experience you book.  


Spend a Vacation at Martin Hill Inn

After an exhilarating day at sea, take some time to relax and regain your land legs at the Martin Hill Inn. Nestled into the heart of downtown, make us your home base for your retreat to Portsmouth, NH. From our main rooms to our guest house, our open and spacious rooms have all the amenities you’d expect from a luxury hotel while creating a comfortable, homey atmosphere that will feel familiar as soon as you step inside. 


Take a look at our rooms today and book the one that’s perfect for you. We’ll see you soon!

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