Isles of Shoals Reviews

On a crystal-clear August Monday, the boat was packed: extra chairs brought out to accommodate crowd. This made for an uncomfortable hour long ride to the Star Island. Once there, it was a delightful setting: an optional tour of the island by an excellent guide, rocking chairs on the porch of the grand old hotel, watching sailboats enter and leave the harbor, ice cream cones (with long lines).

By boarding the boat for the return trip, we were able to secure seats in the back section of the middle deck: terrific views and far-less crowded, making for a very pleasant back to Portsmouth.
There is a full bar, beer, snacks, pizza, etc. on board.

lucky for us we have our own boat to travel to the Isle of Shoals. we love the scenery, the birds, the boats everything. The Thomas Leighton will take those of you without your own transportation A beatiful trip

We took the four hour "Star Island Walking Tour" trip. We enjoyed the time on the boat and the commentary although the commentary was often difficult to hear when outside on a deck. We had to move near a speaker to understand there but could hear fine inside. The one hour walking tour on Star Island was enjoyable and interesting but we discovered that we would have enjoyed more time there. I would therefore recommend the longer trip if you can fit it in your schedule.

Our conference group took this cruise and it was quite enjoyable. But, the buffet offered no local seafood - just barbequed chicken, pulled pork & hot dogs - hardly what I'd consider to be representative of the area food.

We took the Isle of Shoals all day trip and loved it! The fog the boat had to make it through was a little "scarey" in the early morning, but it burned off by lunchtime. We took a picnic lunch with us, and explored the island and its buildings. It was gull nesting season, but the island guide who gave a one hour introduction tour told you where to not go, etc. It was a wonderful way to spend a day.

We took the boat to the Isle of Shoals - didn't get to go on the Islands themselves but got close enough to see a good deal of the islands. I could understand more why there was an artists' colony there, where painters like Childe Hassam painted - very rugged but very beautiful. The narrator was knowledgeable. Worth the trip.

Enjoyed a beautiful 2 hours on the island. Next time I am going for a full day. We enjoyed sitting in rocking chairs on the porch of the hotel. The butterfly bushes were full of beautiful butterflies. We enjoyed the science aquatic center picking up starfish crabs and scallops. Loved walking around the island enjoyed the beautiful stone buildings and beautiful scenery. Can't wait to come back again!

Great boat ride from Portsmouth to the Isle of Shoals, nice walking paths on island, beautiful views, tour guide is available to share the history of the settlement

This is a great activity to do with your family when visiting the sea coast NH area. Tales of love, hauntings and historical drama engage the mind and imagination while your senses feasts on the sights and sounds of the area.

A fun excursion and picnic to this island, ten miles out and another time and world. Run by a church trust, this is idyllic for reading, sitting and looking out to sea from the hotel porch.

We took the half day trip including a walking tour of Star Island. Had a perfect amount of time on the island - not sure what we would have done on the longer trip. The walking tour was very informative as was the narration on the boat.

The boat ride was enjoyable with detailed narration along the way. There is even a murder mystery story about the islands.

Went out to Star Island. On the way out many of the othe isles visible, especially appledore and smuttynose.
Had a nice walk around the island seeing many birds, a garter snake and items of interest. As late in year grill and gift shop were closed.

A great place to visit providing a great sense of colonial seaside life. Beautiful collection of small islands.great views going to and returning from
A terrific way to get a complete sense of Portsmouth harbor and the surrounding seaside area

Wow, if you can get out here you'll think you stepped back in time 150 years. Wonderful!! Best hot dog on the ocean!!

I enjoyed sailing our boat over here and touring the hotel and grounds. People were very helpful and allowed us to take one of the guest mooring. The hotel is very historic and basic but really spacious and nice. We would love to stay here one summer. The grounds are interesting and there are some geo caches in the area also. The views are great.
Very interesting, a step back in time. LOVED IT

Truly magical setting 7 miles from Portsmouth Harbor. Islands are loaded with history and unrivaled beauty. A must see for the soul!

We enjoyed a pleasant boat tour on the Thomas Leighton, a three-hour afternoon cruise from the Portsmouth downtown waterfront to the Isles of Shoals and back.

The informative tour described the different islands that make up the Isles of Shoals, and gave interesting history about the families, sailors, and pirates who left their mark on these tiny islands.

Do not expect to see marine animals on this tour, although the pelicans and seagulls posed nicely for photos. The most interesting wildlife for me was learning about the gangly Double-crested Cormorant, which is a prehistoric-looking, matte-black fishing bird. These solid, heavy-boned birds are experts at diving to catch small fish, and disappear under the water sometimes for 10 seconds or more before emerging for air.

$56 for two people was money well spent for this quick jaunt through the waterways dividing New Hampshire and Maine.

Even though I'm a local, I like to take this trip every few years with relatives. The historian was very knowledgable, but we really had trouble hearing him. Sometimes we could hear him directly, but if we tried to hear him through the speakers, it was muffled.

very nice location small island with tremendous ocean views and views of the mainland. Boat trip was easy, self tour was relaxing. It was spring and seaguls were nesting, cant get too close to them.

Truly a magical experience from the minute we boarded the boat until we got back, The island is full of history , nature, good people, food, creativity and growth.. A true escape from the chaos of the mainland.

Take the tour out to the Isles of Shoals, it is very interesting and on a nice day it is beautiful. Take your sunscreen if it is a sunny day, as you will want to be out doors the whole time.

I spent the summer of 2001 working out on Star Island and I just wanted to share with everyone what an incredible place it is. Though it is rustic, it has a charm all it's own. Going just once is never enough. Let's put it this way, the saying "Star Island is my spirit's home" exists for a reason.

Going out to the Isle of Shoals is a nice boat ride and overall experience, even if you choose not to go onto Star Island.

Nice trip out to the Isle of Shoals, great view of the harbor and the foliage. Would like to go for a lobster bake next summer!

Just my observation, I would not take children out to the Shoals. This is a pleasurable afternoon, with good weather for couples. There is nothing to do when one goes to the Isle of Shoals other than enjoy the ride and walk around the island. I enjoyed the trip as did my wife, but we are 62 and enjoy simple activities.

My husband wanted to celebrate Father's Day and end of school year for our daughter with a trip to the isles of shoals. So we did. We left the dock at 1230 and returned for 430. The day was beautiful!! The boat ride was really nice, staff was friendly. We took the guided tour which was nice for some history but we only had about an hour and half to walk around. So after the tour didn't leave much time. Gift shop had many cool things if you want to purchase a souvenir. My second trip out there will be a longer one so you can really explore and take in the natural beauty. We brought snacks and water, which is really all you needed but we had a slice of pizza and beer on the way back. If the weather agrees, it's the best cruise to go on!!

If you get get the boat out it is an amazing place

Star Island is only a short boat ride away from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and provides a perfect way to immerse yourself in the history of the area. The island and the other island in the group is beautiful, and seems anchored in the 18-19th century. The tour is very informative and during the summer you can get lunch on island. A lovely way to spend part of the day.

This was my second time at the Isles of Shoal. The islands are beautiful and the hotel at Star Island is the perfect setting for a family holiday. We did a trip where you were able to get off the boat at Star Island and walk around, which I highly advise.

It was an interesting boat ride out of Portsmouth. Great to do on a warm sunny day.

Took my niece and nephew on the boat ride to the Isle of Shoales and the first part through Portsmouth harbor was great with a superior narrative. Saw a couple of boomers at the Portsmouth Navy Yard. The Isles of Shoales were nothing great but the trip was interesting - would have been better off taking the harbor cruise. Note parking at pier side can be chaotic- be patient but it may take a half hour to exit.

Star Island is a wonderful place to sail by (or stop and visit) when around Portsmouth or Rye. You rarely get the historical flavor in a place the way you can here! Even if you don't get off the boat, the tour on the Laighton is a sheer delight and has a good narrator of the very interesting local history (shipyard, Navy prison, lighthouses, etc.)

Beautiful scenery on these remote little islands. A commercial boat will take you from either Portsmouth or Rye Harbour. It's fun to hear the amazing history of the place -especially the famous murder mystery that took place in the 1800s. The hotel on Star Island is lovely and worth looking into. It's owned by the Unitarian Church who sponsors week-long seminars on a wide variety of subjects.

We booked our tour through Uncle Oscar Island Cruises. We live closer to Rye than to Portsmouth and the cost was almost 1/2 what the Portsmouth company charged. It was a beautiful day and a beautiful island. The Captain of the small ferry (20 passenger max) was very informative both on the ship and the island. I would highly recommend visiting Star Island and use Uncle Oscar if that's closer to you. My daughter and I created some wonderful memories on the Island. We brought a picnic lunch with us but you can eat at the hotel on the island if you choose.

We visited the Islands with a stop at Star Island using Uncle Oscar's Island Cruises of Rye, NH. in their Isles & Star Island Tour. The cost was $21 for adults (a dollar off for seniors); $18 for children 6-11 and $9 for children 2-5. The trip took three hours with about 1.25 hours on Star Island. The boar is a lobster boat and holds only around 20 people. There is not enough room inside the cabin if it rains for everyone.

We've lived in this area most of our lives but never been out to the Isle of Shoals. Now that we have gone, it won't be our last time. Stepping onto Star Island was like stepping back into town. The large rambling white hotel perched on a hill with its wrap around porch commands the harbor entrance. The old stone buildings scattered around the hotel are interesting and inviting. We did not have time to explore all of the paths but the ones we did provided gorgeous views of the other islands. The island is dotted with wild roses.

It is a lovely, peaceful place to bring walking shoes, a blanket and an inviting book.

On a clear day, this is a great place to sail out to, walk the island and see the history !

We took the 4-hour walking tour on a beautiful sunny summer day. Interesting to learn the local history while enjoying the views of Portsmouth and the Islands. Loved being out on the water and then having time to leisurely walk around the island. Took the walking guided tour which was nice, but also got to explore on our own.

Fun to visit, but don't know if I'd go back. There isn't a lot to do. Walking around the island is pretty though.

This cluster of islands can only be reached by boat. You can land on Star Island with a hotel & conference center, a chapel, several houses, tennis courts, hiking, seminars on a variety of subjects. There is a monument to John Smith who mapped the area in 1614.

Grab one of the tours for the Shoals from downtown Portsmouth and enjoy a special walk that will make you feel like a step back in time. I am always amazed that any buildings still stand after so many years of 'Noreasters and other pounding storms. You will find quaint stone buildings and and especially sweet dirt floor little church where I think they allow weddings. There's a huge old hotel that shouts of a different era. Sit a bit on one of the creaky rockers on the porch and gaze out to sea. Take the kids and miss the poison ivy!

What a fabulous 1/2 day trip! It's been on my bucket list for 3 years now, and finally made it! The Isle of Shoals Steamship company is an easy and affordable, and very comfortable. We took the trip over to Star Island, then got off for the guided tour....the guide was very personable and informative, but we wandered off to explore...lots of little trails...

Be SURE to bring your camera! We were lucky enough to have a beautiful sunny day and could see all of the islands.

Great trip! Perfect for families and anyone wanting an historical tour!

Took the day trip out of Portsmouth which is 5 hours on the island. Beautiful day for it. Walked the full perimeter and found some truly beautiful spots. Take the free walking tour for the history. Pack a lunch and bring water as the food at the dock is pricey. Bring your camera and comfortable shoes.

We took a great cruise here...there's a lot of history. Desolate, wind-swept.... good retreat center here.

My wife and I thought we had done our homework when preparing for our long vacation trip to New England. But we quickly learned that we overlooked a lot of must-see attractions. One of the foremost is the Isles of Shoals, a group of small islands and tidal ledges situated about six miles off the east coast of the United States, straddling the border of New Hampshire and Maine. Board a tour boat at the dock on the Piscataqua River in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, cruise through the picturesque harbor, past five historic fortifications, lighthouses, the Navy Yard and a host of beautiful colonial houses on your way to Star Island, the only island served by a commercial boat from the mainland. It is a religious and educational conference center owned by the Star Island Corporation, which is affiliated with the Unitarian Universalist Association and the United Church of Christ. Visit the Oceanic Hotel, the Gosport House and the 150-year-old chapel. Star Island also is a popular destination for sailboats wishing to tie up overnight in Gosport Harbor. At 46 acres, it is the second largest island in the group. Don't forget your camera. The ocean views are spectacular. English explorer Captain John Smith sighted and named these islands in 1614. A lot of history is associated with the islands. For example, 25-acre Smuttynose Island, the third largest island, is allegedly the site of the pirate Blackbeard's honeymoon, the wreck of the Spanish ship Sagunto in 1813 and the site of the notorious 1873 murders of two young women. Uninhabited today, Smuttynose is home to the Samuel Haley House, once believed to be the oldest structure in Maine.

This was our second visit to the islands. Each time we go we do not want to leave. Wish we could spend more time there.

The Isles have a fascinating history, especially Appledore and Smuttynose, and are a great sight to see from the Rye coast. We usually take the ferry from Portsmouth to visit Star Island, which is the only one of the islands you can get to by commercial boat. Its conference center is a beautiful building, and it's really something to see its windows sparkling red in the setting sun from Rye Beach.

Love the Isles of Shoals and staying at the Oceanic! It's so peaceful, many artists, writers and crafters come. The food which is served family style is always fresh and amazing. You need to catch a boat to get there, but once there you won't want to take the boat back to shore...ever!

The boat ride was great. Beautiful trip. You only get to stay on the island for about an hour so it is a quick run around the hotel and other buildings. We didn't take the island tour, but did our own walkabout. Nice trip.

The last of New England's real history. Worth the trip, but tread lightly please, this is a fragile environment.

We had a wonderful warm day for our tour. You will learn alot about history. The lift bridge in port was interesting to see.

The Star Island walking tour aboard the Challenger is a nice trip. The Captain narrates going out and returning and he also provides a free, short walking tour once you're there. You have nice sites, historical scenes, and interesting general information. Bathrooms and food on board. Bench seating. Close to the highway exit and plenty of parking, though cars for each boat party are parked bumper to bumper so when you return you may have to wait for others to move before you can leave. Reserve online, or by phone, prior and get ticket once you arrive. Confirmations come via e-mail. Rain or Shine, but not during unsafe conditions. refunds and rebookings cheerfully given. You get about 40 minutes, after the walking tour, to explore on your own.

Went here on a nice sunny summer day. Very nice cruise. I really enjoyed walking around the island and visiting the garden. I wished I could spend the night here. Maybe another time

Great boat trip and walkabout on the Island with the Captain. My husband and I recommend this highly to anyone. Fabulous views. Interesting having dinner with the conference attendees who were at Star Island - the waitstaff was kind and helpful.

I traveled by boat with a group to Star Island and loved every minute of the ride, the guided tour, the meandering trails, the seagulls and the lodging.

Theres plenty to do in NH .I love lighthouses so I did the cruise from Rye Harbor with Lighthouse Historian etc.Jeremy D'Entremont narrating.

I haven’t been to the isle of shoals since I was a child. We took the 3.5 hour ferry out of Portsmouth. It left Portsmouth at 4pm. We purchased our tickets on line that day. The ferry looked pretty full. It was a beautiful day.
The captain provided some unenthusiastic commentary, interesting information but it sounded like he had said it a thousand times before. There was a snack bar on the ferry.
we had about an hour and 15 minutes on the island. We wished we had taken the longer cruise which included a tour because we had very little information on the island, the hotel ( available for conferences only), the history, etc.
BEAUTIFUL tiny island, nice way to spend a day. We will definitely do it again!

Took the boat trip out. Decided to go with the round trip instead of the day visit. Day visit is a total of 6 hours, with not a lot to do on the island once you're there. (You need to make lunch reservations at the Oceanic) Great trip around the islands and back through the harbor. Pending tide levels the boat/island off deck is not handicap accessible. Witnessed a family not able to get off because everyone leaving the boat had to off load from the top deck.

We took friends on the Isles cruise some time back, as wehad never been ourselves, despite being locals. It was a great trip, wonderful views and interesting information about the history of the area too.

Always great to get out on the water. A 10 mile well narrated informative boat trip gets you to the isle. Great old inn, but not much else. I don't think I'd want to be stuck out there for a week. But a historic place, so look at it like that.

Took the boat out of Portsmouth to explore the islands and hear of their history. We docked at Star Island and were able to walk around to see the many buildings. There is a hotel with a dining area for guests. Many come for conferences and retreats.The views, birds and flowers are beautiful. This is well worth a visit for the whole family.

There are a couple boat tours which take you out here, or hitch a ride with a local if you know one. Great place to visit during the summer and fall. Excellent views of White Island lighthouse. You feel like you are in a different geographical location while only 5 miles offshore.

We took the Isle of Shoals cruise and were not let down. The views were magnificent.I loved the history and we even saw some whales off shore

This is an interesting island and so beautiful. The Conference Center holds wonderful conferences in the summer. And we went out for a day trip. You can hike around the island which is relatively small with lovely views. Bring a picnic and enjoy!

The three hour trip to the Isles of Shoals was fantastic. Not only do you get a boatride down the river but also 6 miles to the isles. The trip was also narrated so you got to know a little history of the area.

On a very hot day, it was a relief to be out on the water. Our tour guide's commentary was intelligent and informative.
Once on the island, we walked around this isolated little haven.
A very special place to get away from it all.

Took a cruise out to the Isles of Shoals, it was a very fun day trip. There is an option to stay over-night if wanted. Very scenic and calming. One warning: bring your own food. The food they cook is absolutely terrible. If needed, you can find some granola bars in the gift shop.

We just love to ride the boats around the harbor. The tour guide are really great. IT is so much fun to learn all the Portsmouth history.

I've been once to the main island with the hotel. It was a great stroll, the hotel itself is grand for being so isolated. But, the next year I tried to book about 4 month out, for the summer, and a couple of weeks later they responded. They said that no reservations could be accepted because they had conventions to book, but would let me know when there was availability. Never heard from them again. So... I went elsewhere. Other reviews indicate a similar awkwardness, or frankly lack of professionalism, regarding this issue. Too bad, for it's a pretty neat spot to be staying in, it appears.

This tour is awesome. Mother in law was visiting from overseas and she cannot walk well anymore, challenge was to us to find some sights we could enjoy...
We chose the steamship out of Portsmouth and were not disappointed! Bar and food on board, the proverbial 3 hour tour was fantastic. Family atmosphere, GREAT guide talking about the history (being a history buff, I found he was more knowledgeable than most National Park guides. One to keep in mind for future visitors that have limited mobility like our 4 year old and grandma. Hats off to ALL the staff!

Do the full day trip to Star Island and take the walk with the docents - lots of history and you'll wonder where all the time went. Informative, beautiful, a great way to spend a summer day!

What a nice mini cruise to the Isle of Shoals. The ship was a good size and our trip was narrated as we went. Very informative about what we were passing by in the harbor as well as the islands. Star Island part of the Shoals has a history of its own. I am sure if it was open to the public they would be busy. The trip took 2 + hours and was well worth it. A must do for all.

We had such a great time taking the ferry out to Star Island, hearing about the history and then walking around the island. It's a lovely way to spend an afternoon.

Star Island is a place worth visiting. Everything about this is old school New England. The history of these islands is fascinating, and it is one of the most peaceful places you could spend a day, or even a few if you take in a conference at the Unitarian facility.

The whole experience was lots of fun. It was interesting to learn about all of the landmarks the boat passed. I would recommend sitting in the front of the boat as it is easier to see and follow the tour.

We brought a large church group (over a dozen) out on the day trip ferry. Weather was excellent for the crossing both ways. Enjoyed rambling around the island particularly the marine lab just above the harbor. Nice there is now a "canteen" available for lunch even if you aren't staying there.
And of course the porch rockers are worth the entire trip.

I have lived in NH for 30 yrs and never took this tour until last week. Lovely little boat ride out to Star Island where you can take a walking tour and then explore yourself. The views on the boat and the island are fabulous!! You see forts and lighthouses as you travel to the island. The Captain narrates and provides short history lessons. Quite interesting! The island only has one hotel with public bathrooms, thankfully! There is a restaurant but check ahead because we went during the week and no seating was available. We always pack a lunch and snack when we do trips so we were all set but the website isn't clear about the services available and some people had nothing. There was a small snack bar so you won't starve but there were several disappointed folks. Back to the view. We went on a walking tour with another history lesson provided. It was great, took about an hour and then we took off by ourselves. Lots of opportunities to climb rocks and see along the rocky shores. Someone saw a seal but I did not. Lots of seagulls of course!! Just a beautiful, relaxing day! Not good for handicap or strollers although I saw both on the boat ride, I am not sure what they did on the island other than a small flat path along the front of the hotel, there are not many opportunities for exploring unless you can move around independently. I will definitively go back again!!

We went on Sunday to the Isles of Shoals Walking Tour, which lasted approx. 4 hrs.
It was a cloudy day which was all the better. It was very comfortable walking around.
The boat we took, The Thomas Laighton, was very, very nice. You could buy snack and drinks and the restrooms were very clean. We had a very smooth ride over, no sea sickness.
Our Tour Guide, Ray, was so informative, so much so that we got more infor than I ever imagined. Kudos to you Ray!
The Isles of Shoals was wonderful. The buildings and the history was amazing. I have to say that for us the 4 hrs on the Isles of Shoals would have been to long, unless you were planning to eat at their hotel.
We had approx. 1 1/4 hrs to explore and that was long enough. The Isle is small. Although, 2 hrs would have been better. Just have to make another trip.
We got an added bonus on our sail over. The Spanish Gallion was docked for the weekend, picture enclosed.
I would absolutely do this trip if in the area, if was great!!!!!

What a fabulous 4 hr trip!! Way better than I thought it would be and the history is just mind boggling...If you ever have the chance to go YOU SHOULD!!!!

Either on a private boat or a charter boat, the Shoals are a short ride from Portsmouth and a nice short day trip. There's not a lot to do when you get there but it is still worth it. If you can, make arrangements before hand to see Celia Thaxters garden on Appledore, that is wonderful. Aplledore Island is privately owned so you have to plan ahead to visit the Garden. Star island is open to visitors.

I have made numerous trips out to the Isles of Shoals, and have become more and more enamored by them each time. FRom the trip in boat out there, to the amazing history, and the feeling of being in the middle of ocean, I cannot say enough for this place. I would recommend doing a bit of research before going, just so you are acquainted with the historical significance . I would go today, b ut it is winter and they are not open to the public.

Both times I have anchored here once back in nineteen ninety nine and just this past June have both been two of my favorite nights ever anchored. Only 7 miles from the entrance to the Piscataqua River

Took the Thomas Leighton boat out of Portsmouth, NH for a short walkabout on Star Island of the Isles of Shoals. Day was beautiful and the ride out through Portsmouth harbor was gorgeous. Arriving on Star Island we did the guided island walkabout learning more about the interesting goings on of the island. The cruise back to Portsmouth was very relaxing and the city offers a multitude od good dining options. All in all, time well spent!

The Isles of Shoals are a wonderful and beautiful place.Steeped in history and seacoast lore (even a murder out there), it is not an easy place to get to. In fact, you need to book a ferry out to Star Island -- the one island that you can visit. The ferry takes you out, drops you off and picks you up, three to four hours later. If you are into photography, want to have a picnic on the rocks or just want to sit on the hotel's veranda, then by all means go. If you are looking for something exciting to do, this may not be the place. In fact, kids may be bored after a while.Think about it because its pricey to get there. But, if you do go, it is a wonderful, peaceful place and there's nothibng like on a beautiful, sunny day..

This was a very relaxing 2.5 hours ride!! Great views because we had a clear and sunny day!! I got great pictures of the different lighthouses, small islands, navel shipyard with a submarine and an old fort. There was some kind of sailboat event with about a dozen sailboats from the US and Canada going on. Very colorful sails made for nice pictures!! The captain gave us a good history lesson!! You can bring food aboard but they also have a couple of snack bars that provide alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and snacks. Definitely worth the money!!!!!!!!

Took morning self-guided trip. Very comfortable ship and Star Island allowed us to have a nice hike on a beautiful day.

I have been on this cruise about 3 times. Whenever a friend visits me, we go on this cruise. The history of the Isles of Shoals is amazing. The tour guides are amazing. Walking around on the island and getting some of the history is wonderful. I will surely do this cruise again. Every trip is a new experience.

This island has the history of great fishing pirates murder and great artists. Try the pump organ at the church and the ice cream parlor.

I would recommend this tour to all -young, not so young, honeymooning and not so much,

Vistas were all so pretty, music was just as nice (live) and bartenders were eager to please,

It was a bargain at what ever we paid!

We enjoyed this trip. the only pity is that we decided to have the roundtrip and not the visit Star Island due to constraint in times. Anyway it was a good trip with enough explanation about the area. May be too expensive for what you get but good time in the area. When you arrive in start island and you see the place and you realize that you won't land......you'll understand your error. So, if you can, have a trip on the island

Fun and historically interesting, had lunch with the Captain, was as very nice experience. Nice tour of the facilities and a nice lunch.

A national gem on the NH Seacoast...great to sail past, or get on island for a picnic!

In order to see a beautiful location sometimes you need to make a longer journey. The Isles of Shoals requires a commitment of at least half a day for the journey and the enjoyment of the location. Not matter what the temperature is on the mainland the Isles of Shoals are always ten degrees cooler not to mention the cool ocean breezes on the trip. You must bring a camera when you visit because the scenery is fantastic. Ocean shots, the shoreline and then the New Hampshire Coast are photos you will not get elsewhere. We had a blast and recommend the trip to everyone. It is well worth the time.

We took a boat ride over and spent several hours exploring and snacking on our picnic. It is beautiful and serene and a feel of simpler times past.

Starting June 2009, the Isles of Shoals Steamship company now offers walking tours or longer stopovers on Star Island, one of the islands. I just got back from a trip this weekend. It's about an hour to get to the island. Once there, you feel like you're stepping back in time. You are greeted by the large Oceanic hotel, now a retreat center (anyone can stay) and can also visit the meetinghouse built in 1800. It's a lovely way to spend a day and I would definitely recommend it! I hope they are able to continue offering these trips.

I sailed there from Boston! 10 hours; so it was an overnight. Superbe traverse. The island is nice, the water around it is plagued with Lobster traps. But the sceneries are gorgeous. There is an old hotel with a souvenir shop.. Fun to hike around for 10-20 minutes and take pictures. The place is quiet and relaxing. An early morning coffee on the patio of the hotel is very relaxing. Can't wait to sail back there.

We took the Thomas Leighton Day Cruise to and from this little island. It was a great day trip, and I'd do it again!

The Isles of Shoals is a great day trip. Take one of the harbor cruises to the Shoals and either spend sometime on the island or take a gander as it as you pass by. It's beautiful out on the water and the boat ride is quick and painless. On a clear summer day there's no better place to be.

We took a boat tour of the Isles going out of Portsmouth, but didn't stop at any of the islands -- it was just a harbor cruise that went around the isles -- but it was beautiful and informative. I love looking at these Isles from Rye, especially during sunset when the glass on some of the buildings reflect the sun's rays and glow orange. There's a lot of history (Celia Thaxter, infamous murders) and you never get tired of seeing the isles from the mainland. I recommend spending a day on Star Island, as I plan to do this summer.

The Isles of Shoals are shrouded in mystery, having been the site of the infamous Appledore murders. These islands live a few miles off the Maine and NH Coast and are both natural and creepy, desolate and beautiful. It's hard to describe the feeling of the Isles of Shoals. The Historic Hotel (Star Island Resort) is way cool and the granite shelves that make up the islands are fantastic. Simply worth a visit no matter what. Not a lot to do out there, but if you haven't been, it is totally worth the minimal effort.

Loved our trip! Would do it again. Even though it was a less than great weather day we decided to go. The trip out was mostly uneventful. The narrator was great! When there was something to say, he said it. When there wasn't, he kept quite! He didn't feel it was his job to entertain us, the scenery and the history was enough! Right before we got to Star Island, the weather turned ugly and the waves got rough, and one of the members of our group of four did not feel well. Unfortunately, there were very few seats below deck, which is my only negative about the trip, more chairs could have been brought down, there was room. However, the captain realized that people were not enjoying this part of the trip, and rather than taking a leisurely trip back, we went at a healthy pace! Which everyone appreciated! Worth the price, worth the trip, recommend it highly!

We are local and didn't think this cruise would be very interesting, but we bought tickets on Groupon at a great rate so decided to try it. We were pleasantly surprised. We opted for the non-stopping cruise, and we got in line early to get on the top deck. Got some great photos. Wish there had been more information about some of the history and islands; I don't know if there are different people or the same one who serve as "tour guides" so it might change for each cruise. We hope to go back to do the sunset cruise and photographic cruise that drops you off for awhile on Star Island. The woman on the phone was great when I called to get information. She gave me the best days and times to do the cruise to avoid the crowds.

Discover history and tall tales by your cruise to the shoals. Let your imagine run wild with skulll sails.,pirates,gold and greed. A learning center for marine biology and ocean studies. to university lab-enjoy and explore.ARGH-where' the rum???

We took the Heritage boat to the islands. Drew the capt.. did a narration of all the points of interest on the way out and back. Ask him questions and he's happy to let you know about other things that have happened and seen in his many years as capt.

As an avid reader, the huge hotel porch with its row of rocking chairs called to me as I stepped off the boat. A little walk around the island presents you with sweet charms such as the beautiful chapel. Guided tours offer fascinating history of teh area and great ghost stories to boot!! Swimming off the dock and renting a rowboat were the highlights for my teens. We love day trips to the island, but if you go with expectations of more than a peacefully blissful walk, swim or row, you will be a bit disappointed. Bring a book and claim your chair!!

If you like beauty, and history, this is for you. You must go by boat, you can stay at the hotel but, you must stay 3 days before you may shower!

This is a must do! The captain of the boat explains a lot of history behind the Isles of Shoals as well as the surrounding areas. This cruise takes about 2.5 hours and worth every penny! Make sure to bring along sunblock and a light jacket. Even though the sun is out, the breeze gets a little chilly.

Our trip to the Isle of Shoals was very enjoyable. We had a beautiful day, the boat trip was lovely, and our guide gave us interesting historic information about the Isles. The entire trip takes about 3 hours. The boat is equipped with restrooms, a bar, and some light food like hot dogs, soft pretzels, and The like.

We went on the Boat for the 1 st time and Enjoyed Our time . Beautiful views of Portsmouth Harbor . We took our Daughter and Son in law (from Florida) and they had the best time enjoying the ride. The Caption was very nice to us once he met us and our Florida Family and gave us free tickets for another Cruise during the 2016 season. We consider this Cruise of the Isles of a must for most to experience !

Very informative, great sailing. Bring your own food. Bring warmer clothes since it's cool on the water. Take this on a sunny day!

Great way to spend a quiet, relaxing day with family. Bring a picnic or buy something there. Lots of history and trails to explore. Wonderful place for the family to explore.

If you enjoy boat tours and amazing scenery, then you must take one of the boat tours out to the islands.The trip is narrated with much to learn about the islands history and the sights are incredible to say the least. Several islands are included on the tour along with lighthouses, some beautiful homes and the now defunct Navy prison. If your lucky you may see some whales!

There are several tours to choose from where you can tour the island or stay on the boat and just cruise around the islands. Star Island is the only island you can tour (or actually stay on) but there are not a lot of activities. If you need a sabbatical, this is the place! Star island is actually a conference center and there is a simple hotel.

Honestly the beauty is so captivating, you just have to see!

We boarded the vessel and were on our way to Star Island in the Isle of Shoals. It is about an hours boat ride from the dock on the Piscataqua river in Portsmouth to the Isle of Shoals. You cruise past five forts, the Navy Yard and many beautiful homes on your way out of the river to the ocean and your destination. Once you get to Star Island it's like stepping back in time. The Grand Hotel there is amazing and the views are terrific. The walking trails are easy to navigate. You can go early and spend the day or take a later cruise and stay for only a couple of hours.

This is a great trip. 3 hours out on the water, through the river to the ocean, around the islands, dropping some on Star Island for a few hours, and then returning to harbor. Good commentary and plenty to see.

It helped that the day was perfect for being on the water, flat calm seas and plenty of sunshine. The narration of points of interest was good without being annoying, they talked for about half an hour on the way out and about the same on the way back. Star Island, with the Oceanic hotel, it quite charming and it is worth taking the walking tour in order to understand what you are seeing. The boat was very crowded on the way out, as they combine those taking the half day and whole day tours and we stood the whole way. This was fine with us, but some might object to not being able to sit. The way back was less crowded and it was easy to find a seat. A great way to see the area from a different perspective.

July 1, 2017 was my 4th trip on the Isles of Shoals Thomas Laighton vessel out to the islands. I have taken the trip 3 times as a visitor and now I live here and can go any time!! There is so much information that is shared about Portsmouth, the Harbor, the area, and of course the islands that make up the Isles of Shoals. Great trip for any age. If you get chilly easy, bring a light jacket. Enjoy!!

This is an amazing three hour boat ride all around Portsmouth to the Isle Of Shoals. We have gone many times. We go when they have a country band on. We usually know the bands and have a great time. You can purchase small things such as Pizza or pretzels. They serve beer and wine to buy. Down below the band sets up. A must do.

We booked the stop-over tour to the Isle of Shoals and spent a lovely day on Star Island. Bring your camera to shoot the beautiful vistas with lighthouses, rocky coasts, and quaint stone cottages. Word to the wise: we also brought books to read for downtime on the veranda and rain gear because it started off as a rainy morning which was worse on the boat. You can't really swim there, so forget about beach stuff. It's a walk around island experience. Also, stay away from the veggie wrap in the snack bar. Worst vegetarian experience of out entire trip! The ice cream looked good, though and was really popular with visitors and conference attendees.

The isles are beautiful to approach and wander around Star Island. It was a perfect day. We rode out on the Uncle Oscar which was a nice leisurely ride - took the 9:15 and left on the 1:20 - good amount of time. Not much to do there, a short walk and you've seen it all, small aquarium, book and gift shop. The rocking chairs on the porch of the hotel were a perfect viewpoint. We brought our lunch and ate it on the chairs. Beware - The snack bar was closed from 11-1:30. The mandatory fire drill took up a lot of our visit time.

I took a trip to Star Island with the Isle of Shoals Steamship Company. I did the trip that allowed about an hour to walk around the island. The island is very easily walkable and the hotel has a snack bar, gift shop, and restrooms. The boat ride out and back also included narration about the isles. Very enjoyable!

Went to Appledore island for an overnight adventure. No Roads on the island. Everything is on foot on uneven trails Don't consider if at all handicapped. It was nesting season for the Gulls and they were quite aggressive when you were anywhere near them or their nests. Island is beautiful, Quiet (Except for the gulls) and peaceful with great sun rises and sunsets. Don't pass up the Opportunity to go here.

Wait for my trip here every year with such anticipation. Wonderful fun. Great people. Downtime. Serenity. Learning. Great food.

A short ferry ride on a wonderful antique steamship brings you back in time to a string of islands in sight of shore, but far enough away to feel remote. A fun day trip, or overnight trip fun for anyone.

We enjoyed a boat tour around the Isle of Shoals. Interesting history of the people who lived here, fishing industry etc. Beautiful rock formations, light houses. Interesting birds.

We took the Thomas Laighton out to the island and stayed there for 3-4 hours just roaming the island, took a picnic lunch and browsed through some of the buildings - interesting history.

This is our favorite summertime jaunt. You leave your troubles behind as you enter an incredibly beautiful world. Please don't tell anyone about this place, or else everyone will want to go there.

I love trips on the water and especially anything to do with boating. I loved this trip to the Isles of Shoals. The trip over was very nice and well narrated by the crew. The island was interesting will all sets of historical features and an interesting monumnet.

The Thomas Laighton Ferry to the Isle of Shoals is New Hampshires best tourist attraction. As a senior, 67yo., I am always looking for a bargain. 4 hour trip, 3 hours on the river before entering the open blue of the Atlantic. Upon arrival we were offered a one hour guided tour of Star Island. Our onboard guide told a story about every lighthouse, the US Navy yard n all the coastal history & mystery. Every question, on land n sea was answered. After we returned from our island walk, we sat on 2nd deck dining room and ate our lunch, which we brought with us. All this for $32. Parking was $5 a car in a secure lot. The 3 of us, went directly from the boat to Market Square to finish our day with shopping. A good day.

My first visit here was on the July 4th Fireworks Cruise. It was a lot of fun. I was especially pleased to see several people who were already drunk turned away due to that fact. Which in my book means not only was the staff concerned about their safety but the safety of others as well. A few friends in my group advised me to go to the Isles of Shoals cruise, which I plan to do in the near future. Even though this was a "booze cruise" I was extremely impressed and had a lot of fun. According to my friends this is a MUST DO on your NH Seacoast Visit Bucket List.

Come for a day trip, or stay for a week, the Shoals are a magical destination. The shoals have a long history of pirate ships, indian forts, and 400 years of fishing lore...not to be missed!

Isle of Shoals was on our list of must does. For years we sailed our of Portsmouth Harbor to the Isles but never stepped on land. Cruise was pleasant and informative. Guides provided history of the Isle of Shoals. Very pleased with the tour of the Isle of Shores and the staff of the cruise line we used.

Took a ferry ride to Isle of Shoals. The captain did a good job narrating the tour however the downside was the boat was very small with only two long benches, one of each side and they were uncomfortable and even more uncomfortable because the trip is 2 1/2 hrs long. There was not much room to walk around or stretch or legs unless you go inside the boat where it is hot. The views were excellent.

Took a boat trip with Portsmouth Cruises to the Isles of Shoals. Lovely trip and interesting historically.

catch a ferry out of Portsmouth to travel out to the isles. great history goes along with the old hotel on the island.

Strongly recommend boating out from Rye Harbor! Such a beautiful ride across the water, and an even better destination. Guided or wandering, your walk around the island will give you a taste of this historic paradise you'll never want to leave. Stop by the hotel for an ice cream before you depart!

We took the boat out of Rye Harbor on the fishing boat Uncle Oscar.. Nice boat ride out and the Captain was very knowledgeable. We had the option to dine with the guests that were staying on the island for a small fee. I recommend taking the trip from Rye Harbor because you are able to get off the boat to explore the island and it's history.

Charming ferry boat tour - but mostly, you are not allowed on the islands. If you are spending some time in beautiful Portsmouth, NH, I would recommend taking the short boat trip on a warm day...

Plan on spending the entire day and bring snacks to munch on. You can get food there if you don't like bringing your own. This is great fun for all ages and the hotter outside the better. Well worth the visit.

Isles of Shoals is loaded with local history. This is a great day trip for young and old alike. Make sure you visit on a sunny day and have a good camera with you. Once on the island you will be able to walk around and stretch your legs.

This was a lovely trip. The weather was good. The narration excellent, though a little hard to hear at the bow on the lower deck. The island tour was very interesting. Lots of history out out on these islands. Worth hearing about.
Crew was pleasant and the boat clean and neat.

The day was way too hot for this but we had already booked our tickets ahead of time. With that said they did a great job! The boat was comfy and clean (with a bar!!) and a person gave a great history of the area and what we were passing as we headed out to sea. The same person led a guided tour on Star Island that was informative and fun. Overall a great trip that I would recommend!

It has been a number of years since I last visited the Isles of Shoals. I thought it would be an excellent introduction for my grandson to learn more about the area and so we decided to purchase tickets in advance to celebrate his 7th birthday. The day dawned overcast and rainy. Not an ideal day to take a cruise but since we had bought the tickets, we went. We thought if it was unsafe, the captain would have cancelled the cruise. On the way out, it was a pleasant ride in the harbor but once we entered the ocean area, it became quite choppy. Unfortunately, I was up front on the second deck and didn't realize how choppy it would become. When I did, I didn't feel I could make it safely back to the cabin so I rode out the rest of the ride in the mist and waves. I suppose that was my fault but a cautionary word from the captain would have been helpful. It was announced that the trip back wouldn't be as choppy. In any event, the historical information provided by the narrator was extremely interesting. I also enjoyed the guided walking tour of Star Island. Unfortunately, the trip back was rather unsettling to say the least. With absolutely no warning, the tables and chairs on the second deck went flying. I fell backwards off my seat and hit my head. I wasn't the only one to fall on our level. This greatly upset my grandson who felt his birthday was ruined. Thankfully, a young man taking the cruise noticed my grandson's unease and approached him and kept him company for the remainder of the trip. He succeeded in calming my grandson down. Unfortunately, due to the severe weather and the rolling of the ship, the rest of the birthday was cancelled and we did not celebrate as we would have liked. I don't understand why we did not receive any warning about the condition of the ocean. I think, on a calm day, this would be a great trip.

A small cluster of tiny islands (most notably 7, technically 11) , 6 mi. off the NH/ME coast,rich in heritage ( think seafarers, hearty fisherman, PIRATES ( Blackbeard is said to have stashed loot here..) accessible by private boat, or a day trip on the local tour boat Thomas Leighton.

We went to the Isle of Shoals on the Thomas Leighton, a people ferry, no cars no roads on the Isles. The day we went was the perfect day for us to go. The weather was warm and a bit breezy and the sea was calm. A narrator, David did a great travelogue as we went through Portsmouth Harbor and eventually to the islands. I'm not a history buff but am amazed at the long history of Portsmouth and the Isles. After about a 1.5 hour ride we arrived at Star Island which has a long history of habitation. We did the walking tour (very gentle) and David related the history of this important but small island. Very picturesque.
The boat had a good snack/bar lounge and seating. The boat was surprisingly large and easy to get around in. Great opportunity for kids. I could see how much they were enjoying the trip. I highly recommend going. I learned a lot that I never had an inkling of.

We didn't really know a lot about the history of the Portsmouth area and learned a lot on this trip. The narration is excellent! The guided tour on the island is worth it as well, and leaves you just enough time to explore before heading back to the boat. The boat isn't the fastest, so there is a bit of time on the water, and unfortunately not a lot of marine life (but this isn't labeled as a whale watching tour), but we had a good time.

We appreciated the shaded deck on the way back, and had lots of room to relax.

This was a quaint little boat with an interesting history. I went with my husband and we loved the views and ocean air. I also liked that you are welcome to bring your own food and drinks aboard for this three-hour excursion. Lots of fun!

I have taken the sailing trip out to the Isles of Shoals many times. There are 2 options to choose from. One is a 3 hour sailing trip and you don't get off the boat. The captain of your boat will circle around the Isles and tell you its' history. Another tour is longer (6 hours?) and you can get off the boat at Star Island (the main island at the Isle of Shoals) and walk around. It is a very small island but I think it is interesting. There is an old hotel there and houses a small cafeteria but with very limited food choices. If you have never gone out to Star Island I would suggest that you do the one where you get off. Bring a lunch and sit out at the picnic tables that give you a great view of the ocean.

My husband and I traveled out to Star Island for the day in August. It was so hot!! But we really enjoyed wandering around the island checking out all the sights. Our boat trip out was nice and the boat crew shared information about the surrounding islands. The hotel on the island was like stepping back in time, but beautiful. Totally worth checking out!

It's so scenic, so beachy, so rustic, so historic, so informative... Take the UNH boat over and listen to the docents explain about their work with marine biology... View the remnants of Celia Thaxter's garden and then go home and read her writings.... Take a friend and a bottle of water and sit on the rocks and talk.... You won't regret it.

Beautiful sunsets,quiet harbor (most days). History on the islands. Visit Star Island,Appeldore and Smuttynose. If you aren't a boater consider the Thomas Laighton ship out of Portsmouth for a afternoon ride.

Cruised from Portsmouth Isles of Shoals Steamship Co. To Star Island for day trip. Left Portsmouth at 9:25am and the ship picked us up again at 3:15 for return trip. We took the tour which was about 45-60 minutes and was very informative. Lots of history to the island and we hope to go back again soon. There is a grill at the end of the pier and a snack bar inside the hotel. Lots of rocking chairs on the hotel porch for sitting and viewing the awesome scenery.

We had an amazing time! The ONLY complaint is we didn't have longer to stay! It was perfect weather. Anyone we came into contact with was friendly and pleasant. A couple different paths you can take. There are picnic tables that you can enjoy a lunch at. There are games that you can play i.e. Cornhole, volleyball, hula hoops. You can check out some of the buildings. We had a great time in he island. We will DEFINITELY be back!!!

The Star Island 1/2 day trip is worth the effort. The boat trip to and from the island is long and boring, the tour director goes on an on loudly, repeating the same BORING-BORING narrative both ways.

Star Island is lovely so go and bring your ear plugs

Even though I grew up close to here, it is a must see every time I go back to New England . Evenings get chilly so remember even in summer to pack a light jacket or sweatshirt.

Took the boat trip around the harbor and got off at the Isles of Shoals. The island is used for retreats, but anyone can book an overnight stay if there is space available. Interesting grounds.

This iconic island stay was fabulous. Accommodations are not modern or deluxe, but the atmosphere is timeless and the island is magical. Don't miss your chance if you ever are invited to an event there, or even to walk around on a day tour.

Time and time again, visiting Isle of Shoals is one of our favorite New Hampshire destinations. it is the full experience from visiting the shore, taking a great boat ride and getting immersed in island life unlike most have ever experienced. Locals know a lot about Isle of Shoals, but it took me a while to sort it out from afar. Here are my notes.

If you have a boat and live near, getting out to the Isle of Shoals isn't that big of a deal. Those of us from "away" that don't live near and didn't bring your boat have limited options to get out to the Isles of Shoals. There is no public ferry system, so you must choose a commercial operator. The two main ones are on the Star Island website and are the Isle of Shoals Steamship Company and Island Cruises on the Uncle Oscar.

Know your itinerary. If you want to walk around on Star Island, be sure your operator is taking you for a walking tour or drop off on the island. Otherwise you could just go by in the boat and never go ashore. The first time we went out, we bought into this package and didn't realize we weren't going to get to go ashore.

Stay longer. If at all possible, stay the full day and even better stay the night. It can take an hour to get there and an hour to get back, so a three-hour tour gives you just over an hour to take in the sights which is simply not enough. The second time we went, we did a lunch tour and it could have lasted a few more hours to just soak up the environment. Our next trip will definitely be a weekend stay.

Eat at the hotel. Call ahead and reserve a spot at the table for the family style meal served by the hotel on Star Island. Some tours include this meal. This means you don't need to bring a lot of food stuff with you and you can support island tourism by spending a few bucks at the hotel.

Take a class. Many classes include transportation and overnight stays. This is a great way to experience the island and learn something. If possible, get a class that includes a ride over to Appledore which is the larger of the islands and is usually limited to researchers.

Want an even longer stay? Consider helping out Sue Reynolds and the Lighthouse Kids - lighthousekids.com. Sue is the proprietor of the "Uncle Oscar" which is the most recent operator we've ridden with out to the islands. Several days to weeks are available for volunteers willing to do work on the state owned White Island Lighthouse Station to have a truly unique experience. This is near Star Island, but I do not know if transport between the two islands is available.

Did you know? The popular New Hampshire brewery Smuttynose gets its name from these islands as well as the names of several of its popular brews.

This was my 2nd time visiting Star Island via the M.V. Thomas Laighton and at least my 5th time on the boat itself.
I can honestly say that no two trips are the same and that has more to do with your fellow passengers than the ship, crew or island.
Here are some common sense tips to help everyone enjoy their outing.
Control your children, you may be skilled at blocking them out but the rest of us are not.
Though there is a spot on the fantail where one can have a cigarette, PLEASE wait till your back on land.
When the boat is really full, people don’t have the option of moving away from you and will have to endure your habit with you.
There are those of you that do not normally have an “indoor voice” or maybe someone in your party has this affliction.
Keeping ones conversation within one’s own group enables everyone to have a good time.
I have seen parents carry heavily burdened strollers that would make a camel faint and take up a whole corner of an already cramped cabin with their stuff and though it is clearly their right to do so I have to wonder why? The children will be unlikely to remember the experience at that age so do yourself and everyone else a favor, get a babysitter and make the outing about yourselves.
One last tip, whether on the boat or the island, please don’t ruin peoples photo ops. I see people standing in front of monuments and picturesque sites conversing and paying no mind to anyone else. Please move out of the way for the shutter bugs, no matter how attractive you may be, you’re probably not welcome in our scrapbooks, thanks.
The Island is a wonderfully quite, reflective and picturesque place to scramble across rocks, snap photos, have a picnic, marvel at the sites of a by-gone era and generally be too boring to entertain small children, but that’s just my opinion from having shared too many trips amongst unhappy kids and stressed parents.

The two plus hour ride was very nice. Clean boat, bar service with snacks. But the best part was Dave! He was the man who told you how to park in their lot, and then came aboard to narrate almost the entire cruise. Be sure to find a spot where you can hear him clearly. What he had to say was all so interesting! Great job, Dave!

Most of my family members have taken numerous trips out to the Isles of Shoales, and usually stay for the extended day tour on Star Island. On August 13th, a group of my family members took the trip out to Star Island, in order to donate a new rocking chair for the hotel porch, in memory of my mother. The voyage along the Isles of Shoales, and the visit on Star Island, was one of my mother's favorite trips.

The history, scenery, and atmosphere, are engaging for all ages. The staff at Star Island, are friendly, warm, and welcoming. I can't say enough for how compassionate they were, and how much I appreciate their organizing the dedication of the memorial chair for my mother.

My family has hopes of returning to the island together, as a yearly trip. The island hosts Marine biology research students, many Artists' conferences, and other group gatherings. Families have an opportunity to spend quality time together, exploring trails, seeing historical monuments, & buildings, and taking in the surrounding beauty of the area. There are views of lighthouses, boats, wildlife, ocean waves,and other islands. Tours are both guided and individual. Picnic lunches are highly recommended, as there is only a small "snack bar" within the hotel. I would highly recommend this trip to people/families of all ages..."something for everyone!"

i go with my hard working ,He brings me here with his brwnd new boat and the ride and scenery is breathtaking.Then we ride all around here its wonderful, And the service here is phenomenal

I had never seen the Isles of Shoals before except from the beach on very clear days. My husband and I took a helicopter ride over them through Seacoast Helicopters out of Portsmouth, NH (see my review under their company). This was by far the best way to see them!

The Isle of Shoals consists of 9 islands 9 miles off the coast of Portsmouth, NH. We took a narrated boat tour and we learned a lot of history about the islands which have existed for a few hundred years. Some of the islands are inhabited by families during parts of the year primarily for fishing. It takes about 2 hours to reach the islands by boat; many sights to see on the way out. A very pleasant and enjoyable trip.
When you reach the Isle of Shoals, you can view the coastlines of New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts.

Took a cruise the the Isles - a fun 2.5 hours with lots of interesting history of the isles. Would like to return and actually take a cruise that drops you off on the islands. Lots of fun on a sunny day - don't forget your sunscreen! The Isles are part of the history of Portsmouth that gives you a more complete picture.

Taking the 45 minute ferry ride off the coast to Star Island, and living a week in an historic, funky wooden hotel suited me fine. Wonderful, long-table meals, walks along the rocky ocean water, even simply sitting in a long line of rocking chairs. I felt Simple. And happy. Not many places like this.

Don't expect a lot, it's really about time with family and enjoying whatever small treats the day has to offer.

This is a trip that everyone whether you live locally or are on vacation you should take in.The awesome boat ride from Portsmouth to the Isles is interesting with great commentary from the tour director on the boat to the amazing scenerary on the way out to the Shoals.The Isles themselves are totally a great take and if possible take the tour that lets you off on Star Island for a great and informative tour about all the Shoals.This is a must for all!

The boat ride out is beautiful and the island has so much history! So many seals at the Isles of Shoals!

Have been going here for family conferences since a kid. Went for first time as a "day-tripper." Nice hour ride out on Ferry, and spent time on Star Island playing frisbee, walking around island, eating lunch from (ridiculously expensive) outdoor snack bar. Recommend you check out the snack bar INSIDE the hotel, which has great drinks, ice cream, and hot dogs that are $6 cheaper than on the lawn (Lobster roll on lawn is not bad deal).

The boat trip out of Portsmouth to the Islaes is a must! The guide gives very informative historical background about the significant points of interest as the boat slowly departs from the harbor. The arrival on the main island offers a most enjoyable and relaxing atmosphere for reflection and plenty of stories to hear about concerning the former visitors/inhabitants from the Revolutionary Period, including stories re: the notorious pirate Black beard

UNIQUE - AUTHENTIC - CHARMING are a few adjectives for Star Island. Make sure U bring some food and drinks and spend at least half a day. Every time I go, I see something for the first time. I try to go at least once every summer. Don't miss your opportunity.

With out of town guests we went on a quick trip to Star Island from Portsmouth. It is fairly small, easy to walk around and feels like going back in time. Beautiful sunny day made all the different. Without much in our backpack we were able to purchase some bagels and cream cheese at the local snack shop.

I have taken the trip out to the Isles of Shoals many times. The boat is a bit old, but it's quite historic and safe.

The islands are beautiful, and you'll thoroughly enjoy Star Island. Make sure you take the trip that lets you spend the day out there. There is so much history on the island, and it will impress and interest even those who typically don't get excited by history.

The cost of the tickets has gone up over the years, but that is not due to the company itself. The coast of fuel, and now surcharges that the government has imposed for 9/11 security has increased the cost. In my opinion, it is well worth it even if you only do the trip once in your life.

We enjoyed taking the harbour boat afternoon trip which sailed round the Isles and provided a commentary about their history etc. Very interesting.

We took our three kids 6, 13 & 14 on the Isles of Shoals cruise and it was a great investment. After walking around at several other area attractions, this was a welcome relief for the kids and us!
The boat was pretty clean and they had food and beverages for sale during the cruise. The narration was informative as well. My only complaints were that they started almost a 1/2 hr late, tough when you've been standing out in 90 degree sun with no shelter........and they don't get close enough to the Isles to really see them. It's at a great distance.

We went on boat to the isles of Shols and went on island to visit.
Beautiful traisl around the island, old with character. I wish they had a real cafe to sit and enjoy. Loved it!

This is our second time. Two different tours you can take. Self guided or with a guide. Check out the boat schedule and reserve in advance if possible because it fills up. There is a lot to see with a lot of history. The boat ride was lovely with the captain narrating on the way.
There is an old hotel with a long porch. I sat there and relaxed because I was unable to walk the unlevel walk ways around the small island. The other two went off with the map and enjoyed the buildings, cemetery, and other sites. Difficult for wheel chairs or limited for strollers.
Somethimes there is food for sale at the hotel or unter a tent near the boat dock. You can bring a picnic. Guests can stay at the hotel if there is room. Groups stay there for conferences and classes. Check out the pictures, I hope this helps

Staff on the ship were awesome! The view was beautiful.

Great for a day trip. Even better for an overnight or a week. Beautiful, peaceful, and 10 degrees cooler than the mainland.

The Isle of Shoals Steamboat brings you out to this steppe back in time. Gaze from rugged trails and live Celia Thaxter's poetry as you savor island simple life. The chapel is Heaven on Earth.

We took off a Friday to spent a brilliantly beautiful day on Star Island. Everything was picture-perfect, from the hour-long ferry ride on calm seas both ways, to the isolated beauty of the Shoals with blue skies and clouds you just can't make up.

We had gone out once about 30 years ago and only did the hour-long visit. This time we opted for the half-day stay, so we had plenty of time to leisurely explore the island and relax in the rocking chairs on the deck of the hotel. Gulls were nesting on the southern side of the island, with many pairs of fuzzy, brown chicks and protective parents. We ate a picnic lunch facing the wide expanse of ocean to the east, then climbed all around the rocks next to the Art Barn. The marine offered a chance to explore touch tanks of native sea creatures. The hotel and dining room was very busy with camps for children and convention residents. The beautiful and rustic chapel is a must-see.

We went out on the smaller Challenger vessel, and returned on the Thomas Leighton. The narration both ways was excellent, and always fun to see things along the river from the other side of the water. (Interesting to note the famous Smuttynose murder history was not mentioned.) Dramamine is available on board if needed, but best taken before setting sail.

The visit is well worth the ticket price of $47 per person. Parking is available at the Steamship lot (additional $5 per vehicle).

No better way to feel like you're miles away while being so close to home. Highly recommend, being a tourist in your own town. :)

Great boat trip to the outer islands of NH. A must do.. Pick a warm summer day when the seas are light for the best trip possible.

We took the cruise to Star Island. It was beautiful and I am glad I had the experience. The history was entertaining.

We have done it a number of times - the booze cruise, the family cruise where you find out you can't get out on star Island, and the bar mitzvah party boat. All in great weather

The Isles Of Shoals Steamship Company made it easy to buy tickets right on the web site. No pressure, no sales pitch when I needed to chat with them.
The Shoals itself was a relief from the heat and the hustle and bustle. Never realized how much rich history this area of the seacoast of NH had and how it played a huge part in the revolutionary war.
Every where you looked was what you imagine New England seacoast town would look like. Excellent for pictures.
Will go again and again.

Exceeded our expectations in all ways. We’ve lived in Kittery,ME for three years and always saw the boats going out of Portsmouth to the isles from the waterfront. Visiting friends inquired and revealed an alternative cruise out of Rye Harbor that includes a one hour guided tour of Star Island with Tom, our captain. He was a wealth of information with lots of stories, legends, and facts to share. Fascinating history of these isles from ancient times to their present use as a religious retreat. What a fun day!

Jack the shipmate and the Captain are excellent tour guides and host.Coming into the dock to park was a breeze even though many cars were parked tandem. Star Island was enjoyable to visit and even better after discovering all the history that took place there.

I enjoyed everything about the boat trip to the Isles if Shoals, especially the history of the islands as narrated on board by our tour guide. It’s a small island, plan on a 25 minutes long walk around, with lots of time to stop and enjoy views.

We really enjoyed our isle of shoals tour and we also had two guests that shared our sentiments. We took the Thomas Leighton and stayed on the top deck. We loved it, except that we should have used some sunscreen (our bad), and we learned so much!
Nick, our tour guide was so pleasant and informative. We would highly recommend this tour to others. Awesome time, overall!!!

We had great weather traveling out to Isles of Shoals and enjoyed a short walking tour with one of the docents on the island. She was very knowledgeable and eager to share with us.

We then explored a bit more on our own, great history on the island and the perfect size, not too overwhelming.

Good hiking or sturdy sneakers are the best footwear if you want to see everything.

Once you get off the boat you feel as if you are in a different world. Time slows down, the whole pace of life slows down. If you want to taste the island life take one of the tours that drops you off and picks you up later in the day. These are usually on Sundays. If you can't stay on the island for a while a boat tour to Isles of Shoals is still a great experience. I have been here many times but I have not yet spent a night on any of the islands.

We love traveling to the North East! Great lobster rolls and martini's. The view is gorgeous too! Drive the coast and stop along the way. You will go back!

I was elated to get the chance to go. Sadly I didn't think to look in to the weather or events at the island before I got on the boat. I quickly found my self in the middle of a die hard bible boot camp on a sun parched rock in 97 degree weather. People were packing them selves in like sardines in what scarce shade they could find. Those who braved the broiling sun were quickly mobbed by the hoard of nesting seagulls. All that aside it was still a surprisingly great trip.
From the moment you set foot on the island your absorbed in the ambiance of isle life. Though the building are worn and sad they were still enchanting and welcoming. You only had to move a few feet to find a different captivating view. Each section of the island had a personality all its own. Littered with varied unique structures and layers of history. By fare the most pleasant experience of the whole trip was rocking on the porch in the middle of the Atlantic watching the storms roll in.

We boarded the Isle of Shoals Steamship Company's Thomas Laighton for the one hour Star Island walking tour. The voyage was beautiful and refreshing. It was hard to tune out the commentary which, although interesting, interfered with the sound of the wind and water. (Perhaps a fact sheet or headphones for those who want to listen?) one hour in Star island is barely enough if you want to hang out, relax, and transport yourself into the past. Summer camp for adults -- suggested by the huge cafeteria and programs that were running for those staying for a week or more. It is recommended that you wander around yourself to discover the nooks and crannies, buildings, gardens, sparkling granite rocks, and relaxing air. The tour on the island, according to a friend, was way too packed with information, and kept you from discovering the islands charm on your own. Go, wander, picnic, enjoy. The all day tour if you don't want to feel rushed.

We watch the Isles, from 10 miles away, all summer and imagine what it is like out there - then we can go and find out. The lovingly reproduced Celia Thaxter garden is beautiful. The scene from the Isles of the other isles and of the coast inspire the artist in anyone. The old hotel, the lighthouse, the small cabins on the island where two bloody murders took place -- very quaint and atmospheric.

Took a cruise to the Shoals and learned the history surrounding the Isles. Great trip to a beautiful group of Islands off the coast of NH.

These lovely rocky islands have been part of my life for 60 years.....first with family church conferences and more recently for retreats. It still feels like a place "away".....as a place to rejuvenate yourself, living simply and close to nature.......thanks to the stewardship of The Star Island Corporation and many other dedicated people.
Take the opportunity to sail out for the day....or plan to stay overnight...the stars out there are huge! And you are welcome......

Worth taking the day cruise to visit the Isles of Shoals. Star Island houses a large Unitaran Universalist resort, others are home to UNH's Oceanographic studies. Our cruise did not stop at the islands; inquire if yours does. Informative cruise narritave includes reference to Anita Shrieve's book (and movie) about the mass murders in the late 1800s on Smuttynose Is. I've attached some pictures I took while sailing there on a 25 foot Cape Dory sailboat.

Star Island, of the Isles of Shoals off the coasts of Maine and New Hampshire, is truly a remarkable place. Primarily a church conference center, they also hold general conferences at the end of the summer season, and there are rooms to rent for those who just want to come out for a night. One can also simply ride over on the ferry in the morning and depart in the evening, but then you don’t get the “tours”.
Somewhere around 40 acres, this island has trails galore through the greenery–hedges of wild rose plants, sumac, some grasses, and very few trees–there isn’t deep enough soil to sustain trees. The hiking is wonderful, but there is a major caveat: WATCH WHERE YOU WALK! The island is granite, so even the trails are not level, and granite pokes up through the thin soil on a regular basis, lying in wait. Stop, look around, then pay attention to the trail again as you move.
Living conditions are rustic, but very comfortable. Bathrooms are down the hall, and if your visit is a week or more, you may shower on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Short term visitors don’t have that privilege–showers are fed by cistern water, which depends on rain.
We were visiting my sister-law, so we ate with the help down in the basement. The food was great and plentiful!
We enjoyed hiking, and we attended two guided walks: a Low Tide Walk, and a Botany walk, where experts in their fields pointed out the local flora and fauna.
Cell phones have some signal, but there is no TV. There is also no computer wi-fi, except in one room, for a price.
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay. The island is a wonderful place to step out of the mainstream for a while.

It is a day trip to Isles of Shoals as only one island can be attended -Star Island. It is a tiny island. 30 mins is more than enough to walk around. We went there because we saw an exhibition of impressionist Childe Hassam paintings of Isles of Shoals and thought it would be great to see the actual subject. The trip by the boat back and forth on a sunny day is wonderful and relaxed- we used Isles of Shoals Steamship Company boats. The narration is very basic and does not touch at all on the history of the islands which is pretty rich but we read ahead of time, so we ignore the fact that the narration skipped that part. The island's path has piles of rubbish. It is not maintained at all and was quite a disappointment. Probably back in Hassam's time it was much better and he had a chance of going to other islands.

this is an educational/ church conference center which offers weekly/weekend subject based conferences, with personal retreats available. it's a place to kick back and relax. massage is available

Though the morning was overcast and looked foreboding, we took a chance on the Isle of Shoals Steamship Authority tour. We are glad we did! Despite the foggy conditions along the way, the narration was highly informative and entertaining. We learned more than we expected about the islands just off the shores of Portsmouth. It was a nice, long excursion and well worth the price of admission!! Just as a pleasure cruise, even without a narrated tour, this would be worth it It does get chilly out there, so even though it was nearly 90 on land, by the time we got an hour out to sea, we donned our sweatshirts, and found a sunny spot on the outside deck to keep warm. But make sure you bring your sunscreen!! We left the ship looking a bit like boiled lobsters, through no fault of the tour operators. Just our own negligence on underestimating the power of the sun, even on cloudy days.

This cruise ship was beautiful bug and fun for all.ages. our baby and 3 yr old girl loved to watch through the window as,the ship sailed through the Atlantic ocean. The tour guide was clear snd informative we heard him very clearly from all sides of the ship there was also an outdoor area we could sit and relax there were drinks and alcohol to purchase as well the bathrooms we're clean and well kept
A must do trip ! We got to jump off the ship at star island and tour the isolated island that had very old houses abd church and cemetery very cool

I loved the trip out there and the tidbits of information that were given along the way. The boat is in nice shape with plenty of room for everyone to enjoy shade or sun.

Star Island, however...I hated that place. It would have been interesting to explore had it not been for the icy stares from the island dwellers. We went out to look at a large monument and were immediately swarmed by thousands of small black birds. I got pooped upon, of course, so we made our way to the hotel to find a place to clean up.

The hotel was something out of a nightmare. It was unorganized, kind of dirty, and the bathrooms are ODD. I came out of a very grungy dungeon stall to wash my hands, only to find a woman coming out of a separate room wearing only a towel around her waist. It seems that the hotel guests shower in there as well...and that showering is somehow RATIONED there. This would explain the lingering scent of body odor in most places on the island.

I got the creepiest cult vibe from Star Island. I felt like I was on the set of an M. Night Shyamalan movie and I felt such crushing anxiety from just being there that I returned to the ship far in advance of the return trip time. As the ship started back to Portsmouth, a group of cult members chanted "YOU WILL BE BACK! YOU WILL BE BACK! YOU WILL BE BACK!" from the dock.

I can say with 100% certainty that I WILL NOT BE BACK because I feel kind of lucky that I escaped to begin with.

Take the Oscar Laighton and stop on Star Island for a guided tour and learn about the history of the island. Sit on a rock overlooking the ocean or stop in the hotel for an ice cream or lime ricky and sit for a bit in one of the rocking chairs on the expansive hotel porch.

The boat trip to Star Island was great. The trip was narrated with lots of history regarding the various points of interest pointed out along the way. Once we reached the island we then joined a guided walking tour. There we learned the history of the island, the buildings we saw and several monuments. Once we boarded the boat for the trip back, a very dense fog bank rolled in. Our captain had to slow the boat to a crawl and one of the crew were in the bow watching for other boaters. Our captain had years of experience and safely guided us around other boaters, often having to use the boat horn, which is quite loud. Since it was slow going back we missed the timing of when the bridge would be open, luckily for us, the captain arranged to have the bridge open just for us to enter the harbor. I gotta say the trip back in the fog was both scary and amazing at the same time. Many thanks to the captain for our safe return.

the captain and crew were top notch. we had a historian narrate the history and background of each location as we sailed past. Very interesting and relaxing...non-boat people would even enjoy it!

Idyllic! What a nice trip out to this beautiful, storied island. This may have been the first, therefore the oldest, non native settlement in America. Even before Ponce de Leon (and being from St. Augustine that is not a distinction easily handed off). Worth the trip!

The Isle of Shoals Steamship Company offers a 4 hour Star Island walking tour that is well organized and executed. On the way out you get a tour of Portsmouth Harbor and learn a lot about its history, including the five Forts that surround it, the Navy Yard and the Federal Prison used to house POWs. You have almost 2 hours to explore Star Island and its Hotel, the old Stone Church and other buildings and learn about the history. If you brought a picnic lunch there are many scenic places to enjoy it. The ship has refreshments available for the ride back and forth. We had a sunny, no coat day and had a great time!

This amazing ship has just had many amazing upgrades. So many options here, Narrated tour, Whale watch, dance and the incredible lobster feed. Our company decided to mix it up this summer and host the employees summer party on the Thomas Leighton. Lobster, steamers, corn on the cob and a 2.5 hour tour of our incredible harbor. Can't get any better than this. If you have not been on this trip...make it a priority. Capt. J. Bell is the best.

Great trip! We arrived at approximately 10:30 am and made our way towards the front of the boat. We handed our tickets to the employee and headed to the top floor of the boat. We bought the Isles of Shoals & Portsmouth Harbor Tour, and the entire trip lasted roughly 2 and a half hours. The tour guide was very good and told us about the history of the Portsmouth harbor, as well as pointing out important landmarks as we passed them, including an old abandoned prison. The weather was a little rough- as it was cloudy and windy- but we had a nice trip regardless.

Tip: I recommend spending 2.5 hours here if you truly want to see everything

Nice place to see. Lots of history. Interesting history..
10 miles off shore...it's a nice trip on a sunny day!!!

We took the cruise out to the island as the sunset and had a great time.. This city is one of my favorites...

The first part of the tour was on a smaller boat and the second part was on a much larger boat. There was an interesting and informative narrative in both directions, and the scenery was beautiful.

We spent about an hour on Star Island, which is scenic, but there was really very little to do except go into the small gift shop. No food services at all were available, not even a bottle of water.

It was a pleasant day on the water, and the time on Star Island did pass quickly. My wife and I would recommend this tour. Just bring water with you.

An interesting cruise out 6 miles to the Isles of Shoals and their unique history. There are various cruises available (http://www.islesofshoals.com/contact-us.html) from the steamship company, including stops on Appledore to visit Celia Taxter's garden, the subject of impressionist Childe Hassam.
The only one of the islands you can stay overnight is Star Island (http://starisland.org/) which operates weeklong conferences during the summer but also welcomes day visitors for meals and overnight visitors depending on room. Check it out - 100 year hotel, 200 year old chapel - go for a day or longer.

Whether it's the tour of the islands with the history lesson or the 3 hour stop over on Star Island. It's a must do if you are in the area. The 3 hour Star Island trip gives you time to explore the island, pack a picnic and enjoy, purchase ice cream on the island, sit on the big turn of the century porch in a rocking chair and gaze at the ocean. It's always a great family day for us!