Maritime Aquarium Announces 2026 Summer Cruises

NORWALK, CT — The Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk has announced details for its upcoming summer cruises beginning this month.

According to a news release provided by the aquarium, these educator-led outings aboard the R/V Sound Explorer invite guests to experience the beauty, biodiversity and maritime heritage of Long Island Sound and Norwalk Harbor from the water.

"Being out on Long Island Sound changes the way people view it," Captain Nicki Rosenfeld, director of vessel operations and programs, said in a news release. "Whether guests are helping us bring a trawl net onboard or relaxing as the sun sets over the Norwalk Islands, these cruises offer a meaningful way to experience the Sound firsthand and to better understand why it’s worth protecting."

Marine Life Encounter Cruise

Designed for curious minds of all ages, the Marine Life Encounter Cruise offers a hands-on introduction to the Sound's rich marine ecosystem, according to the aquarium.

Participants study marine biodiversity from the surface to the seafloor using a trawl net tow that brings fish, crabs, mollusks and other sea life onboard for an up-close observation, according to the release.

A video microscope and touch tank enhance the experience, offering a memorable look at how the Sound's interconnected marine life thrives, the release notes.

Marine Life Encounter Cruises begin May 2 and are offered at 1 p.m. throughout the month of May.

Beginning Memorial Day weekend, cruises expand to Saturdays and Sundays.

The full summer schedule, Wednesday through Sunday, launches on June 24, according to the aquarium.

Sunset Cruise

Perfect for an evening out on the water, the Sunset Cruise offers a scenic and social way to experience Long Island Sound, according to the aquarium.

This relaxed tour travels through the Norwalk Islands and is timed to capture the beauty of the setting sun. Aquarium educators are onboard to point out wildlife and notable sights along the way, making it both informative and picturesque, according to the release.

Sunset Cruises begin May 23 and are offered every Saturday at 7 p.m. throughout the summer, the release notes.

Food and beverages are not available for purchase onboard, however guests are welcome to bring their own in a small bag or soft-sided cooler. Glass bottles are prohibited, according to the aquarium.

Oyster Town Harbor Cruise

The Oyster Town Harbor Cruise explores Norwalk's rich maritime heritage and the vital role oysters play in shaping its coastal ecosystem, according to the aquarium.

Guests will enjoy a tour through Norwalk Harbor as an aquarium educator shares how the city earned its nickname "Oyster Town," and why oysters continue to thrive here today, according to the aquarium.

Along the way, visitors will learn about the Maritime Aquarium's ongoing efforts to help restore local oyster beds and protect the Sound's living shoreline, according to the aquarium.

The Oyster Town Harbor Cruise is offered on Sundays from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend at 1:30 p.m., the release notes.

General Information

Cruises depart from the aquarium's dock at 90 Water Street, a 7-10-minute walk from the aquarium's main entrance, according to the release.

Guests must be at least 42 inches tall, and passengers under 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult, the release notes.

Information on schedules, pricing and reservations is available on the aquarium's website.