Portsmouth Islands & Harbor Guided Bike Tour
Pedal Portsmouth’s waterfront, islands and maritime history with a local guide
Duration
2–2.5 hrs
Includes
Guide, bike, safety equipment
Highlights
Explore Portsmouth’s waterfront, gardens and coastal islands on a relaxed guided ride. Hear stories of fishing, shipbuilding and fortifications as you take in Atlantic views.
- Pedal along waterfront parks, gardens and historic neighborhoods
- Discover Portsmouth’s maritime and naval history through guided stories
- Take in coastal scenery around New Castle Island and the Atlantic Ocean
- Enjoy a small-group pace designed for sightseeing and photo stops
Itinerary
- Visit the Great Island Common to hear about the Isle of Shoals and lighthouses (photo opportunity)
- Visit Fort Stark to hear about the history behind the state motto
- Visit Four Tree and Pierce Islands to hear about the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (photo opportunity)
- Visit Prescott Park to hear about the Prescott sisters' waterfront transformation (photo opportunity)
What's Included
- Expert guide
- 21-speed city bike
- Helmet
- Safety vest
Important details
- Arrive 30 minutes before departure for bike fitting and safety instruction
- Complete the required waiver before the tour; riders under 18 need a parent or legal guardian
- Wear closed-toe athletic shoes; sandals are not permitted
- Tours are not suitable for pregnant women
- Expect to ride approximately 8–12 miles, including small hills and city riding
- E-bike riders must be over 16 and at least 5'2" tall
- Tours operate in light rain but not severe or unsafe weather conditions
- A security deposit applies for rental equipment at pickup; the amount is not stated and is not included in the listed price
- A 20% gratuity is added for parties of 6 or more and is not included in the listed price
Cancellation Policy
Receive a full refund for cancellations made more than 72 hours before departure. Reschedule once for a $20 per-rider fee, subject to availability. Bookings made within 48 hours cannot be canceled or refunded. If the operator cancels due to extreme weather, you may reschedule or receive a refund.
Product ID: 3XW6BB
FAQs
Arrive 30 minutes before your tour start time so you can get fitted for your bike and helmet and review bike safety and operation.
Wear weather-appropriate athletic clothing and closed-toe athletic shoes (sneakers). Bring water; sunglasses, sunscreen, and snacks are also advised. Do not bring glass bottles or wear sandals.
Tours run rain or shine, except in extreme weather conditions such as lightning, hail, or torrential rain. In some circumstances, the tour may be canceled up to an hour before the start time.
Meeting details
John Paul Jones Carriage House, 43 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801
More about Four Tree Island
Four Tree Island sits just off the edge of downtown Portsmouth, a small, breezy outpost connected by causeway to Peirce Island and looking straight out toward the working tugboats and tidal currents of the Piscataqua River. On the Islands and Harbor Sightseeing Bike Tour, Four Tree Island is one of the most memorable pauses of the ride, a place where the pace slows and the harbor opens up in every direction. Named for the four trees that once stood on this rocky little spit, it has long been a favorite local picnic spot, and rolling in by bike feels like being let in on a Portsmouth secret that most visitors miss.
As you pedal across the short causeway to Four Tree Island, the salt air sharpens and the sound of gulls mixes with the low rumble of boats heading to sea. Your guide shares stories of Portsmouth's seafaring past while you take in panoramic views of the harbor, the shipyard across the water, and the bridges linking New Hampshire to Maine. Compared with the quiet, tree-lined streets of the South End or the historic homes you roll past earlier in the tour, Four Tree Island feels wide open and elemental, all sky, water, and granite. It is an easy, flat stop, perfect for stretching your legs, snapping photos, and feeling the breeze off the Atlantic.
This stretch of the ride is ideal for curious travelers, couples on a relaxed getaway, families with older kids, and anyone who likes their sightseeing with a little fresh air and movement. History buffs will appreciate the layered Portsmouth stories told along the way, while photographers will love the unobstructed harbor sightlines from Four Tree Island. If you want to see Portsmouth the way locals do, from the saddle of a bike with the tide rolling in beside you, Four Tree Island is the moment that ties the whole experience together.
