COVID-19 UPDATE: We are updating the contents of our Getting to Shoals page to reflect pertinent travel information for our 2021 season. SML will be following guidance for essential travel as outlined by New Hampshire’s Division of Public Health Services. We will include additional pre-travel & arrival details for your course on this webpage as well. If you have urgent, travel-related questions, please contact SML’s Associate Director, Dr. David Buck.

Getting to Shoals

Getting to the Shoals Marine Laboratory (SML) varies depending upon the purpose of the trip! Please use the appropriate link below to learn how to get to SML on Appledore Island, Maine. See you there!

Parking

https://www.cityofportsmouth.com/publicworks/parkportsmouth/hanover-parking-garage

SML does not provide parking. Parking and any accompanying fees are the responsibility of the program participant.

Long-term Parking (48 hours to 21-day limit)

GO TO THE DOCK FIRST to drop-off your luggage. Find a Shoals staff member and check-in. Allow adequate time to park your vehicle, grab a taxi, and return to the dock for departure. The best long-term parking is available at the Portsmouth Transportation Center (Park & Ride). This lot is located at 185 Grafton Road, Portsmouth off Exit 3 on Rt. 95 in New Hampshire. (If you miss Exit 3, turning around will be difficult!) You must get a taxi from the Park & Ride to the dock (15-minute ride). This lot is free. Fees apply for the taxi ride.

Short-term Parking (Less than 48 hours)

GO TO THE DOCK FIRST to drop-off your luggage. Find a Shoals staff member and check-in. Allow adequate time to park your vehicle, walk or grab a taxi, and return to the dock for departure. The best short-term parking is available at the High St./Hanover St. Public Parking Garage, in Downtown Portsmouth, which is 3 blocks from the main dock. Parking fees apply.

Travel Info

Traveling by car:
  1. Follow arrival instructions above for getting to the dock on-time.
  2. SML does not provide parking in Portsmouth, NH.
  3. If you are getting dropped off, please do not park at the dock and wait for the boat to depart. Quick drop-offs only. (Same for pick-ups.)
  4. If you are driving yourself and need to park, follow the long-term/short-term parking instructions (see above). You will need to get a taxi from long-term parking back to the dock. Upon return, you will need to get a taxi back to your car.
Traveling by bus:
  1. C&J Trailways: Drops off at the Portsmouth Transportation Center (Park & Ride). You will need to get a taxi from this bus stop to the dock (15-miunte ride).
  2. Greyhound Bus: Drops off at 54 Hanover St. in downtown Portsmouth, then walk 3 blocks to the main dock.
Taxi to the dock:

(Call ahead to pre-arrange pick-ups)

  1. Rockingham Taxi: (603) 501-0960
  2. Great Bay Taxi: (603) 326-8294
  3. Market Square Taxi: (603) 205-1788
  4. Annie's Taxi: (603) 531-9955
Nearby airports:
  1. Boston Logan International Airport (Boston, MA) - BOS, 1.5 hours south of Portsmouth, NH
  2. Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (Manchester, NH) - MHT, 45 minutes northwest of Portsmouth, NH
Getting from the airport to Portsmouth:
  1. C&J Trailways: Picks up at Boston Logan Airport, drops off at the Portsmouth Transportation Center (Park & Ride). You will need to get a taxi from this bus stop to the dock (15-minute ride).
  2. Flightline:  Reservations required! Flightline services the Manchester airport, and drops off at the Sheraton Portsmouth Hotel, right across the street from the Portsmouth dock at 315 Market St.
  3. Boston Coach: Offers private car service in the Boston/southern NH area. Boston Coach will arrange group pickups as well as individual rides, which makes it a great resource for students meeting up at Manchester-Regional or Logan Airport!

Seacoast New Hampshire and Maine have a variety of places to stay, visit, and explore! If you need to spend the night on the mainland before or after your program, consult our list of recommendations. Also or check out visit.nh.gov and/or visitmaine.com.

SPECIAL NOTE FOR STUDENTS UNDER 21: Please be aware that some places to stay may not accept reservations for students under 21 years of age! SML cannot provide overnight accommodations for students before or after program start/end dates.

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Find The Dock

SML Portsmouth, NH Dock
315 Market Street, Portmouth, NH 03801

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