Family Fun at The WaterFront Center
Make memories on land and sea with hands-on marine programs, sailing experiences, wildlife tours, paddle rentals and historic sails aboard CHRISTEEN.
Choose Your Adventure
Discover local wildlife, explore the shoreline, learn to sail or enjoy Oyster Bay Harbor from a kayak, paddleboard or historic oyster sloop.
By Land
Family Expeditions
Touch tanks, beach scavenger hunts and shoreline exploration.
Community Shellfish Gardening
Help raise oysters and support cleaner local waters.
Horseshoe Crab Conservation
Join evening surveys to count, measure and tag horseshoe crabs.
Birthday Parties & Celebrations
Celebrate with a hands-on marine education experience.
By Sea
Intro to Sailing
Experience Oyster Bay Harbor aboard a sailboat with an instructor.
Kayak Wildlife Tours
Follow a naturalist through the Oyster Bay estuary.
Paddle Rentals
Explore in a single kayak, double kayak or paddleboard.
CHRISTEEN Sails
Sail aboard our National Historic Landmark oyster sloop.
Family Expeditions
Discover local marine life through a guided, hands-on experience designed for the whole family.
Explore a marine organism touch tank, complete a scavenger hunt on the beach and investigate the shoreline using a seine net. During this 90-minute program, participants learn how each habitat contributes to the larger marine ecosystem.
Children under age 2 participate free. Contact us about scheduled expeditions or a personalized family program.
Join Our Scientific Community
Give back to the waters we call home while learning about the wildlife and habitats of Oyster Bay and Cold Spring Harbor.
Horseshoe Crab Conservation
The WaterFront Center is a horseshoe crab survey site. Volunteers walk local beaches during evening high tides to count, measure and tag horseshoe crabs found on Beekman and Theodore Roosevelt beaches.
Email to Join
Community Shellfish Gardening
Help raise oysters that support the continued health of Oyster Bay and Cold Spring Harbor. Volunteers assist with cleaning cages, sorting oysters and learning about the oyster life cycle.
A small support fee may apply to programs that include building cages or other materials.
Email to JoinKayak Wildlife Tours
Experience the wildlife of the Oyster Bay estuary from the water.
Join an experienced naturalist for a 90-minute guided kayak excursion. Learn why the Oyster Bay National Wildlife Refuge supports such a diverse population of species while enjoying the harbor with family and friends.
Maximum group size is nine. At least one adult must participate on the water. Children under age 9 must ride in a double kayak with a parent or guardian.
Book a Wildlife Tour
Explore Like a Naturalist
Look for shorebirds, marine life and the natural features that make the Oyster Bay estuary a nationally protected habitat.
Intro to Sailing
This two-hour sail with an instructor is designed to introduce new and beginner sailors to sailing. It is a great first experience on Oyster Bay.
The $150 price includes the boat reservation and up to four people. Each customer may book one Intro to Sailing experience.
Paddle With the Family
Choose a kayak or stand-up paddleboard and enjoy Oyster Bay Harbor at your own pace.
Single Kayak
- Capacity: 1 person
- Age: Ages 8 and older
- Weight: Up to 250 lbs.
Participants under age 18 must be accompanied on the water by a parent or guardian.
Book a Single KayakDouble Kayak
- Capacity: 2 people
- Age: Ages 5 and older
- Weight: Up to 425 lbs. combined
Children under age 9 must ride in a double kayak with a parent or guardian.
Book a Double KayakStand-Up Paddleboard
- Capacity: 1 person
- Age: Ages 8 and older
- Weight: Up to 250–285 lbs.
Participants under age 18 must be accompanied on the water by a parent or guardian.
Book a PaddleboardFamily Sails Aboard CHRISTEEN
Step aboard CHRISTEEN, our National Historic Landmark oyster sloop, and experience Oyster Bay’s maritime history, wildlife and working waterfront.
Harbor Tour
See the sights of Oyster Bay Harbor and learn about its maritime, environmental and cultural significance aboard one of America’s oldest surviving oyster sloops.
Guests must be at least 3 years old. Children must be accompanied by an adult age 18 or older.
Book a Harbor TourMarine Ecology Cruise
Learn about the marine life of the Oyster Bay National Wildlife Refuge through a hands-on experience led by our naturalists. Help hoist the sails and meet local marine organisms in a touch tank.
Guests must be at least 3 years old. Children must be accompanied by an adult age 18 or older.
Book an Ecology CruiseBirthday Parties & Private Celebrations
Make your child’s birthday memorable with a hands-on marine education experience at The WaterFront Center. Birthday parties are especially popular, and other private celebrations and group events are welcome too.
Harbor Habitats
A WaterFront Center naturalist leads guests through three important local habitats: freshwater, brackish water and salt marsh. Children discover the plants and animals that call these habitats home through outdoor exploration, seining, marsh activities and a hands-on touch tank.
Choose the Experience That Fits Your Group
Birthday parties may use any of our available marine education programs. Browse our curriculum and contact our team to select an age-appropriate activity for your guests.
View Marine Education Programs →Celebration Space
Parties include use of our picnic tables or, depending on availability, classroom space for food, cake and the celebration portion of your event.
Food, beverages and cake must be supplied by the family. Our team is happy to suggest local restaurants and food options if needed.
How Can We Help?
Please advise us of any mobility or accessibility needs when booking so our team can be as accommodating as possible.