Family Programs
Bring Your Family to WFC for summer fun on land and sea!
By Land
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Discover local marine life with hands-on activities, including a marine organism touch tank, a scavenger hunt on the beach, and exploring the shoreline with a seine net.
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Experience the peace and tranquility of birdwatching with a WFC Naturalist!
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Help raise oysters for continued health and clean waters within Oyster Bay/ColdSpring Harbor.
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The WaterFront Center is a horseshoe crab survey site where volunteers can join our team to walk the beach during the evening high tides to count, size, and tag any horseshoe crabs found on Beekman and Theodore Roosevelt beaches.
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Treat your family to a sailing experience on Oyster Bay Harbor!
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See the outdoors like a naturalist as you and your family follow your guide in our kayaks.
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Take the family on an adventure aboard our National Historic Oyster Sloop CHRISTEEN and learn more about the marine life in the Oyster Bay National Wildlife Refuge through a hands-on experience led by our Naturalists.
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Explore Oyster Bay Harbor with your family on single and double kayaks! Paddle the day away with your children and teens.
By Sea
By Land ~ By Land ~
By Land ~ By Land ~
Family Expeditions
Discover local marine life with hands-on activities, including a marine organism touch tank, a scavenger hunt on the beach, and exploring the shoreline with a seine net. This guided 90-minute program is great for the whole family. Everyone will learn the important role each habitat plays as part of the larger marine ecosystem while making memories with friends and family!
Sign up for a scheduled tour or call for personalized programs:
$20/person (minimum 3 people)
*Max group size 8 (at least one adult on the water) Children under 9 must be in a double kayak with a parent or guardian. Children under 2 are free.
Customize your Family Expedition!
Speak with our Education Director, Cameron, to see if we can modify your Family Expedition to supplement your child(ren)'s homeschooling or virtual-schooling needs. We can adapt our catalog of biology, physical science, earth science, and STEM activities to match your curriculum. Prices may vary.
Experience the peace and tranquility of birdwatching with a WFC Naturalist! Learn about songbirds, waterfowl, raptors, and wading birds by exploring The WaterFront Center's ecosystems!
Location: The WaterFront Center
Day & Time: Fridays: 10am – 12pm
Birding & binoculars: $15
Birding & BYOB (bring your own binoculars): $10
Children 4 and under are free!
Birding With The WaterFront Center
Horseshoe Crab Tagging
The WaterFront Center is a horseshoe crab survey site where volunteers can join our team to walk the beach during the evening high tides to count, size, and tag any horseshoe crabs found on Beekman and Theodore Roosevelt beaches.
Community Shellfish Gardening
Help raise oysters for continued health and clean waters within Oyster Bay/ColdSpring Harbor. Give back to the waters we call home by volunteering to help clean cages throughout the summer. For a small suppport fee, learn about the life-cycle of oysters, build cages, sort and clean oysters.
Get Involved in our Scientific Community!
By Sea ~ By Sea ~
By Sea ~ By Sea ~
Discover Sailing
Discover Sailing: First Experiences
Explore all of what Oyster Bay Harbor has to offer with a Discover Sail! This program takes a maximum of four guests on a two-hour sail with a certified sailing instructor. This is the perfect experience for families of inexperienced sailors who want to see if sailing is right for them or simply a relaxing cruise for the whole family!
Saturdays & Sundays
• $195 for two hours; includes boat reservation and up to 4 passengers. Children under 5-17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. *Booking required, no walk-ins
Kayak Wildlife Tours
Join us for a 90-minute guided kayak excursion led by an experienced naturalist. Explore the wildlife of the Oyster Bay estuary and come to understand why the National Wildlife Refuge is home to such a diverse population of species. See the outdoors like a naturalist as you follow your guide in your own kayak. This is a great opportunity to experience nature while enjoying the water of Oyster Bay Harbor by yourself or with family and friends.
Sign up for a scheduled tour or call for personalized programs:
$55/single kayak (one participant)
$75/double kayak (two participants)
*Max group size 9 (at least one adult on the water). Children under 9 must be in a double kayak with a parent or guardian.
Paddle With The Family
Spots open up may 2024
Single Kayak
Price: $32.00/hr + tax
Capacity: 1 Person
Age: Ages 8 & older*
Weight: Up to 250lbs
Children under 18 must be accompanied on the water by a parent or guardian.
Double Kayak
Price: $40.00/hr + tax
Capacity: 2 Persons
Age: Ages 5 & older*
Weight: Up to 425 lbs combined
Children under 9 must be in a double kayak with a parent or guardian.
Paddleboards
Price: $35.00/hr + tax
Capacity: 1 Person
Age: Ages 8 & older*
Weight: Up to 250-285lbs
Children under 18 must be accompanied on the water by a parent or guardian.
*New Giant 17ft Paddleboard
Price: $100.00/hr + tax
Capacity: 6 People
Age: Ages 5 & older*
Weight: Up to 1700lbs
*Children under 18 must be accompanied on the water by a parent or guardian.
The Mothership
Closed for the season
Disclaimer: picture is for visual only.
Double Kayak
Single Kayak
Stand-Up Paddleboard
Children Over 5
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Children Over 5 〰️
Children Over 8
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Children Over 8 〰️
Christeen Sails
Harbor Tours
Marine Ecology Cruise
Take the family on an adventure aboard CHRISTEEN and learn more about the marine life in the Oyster Bay National Wildlife Refuge through a hands-on experience led by our Naturalists. Be part of an unforgettable learning experience while hoisting the sails and “meeting the locals” with a touch tank!
$35 per person*
*Children must be 3 years old and above and be accompanied by an adult over the age of 18.
Wondering what to do with family or friends on Long Island? Any local or visitor will tell you to take a cruise on the historic CHRISTEEN! Come aboard, see the sights, and take a two-hour sail around Oyster Bay to learn about the harbor’s significance during the early 1990s.
$45 per person*
*Children must be 3 years old and above and be accompanied by an adult over the age of 18.
