Photo credit : Tom Blackman | Ally Marsh | Larry Schott
Pelagic Birding Tours
Bird ABA’s southernmost borders and beyond
Spend several days offshore over deep-water canyons, underwater seamounts, and around islands of the southern California bight. Our 5-day tour travels north over the 9 Mile Bank, weaves through the Channel Islands, and continues past Point Conception to Arguello Canyon, Rodriguez Dome, San Juan Seamount and wherever the seabirds lead us.
A history of stellar sightings
Since our first trips in 2003, we have amassed an amazing list of species which include: Black-footed and Laysan Albatross; Northern Fulmar; Murphy’s, Cook’s, Bulwer’s, White-chinned, and Hawaiian Petrel; Flesh-footed, Buller’s Pink-Footed, Sooty, and Black-vented Shearwaters; Least, Leach’s, Ashy, and Black Storm-Petrels; Red-billed and Red-tailed Tropicbirds; Red and Red-necked Phalaropes; South Polar Skua; Pomarine, Parasitic, and Long-tailed Jaegers; Sabine’s Gull; Arctic Tern; Pigeon Guillemot; Common Murre; Cassin’s and Rhinoceros auklets. Offshore San Diego is prime for locating Guadalupe, Scripps’, and Craveri’s Murrelets in ABA waters.
Round-trip from San Diego, California
Awesome food and service from the captain to the deckhands to the chef. Trip was well-planned for maximizing birds. The gold standard of pelagic trips.
Great trip! Thanks for getting on the birds, great meals, and care/attention from the crew!
5-day Itinerary
Our signature birding voyage
San Diego
Board Searcher at Fisherman’s Landing by 11 a.m. for passenger orientation. Depart at noon. Spend the day birding to the 9 Mile Bank and other underwater banks, ridges and canyons.
Offshore
Our second day at sea will find us in the Channel Islands. From there we travel north and west to deeper waters, past Point Conception to Arguello Canyon, Rodriguez Dome.
Offshore
Today finds us in 2,000 fathom waters where we explore the known Pterodroma corridors near San Juan Seamount and other seamounts at and past the edge of the Continental Shelf, where the rarities roam.
Offshore
Search the area 40 miles southwest of the Cortez Bank, 150 miles offshore – as far southwest as anyone can get in the ABA area.
Return to San Diego
Arrive Fisherman’s Landing, San Diego by 8 a.m.