Why Monterey
The deepest canyon on the west coast, a few miles out
Most West Coast ports need a long run to reach genuinely deep, offshore water. Monterey does not. The submarine canyon here is the largest and deepest on the west coast, dropping to 12,000 feet, and it approaches near-shore. Cold, nutrient-rich water rises up the canyon wall, plankton blooms, and the food chain that follows draws in seabirds normally found far offshore from other harbours.
For a birder that translates into three things:
- More time on productive water and less time transiting.
- A large variety of seabirds both near-shore and pelagic, with rarities possible.
- Species diversity and abundance that change through the seasons.
The trip
What to expect on the water
This is a full day at sea, covering many miles as we travel offshore. The route works the canyon edge and the offshore waters where the birds concentrate, so expect a meaningful run out and back with the productive hours in the middle.
- Duration
- 8 to 12 hours, seasonal
- Departs
- Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey
- Group size
- Up to 35, never a full boat
- Leaders
- Several expert bird leaders on every trip, plus spotters
- Ages
- 13 and over
Before you book
The honest part
Seasickness
A pelagic trip runs long and goes into open water that can be rough. If you are prone to motion sickness, plan ahead: take your preferred remedy the night before and again in the morning, per the label, and eat a light breakfast. Ginger helps some people. The middle of the boat, low and looking at the horizon, is the most stable spot.
Layers
It is colder and windier offshore than at the dock, in any season. Bring more than you think you need: a windproof outer layer, a warm mid-layer and a hat. Waterproof footwear is smart.
Optics
Binoculars are essential. A camera with reach is rewarding but optional. Scopes are not practical on a moving boat.
Food and water
Bring food and snacks. Water and soda are available on board.
Conditions and cancellations
Trips depend on weather and sea state, and safety comes first. If we have to cancel for weather we will normally tell you the night before, and you can take a refund or move to another trip.
Booking
Reserve online above, or by phone on 831-375-4658. Cancel two weeks or more ahead for a full refund; rescheduling carries no fee.
Species
A globally renowned place to watch seabirds
Monterey Bay is known for its shearwater diversity, Black-footed Albatross, three jaeger species plus South Polar Skua, storm-petrels including the nearly California-endemic Ashy Storm-Petrel, and alcids from Rhinoceros Auklet to Tufted Puffin. Our trips run mainly in autumn, during the highest seabird diversity of the year.
Our checklist runs to 107 species, 92 of them photographed: 72 seabirds and 20 marine mammals, including the rare and the very rare.
Marine mammals
Cetaceans come as part of the day
You are on the same rich water as our whale watch trips, so cetaceans and pinnipeds are a regular part of a seabird day: humpbacks, blue whales, killer whales and a variety of dolphins. The species list covers those too.
Why us
What makes these trips different
Monterey Bay specialists
We run pelagic trips out of Monterey only. Our leaders and spotters are fresh rather than exhausted from driving in overnight from other trips elsewhere in Northern California. Most are local residents who follow the current sightings and know the hotspots.
Our vessel
The 55-foot Point Sur Clipper is used solely for natural history outings. Seating for 40, capacity 48, no bait tanks blocking access and no leftover fishy smells from fishing charters.
Small groups
We do not fill the boat to capacity. That keeps everyone comfortable and safe, and means you can see the birds without jockeying for position at the rail.
Conservation and research
Every trip adds to the record
The observations logged on these trips add to a long record of seabird occurrence in Monterey Bay. Our leaders enter the day's sightings into eBird, and the checklist is sent to everyone on board.
Twenty years of that record is already published here as the trip report archive.