Pelagic Trip ($)

Join Jon Dunn and other seasoned birding guides for a full day of offshore birding!

We’ll travel aboard the 70-foot RV Sea Explorer, operated by the Ocean Institute in Dana Point, to the Fourteen-Mile Bank. It has two decks for viewing the birds, plenty of seating as well as deck space to move around on, a PA system for our trip leaders to use when pointing out the birds to us, and good restroom facilities (heads) on the lower deck.

When: 6:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Meeting Location

Ocean Institute
24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive
Dana Point, CA

Please arrive 30 minutes before departure for check-in, boarding, and pre-trip instructions.

Important: If you are prone to motion sickness, please take appropriate precautions before boarding.

The trip destination is usually the Fourteen-Mile Bank and it takes us a while to get out there. All of our pelagic trips – Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter – are 9 hour trips to allow us more time to study the birds out at the 14-mile bank. (The half hour period before the boat leaves is spent checking in, meeting with the trip leaders who will have some “words of wisdom” to pass on to you, and boarding the boat well in advance of the departure time. The staff on board will also have information to impart.)

Important: Be sure to bring lunch, as there is no food provided on the boat.

The birding skill level for this trip is advanced, but beginners can always start their learning curve of pelagic birds on any of these trips. There is something for everybody.