United States

The United States offers diverse pelagic birding across both coasts and Hawaii. Atlantic trips from North Carolina's Outer Banks are legendary for rare tubenoses including Black-capped Petrel, while Pacific trips from Monterey and Half Moon Bay target Black-footed Albatross and Ashy Storm-Petrel. Seasonal highlights include spring and fall migrations bringing shearwaters and jaegers close to shore.

Sub-regions

All Trips in United States

San Diego Offshore Pelagic

San Diego Pelagics / Buena Vista Audubon

United States › California
  • Mission Bay, San Diego, CA
  • Selected dates, August–November
  • $130–$180 per person

Pelagic Birding Trip

Friends of the Marine Science Center

United States › Florida
  • Ponce Inlet, Volusia County, Florida
  • Annual; typically May to June (spring to early summer); very long day trip departing approximately 3:00 am and returning approximately 9:00 pm (approximately 18 hours at sea); travels 50+ miles offshore to the Gulf Stream; contact the Marine Science Center at (386) 304-5545 or marinesciencecenter.com for current schedule and booking
  • Price on request; contact Friends of the Marine Science Center at (386) 304-5545 or marinesciencecenter.com for current pricing and availability

Spring Pelagic Tour

Audubon Everglades

United States › Florida
  • Bill Bird Marina, Haulover Park, Miami, Florida
  • Annual; typically May (spring); 8-hour charter departing 8:30 am sharp (boarding 8:15 am), returning approximately 4:30 pm; open first to Audubon Everglades members, then the general public; contact paula@auduboneverglades.org for current year dates and registration
  • USD 135 for Audubon Everglades members; USD 160 for non-members (2024 pricing); fee includes boat charter, crew gratuity, snacks, and beverages; contact paula@auduboneverglades.org for current pricing and availability

Kona Pelagic Birding Adventure

Hawaii Bird Tours

United States › Hawaii
  • Honokōhau Harbor, Kailua-Kona, Big Island, Hawaii
  • Year-round; most productive March–October; peak diversity during transitional seasons (March–April and September–October); check website for current dates
  • Contact operator for current rates

Cap'n Fish's Special Pelagic Bird Cruise — Gulf of Maine

Cap'n Fish's Cruises / Freeport Wild Bird Supply

United States › Maine
  • Boothbay Harbor, ME
  • Selected dates, July–October; half-day departures; additional Freeport Wild Bird Supply-organised dates spring and fall — see freeportwildbirdsupply.com/pelagics for scheduled outings
  • Contact operator for current pricing

Maryland Mid-Atlantic Pelagic

Hillstar Nature

United States › Maryland
  • Ocean City, Maryland (and Lewes, Delaware for overnight summer trips)
  • Multiple dates per year — summer overnight from Lewes, DE (August); fall deepwater from Ocean City, MD (September); winter pelagics (December–February); see hillstarnature.com/pelagics for current schedule
  • ~$265 per person; see hillstarnature.wetravel.com for current pricing and availability

NH Audubon Jeffrey's Ledge Pelagic Birding Trip

New Hampshire Audubon / Massabesic Audubon Center

United States › New Hampshire
  • Rye Harbor, NH
  • Selected dates in spring (May) and fall (September); trips sell out quickly — see nhaudubon.org/events for current schedule and registration
  • $75 NH Audubon members / $95 non-members

Cape May Offshore Pelagic

Cape May Whale Watch & Research Center / Cape May Bird Observatory

United States › New Jersey
  • Cape May, NJ
  • Selected dates, year-round; 6-hour, 12-hour, and 24-hour departures available
  • $85–$150 per person

Hatteras Offshore Pelagic

Seabirding / Brian Patteson

United States › North Carolina
  • Hatteras, NC
  • Every Saturday, May–October; occasional extra dates
  • $220–$235 per person

Oregon Pelagic Tours

Oregon Pelagic Tours

United States › Oregon
  • Newport, OR
  • Selected dates, July–October
  • $110–$160 per person

Gulf Eagle Offshore Pelagic

Deep Sea Headquarters / McIntyre Birding Tours

United States › Texas
  • Port Aransas, TX
  • Selected dates, August–October; 12-hour and 48-hour trips
  • $150–$250 per person

Gulf Eagle Gulf of Mexico Pelagic

McIntyre Birding Tours / Deep Sea Headquarters

United States › Texas Gulf Coast
  • Deep Sea Headquarters, 440 W Cotter Ave, Port Aransas, Texas 78373
  • Multiple dates per year, with a heavy concentration of departures in the fall season (August–November). Both 12-hour day trips and 48-hour extended offshore trips are offered. Contact Captain Jon McIntyre directly to enquire about current dates and availability: mcintyrebirbirds@hotmail.com or phone (361) 749-5597 (also Deep Sea Headquarters main number).
  • $150–250 per person for 12-hour day trips; 48-hour extended offshore trips available at higher pricing; verify current rates and dates directly with Captain McIntyre at mcintyrebirbirds@hotmail.com or (361) 749-5597

Texas Gulf of Mexico Pelagic

Texas Pelagics

United States › Texas Gulf Coast
  • South Padre Island, Texas (primary departure point); also Port Aransas and Freeport, Texas
  • Multiple trips per year, typically late summer through autumn (August–October). The 2026 schedule runs August 8, August 29, September 12, and October 3 from South Padre Island. Trips are 12–14 hours; most depart in the evening or early morning to maximise time on productive offshore waters. Check texaspelagics.com for current dates, departure points, and trip lists — add your name to the list directly on the website.
  • Approximately $173 per person (2026 pricing from South Padre Island); verify current pricing and availability at texaspelagics.com

Seabirding Virginia Beach — Norfolk Canyon Pelagic

Seabirding (Brian Patteson, Inc.)

United States › Virginia
  • Lynnhaven Inlet, Virginia Beach, VA
  • Winter trips (January–March) targeting alcids and cold-water species; summer/fall trips (August–October) targeting shearwaters, petrels, and phalaropes; see seabirding.com/schedule for current dates
  • $235 per person per day (2026 pricing; confirm at seabirding.com/schedule)

Westport Seabirds

Westport Seabirds

United States › Washington
  • Westport, WA
  • Weekends, April–October; check website for specific dates
  • $220 per person

Frequently Asked Questions

How many pelagic birding trips are there in United States?

United States has 17 pelagic birding trips listed in the directory, spanning 15 sub-regions.

Where do pelagic trips depart from in United States?

Pelagic trips in United States depart from Bill Bird Marina, Haulover Park, Miami, Florida, Boothbay Harbor, ME, Cape May, NJ, Deep Sea Headquarters, 440 W Cotter Ave, Port Aransas, Texas 78373, Hatteras, NC, Honokōhau Harbor, Kailua-Kona, Big Island, Hawaii, Hyannis, MA, Lynnhaven Inlet, Virginia Beach, VA, Mission Bay, San Diego, CA, Newport, OR, Ocean City, Maryland (and Lewes, Delaware for overnight summer trips), Ponce Inlet, Volusia County, Florida, Port Aransas, TX, Rye Harbor, NH, Seward, AK, South Padre Island, Texas (primary departure point); also Port Aransas and Freeport, Texas, and Westport, WA.

Which operators run pelagic trips in United States?

Alaska Seabird Charters, Audubon Everglades, Brookline Bird Club, Cap'n Fish's Cruises / Freeport Wild Bird Supply, Cape May Whale Watch & Research Center / Cape May Bird Observatory, Deep Sea Headquarters / McIntyre Birding Tours, Friends of the Marine Science Center, Hawaii Bird Tours, Hillstar Nature, McIntyre Birding Tours / Deep Sea Headquarters, New Hampshire Audubon / Massabesic Audubon Center, Oregon Pelagic Tours, San Diego Pelagics / Buena Vista Audubon, Seabirding (Brian Patteson, Inc.), Seabirding / Brian Patteson, Texas Pelagics, and Westport Seabirds operate pelagic birding trips in United States.

What are the main pelagic birding regions in United States?

United States's pelagic trips are spread across Alaska, California, Florida, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas, Texas Gulf Coast, Virginia, and Washington.

Further Reading

When to Go Pelagic Birding in the United States

A seasonal guide to pelagic birding across the US, covering the East Coast, West Coast, Gulf of Mexico, Alaska, and Hawaii.

Read article →

Best Pelagic Birding Trips on the US East Coast

A regional guide to the top pelagic trips from Cape Hatteras and New England canyons to Florida's tropical seabirds.

Read article →

Best Pelagic Birding Trips on the US West Coast

A regional guide to West Coast pelagics: Westport's shearwater flocks, Oregon's Heceta Bank, San Diego's tropical rarities, and Alaska's seabird colonies.

Read article →