The Boat: We'll sail on Grande, a comfortable 85-foot live-aboard with a roomy lounge area, licensed to carry 120 fisherman by day.   The trip is limited to 38 passengers plus leaders to allow plenty of room. 

Leaders/Spotters:  Todd McGrath, Paul Lehman, Jon Feenstra and Dave Pereksta

$150 if reserved by April 1. 
$175 if reserved by May 1. 
$200 after May 1.   

MAKE YOUR RESERVATION TODAY
Reserve by check, telephone or website.  
Click here to reserve your spot. 

Finding Rarities and Mega-rarities
Expert spotters/leaders and a crew that understands how and why birding is different than fishing greatly increase the odds of finding great birds and ensuring all participants see the birds. 

Black-footed Albatross.  Photo by Todd McGrath

The Trip

PARKING - There is plenty of parking at Point Loma Sportsfishing for $5 a day.

Departure point:
Point Loma Sportfishing
1403 Scott Street
San Diego, CA 92106
Phone: 619-223-1627

CANCELLATIONS  Only the landing can process cancellations.  Their refund and substitution policy is described in the reservations link

 Red-billed Tropicbird photo by Todd McGrath

MAKE YOUR RESERVATION TODAY
Reserve by check, telephone or website.  
Click here to reserve your spot. 

Our goal is to help you have FUN, see lots of seabirds and understand the birds you see.  To that end, experienced pelagic leaders will be stationed around the boat.  You will recognize them by  their name tags.  They are on board for one reason: to HELP YOU SEE BIRD AND HAVE FUN.  Ask them lots of questions.  This is your opportunity to tap their knowledge and increase your knowledge of seabirds.

STORAGE:  Please don’t store gear, coolers or clothing on the floor, tables or benches in the salon – leave that space for people.   Please store your bags & packs in the bunkhouse on the unused bunks or outside the salon in the tackle racks.

BACKPACKS:  Please don’t wear a backpack on the boat because it makes it very difficult for others to maneuver around you.   

FIGHT SEASICKNESS:  Coffee, water, snacks, pastries, sandwiches and soft drinks are available for sale in the galley.  Eat and drink fluids.  A full stomach is less likely to betray you.

MOTION MEDICATION:  If you have a motion-pill or a patch, take it BEFORE departure.  If you wait until you feel queasy, it’s too late.  If you find that you must offer up your breakfast to the chum-gods, please do so on the stern, at the very back of the boat, over the back rail. 

COASTGUARD requirements state that all passengers remain on the main deck or below.  Two leaders are allowed up top to spot birds. 

CIGARETTES are allowed only at the back rail at the stern, and only if nobody complains. 

IF YOU SEE A BIRD OR MAMMAL you don’t recognize, call it out!  Call loudly.  A leader will immediately help with an I.D.  Not only will you learn, others around you will benefit.  If you spot what turns out to be a rare bird or mammal, the leader will radio the sighting to the bridge so it can be announced over the P.A. system and everybody on the boat benefits. 

BIRD LOCATIONS  We use the “clock” method of describing the location of birds.  The bow (front) of the boat is 12 o’clock.  The starboard (right) side of the boat is 3 o’clock.  The stern (back) of the boat is 6 o’clock, and so on.  We’ll also call out if the bird is low to the water, how distant it is, and the direction it’s flying.  The more you can incorporate this description into your sighting, the faster a leader will help you identify the bird.  For example:  “There’s a small dark bird on the water at 8 o’clock at about 100 yards!” will help everyone know where to look.  Or, “White bird at 4 o’clock flying right about 200 yards from the boat at the horizon!”