Pelagic Trips New England Pelagic Birding Trips  Pelagic Trips for Wandering SeaBirders New England Whale Watch Boats   Getting Started with Pelagic Birding Your First Pelagic Trip Overnight Pelagic Trips Birding On Whale Watch Boats Chum

Before digital photography a bird might make a swift pass by the boat leaving the lucky birders aboard who saw it to argue for years about the identification. Now the cameras  tell the story leading to the identification of birds that previously would not have had a chance at authentication.

If you want to see seabirds you need to get out on the water in a boat  away from shore.  Such trips are usually called "pelagic" trips. The word pelagic refers to the open ocean beyond the continental shelf.  Only rarely do pelagic trips actually go beyond the edge of the continental shelf.

Dedicated pelagic trips are organized by a birding group which rent the whole boat, provides the caller, uses chum and concentrate primarily on seeing birds and other marine animals.  Some birding groups organize trips on whale watch or party fishing boats where the birders are along for the ride with others. Birders have no say in where the boat goes or how long it stays in one place.   See Birding on Whale Watch Boats.

 You can also go on  a " Do It Yourself Trip" on a whale watch or party fishing boat.  This way you can pick the date and time. After  you get out there you will have no say  where the boat goes or how long it stays in one place. This site will help you by listing available whale watch boats.

Before you take your first pelagic trip, read the section on "Getting Started with Pelagic Birding" for hints to make your trip more enjoyable.