SoCalBirding.com

This 13-hour trip departs from the Santa Barbara Harbor on the Condor Express.  Board at 6:30 a.m.  Boat departs at 7:00 a.m. and returns approx 8:00 p.m.  We will cruise along the deep water shelf by the San Juan Seamount.  Birds to be expected: Black-footed Albatross, Northern Fulmar; Sooty and Pink-footed Shearwaters; Black, Ashy, and Leach’s Storm-Petrels; South Polar Skua; Pomarine Jaeger; Pigeon Guillemot; Common Murre; Xantus's Murrelets.

Uncommon species or rarities to be looked for: Cook's Petrel (136 seen July 25, 2009 -- 202 seen July 31, 2010 on this trip) and Red-billed Tropicbird.   Todd McGrath's hoped for rarities include  Hawaiian Petrel and Tristam's Storm-Petrel.   Our July 2007 trip found a Tristam's Storm-petrel, highlighting the opportunity for rarities that exist at this time of year.

This is also an excellent time to study various subspecies of Leach's Storm-Petrel, including the summer breeders from Guadalupe Island, which are a good candidate for a split. The southern race of Xantus's Murrelet as well as Craveri's Murrelet are possible on this trip.

2009 trip Highlights include Red-billed Tropicbird, Wilson's Storm-Petrel, 178 Leach's Storm-Petrels, 4 Blue Whales and 4 Humpback Whales.  In 2010 we enjoyed 185 Leach's and 63 Ashy Storm-Petrels, Sabine's Gulls and Arctic Terns and 7 Long-tailed Jaegers as well as 498 Sooty Shearwaters  200 Pink-footeds and a Buller's.

2009 Trip Report.      2010 Trip Report and Video

RESERVATIONS:  Reservations are $195.  Call  Condor Cruises (805) 882-0088 for reservations and trip status.  

IMPORTANT DETAILS:   Click for important logistic information about the Condor Express, Santa Barbara landing, driving directions, maps, lodging, weather, refund and cancellation policies, on-board facilities, meals and snacks.

HOW TO PREPARE:  tips on how to prepare, what to wear, what to bring and when to arrive.

LEADERS:  Experienced SoCal pelagic bird spotters, guides and leaders will be on board to identify and point out marine mammals and seabirds.

CANCELLATION POLICY:  Trips on this website are sponsored by different organizations using different boats departing from different landings and harbors.  As such, policies vary from trip to trip.  This trip is subject to the policies of Condor Cruises (805) 882-0088.   When registering, please familiarize yourself regarding their reservation, cancellation, refund and substitution policies as well as reviewing driving directions, check-in times, procedures and equipment allowed on the boats.