What Is Westport Seabirds?

Updated

Westport Seabirds is a pelagic bird-watching operator that runs all-day offshore trips from Westport, Washington, out to deep-water submarine canyons roughly 30 nautical miles from the mouth of Grays Harbor, on the edge of the North American continental shelf. It suits birders and wildlife watchers who want a full day on the open ocean targeting albatrosses, shearwaters, storm-petrels, and skuas, with a reasonable chance of encountering marine mammals as well. The operation will continue in 2026 under new management, Todd and Ann Sawin, with new booking and payment methods on the Reservation page.

What the trips involve

Trips are all-day pelagic outings to one of several deep-water submarine canyons. The outer half of the continental shelf and the canyons support a vast array of marine life, which is what draws the birds. The site describes the target list as:

  • Regular species — Black-footed Albatross and Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel
  • Seasonal species — Laysan Albatross; Flesh-footed, Short-tailed, and Buller's Shearwaters; South Polar Skua
  • Other offshore species — the site notes "many other offshore species" beyond those named
  • Marine mammals — whales, dolphins, porpoises, and fur seals

Because several of the headline species are seasonal, what you see depends heavily on when you go. The 2026 schedule is the place to match a date to the species you're hoping for.

Why its records matter

Westport Seabirds traces its origins to Terry Wahl, who initiated trips offshore to Grays Canyon in September 1966 and began systematic censusing in September 1971 — work the site says continues through the present. According to the site, these trips have produced the longest running database of birds counted at sea in the world. For birders, that history is part of the appeal: the trips aren't just a boat ride, they're a continuation of a long-term survey effort.

2026 season and booking

The 2026 season is dedicated to the memory of Scott Mills, a colleague who led over 300 trips for Westport Seabirds across 25 years and who, in the site's words, paired his passion for the open ocean with a strong desire to educate others about what they saw. Phil and Chris Anderson, who were part of Westport Seabirds for 40 years, stepped away after the 2025 season.

If you want to go, the practical path is:

  1. Open the 2026 Schedule page (linked on the left-hand side of the homepage) to see dates and the new contact information.
  2. Use the Reservation page for the new automated reservation and payment system.
  3. Check the schedule against the seasonal species you most want to see before committing to a date.

The site does not publish prices in the material available here, so treat cost and payment specifics as something to confirm through the reservation system rather than assume.

Who it's for

These trips fit you if you're comfortable spending a full day offshore and your main goal is seabirds rather than a general sightseeing cruise. They're a poorer fit if you want a short harbor trip, a guaranteed species list, or a land-based outing — the canyons are 30 nautical miles out, and the wildlife is wild.