Where Do Westport Seabirds Trips Depart From and Where Do They Go?

Updated

Westport Seabirds runs all-day pelagic bird-watching trips that depart from Westport, Washington, at the mouth of Grays Harbor, and travel roughly 30 nautical miles offshore to deep-water submarine canyons on the edge of the North American continental shelf. The trips are scheduled to continue in 2026 under new management, with Todd and Ann Sawin taking over operations.

Departure Point

The trips leave from Westport, Washington, a coastal town at the mouth of Grays Harbor. This is the access point to the offshore waters the organization has been surveying since the late 1960s.

Where the Trips Go

The destination is one of several deep-water submarine canyons about 30 nautical miles from the mouth of Grays Harbor, positioned at the edge of the North American continental shelf. These canyons, together with the outer half of the shelf, concentrate marine life and are the reason the trips run so far offshore rather than staying in nearshore waters.

Why the Canyons Matter

The outer shelf and canyon environment supports a vast array of marine life, which is what makes the long run offshore worthwhile for birders:

  • Regular species include Black-footed Albatross and Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel.
  • Seasonal species include Laysan Albatross, Flesh-footed Shearwater, Short-tailed Shearwater, Buller's Shearwater, and South Polar Skua, among many other offshore species.
  • Marine mammals and other life are also targets, including whales, dolphins, porpoises, and fur seals that populate this nutrient-rich environment.

Trip Format

These are all-day pelagic bird-watching trips, so expect a full day on the water rather than a short nearshore outing. The distance to the canyons and back is a major part of why the trips run all day.

Practical Notes for 2026

  • Westport Seabirds will continue operations in 2026 with new management.
  • New booking and payment methods are being introduced on the Reservation page.
  • The 2026 schedule, along with new contact information and an automated reservation and payment system, is accessible via the "2026 Schedule" link on the site.

The 2026 season is dedicated to the memory of Scott Mills, who led over 300 trips for Westport Seabirds over 25 years.