WESTPORT GUIDED TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Deep Water Canyon: An All‑Day Pelagic Expedition off Westport’s Continental Shelf
A full‑day (9‑hour) guided pelagic birdwatching trip run by Westport Seabirds that visits deep submarine canyons where albatrosses, shearwaters, jaegers and an array of marine mammals congregate.
Deep Water Canyon: An All‑Day Pelagic Expedition off Westport’s Continental Shelf.
From Westport you head offshore to deep submarine canyons on the edge of the North American continental shelf, an oceanic upwelling that supports huge concentrations of seabirds and marine mammals; these all‑day pelagic trips target albatrosses, shearwaters, skuas and an assortment of whales, dolphins and seals in a nutrient‑rich environment.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Deep submarine canyons on the shelf edge
Trips run to one of several deep water submarine canyons about 30 nautical miles from the mouth of Grays Harbor, at the outer half of the continental shelf where upwelling concentrates marine life.
Pelagic specialists—albatrosses, shearwaters and storm‑petrels
Regular species include Black‑footed Albatross, Fork‑tailed Storm‑Petrel and a suite of shearwaters; seasonal visitors can include Laysan and Flesh‑footed Albatrosses, Buller’s and Short‑tailed Shearwaters, and South Polar Skua among others.
Whales, dolphins and seals alongside the seabirds
The nutrient‑rich canyon habitat also draws humpbacks, gray whales, porpoises and several dolphin species, plus California and Steller’s sea lions and fur seals—marine mammals commonly encountered on these trips.
What the day feels like
What the day feels like
This is an all‑day pelagic birdwatching expedition: a long transit from Westport to canyon edges on the shelf where you spend hours watching for wide‑ranging albatrosses, concentrations of shearwaters and petrels, skuas and jaegers, and scanning for whales, dolphins and pinnipeds in a biologically rich open‑ocean setting.
THE ROUTE
Deep submarine canyons on the shelf edge
Trips run to one of several deep water submarine canyons about 30 nautical miles from the mouth of Grays Harbor, at the outer half of the continental shelf where upwelling concentrates marine life.
THE BIRDS
Pelagic specialists—albatrosses, shearwaters and storm‑petrels
Regular species include Black‑footed Albatross, Fork‑tailed Storm‑Petrel and a suite of shearwaters; seasonal visitors can include Laysan and Flesh‑footed Albatrosses, Buller’s and Short‑tailed Shearwaters, and South Polar Skua among others.
THE MARINE LIFE
Whales, dolphins and seals alongside the seabirds
The nutrient‑rich canyon habitat also draws humpbacks, gray whales, porpoises and several dolphin species, plus California and Steller’s sea lions and fur seals—marine mammals commonly encountered on these trips.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this trip suits—and who should plan otherwise.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Many of the species listed are expected on April–October trips; several species have narrower seasonal windows (e.g., Flesh‑footed Shearwater in May and late Sep–Oct, Buller’s Shearwater late Aug–Oct, Short‑tailed Shearwater Jan–Apr and late Sep–Oct, Leach’s Storm‑Petrel June–early Aug, South Polar Skua Aug–Oct).
No specific gear list is provided in the source material; consult Westport Seabirds for their recommended clothing and equipment.
Meet at 2455 Westhaven Dr, Westport, WA 98595; the outing is a 9‑hour full‑day trip.
This trip is operated by Westport Seabirds out of Westport, Washington.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the Deep Water Canyon trip?
The outing is a full‑day trip with a duration of 9 hours.
Where do I meet for departure?
The meeting location is 2455 Westhaven Dr, Westport, WA 98595.
Are children allowed on the trip?
Yes; however, ages 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
What bird species can I expect to see?
Regular April–October species include Black‑footed Albatross, Northern Fulmar, Sooty and Pink‑footed Shearwaters, Fork‑tailed Storm‑Petrel, phalaropes, jaegers, several gulls and alcids; additional seasonal and less frequent pelagic species are listed in the itinerary.
Will we see whales or dolphins?
Yes; humpback whales, California gray whales, harbor and Dall’s porpoises, Pacific white‑sided dolphins and several pinniped species are among the marine mammals commonly encountered.
How far offshore do trips go?
Trips go to deep submarine canyons approximately 30 nautical miles from the mouth of Grays Harbor, on the outer edge of the continental shelf.