BALTIMORE WILDLIFE FIELD GUIDE
Seventy Miles Out: A Day Chasing Storm‑Petrels and Shearwaters off Baltimore
A 16‑hour offshore expedition 70–75 miles into Maryland waters to seek rare pelagics and marine megafauna — this guide prepares you for the species, the sea, and the long day ahead.
Seventy Miles Out: A Day Chasing Storm‑Petrels and Shearwaters off Baltimore.
Embark on an exhilarating offshore birding adventure from Baltimore that pushes well beyond the familiar coastline into deepwater pelagic habitat 70–75 miles out, where storm‑petrels, shearwaters and other warm‑water specialists can appear amid a cast of dolphins, whales and ocean sunfish.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Storm‑petrels, Shearwaters and Other Pelagic Rarities
The trip concentrates on deep‑water, warm‑water specialties — Wilson’s, Band‑rumped and Leach’s storm‑petrels, Great and Cory’s shearwaters, and other rarities such as Audubon’s shearwater, Manx shearwater and occasional Pterodroma petrels; White‑faced Storm‑Petrel is a primary target though it requires luck.
Dolphins, Whales and Ocean Sunfish
Beyond birds, the offshore grounds frequently produce cetaceans — from bottlenose dolphins to short‑finned pilot whales, Cuvier’s beaked whales, fin and humpback whales — plus ocean sunfish and sea turtles, adding a marine‑mammal dimension to the birding.
A Long, Unpredictable Day on the Continental Shelf
This is pelagic work at the shelf edge and beyond — 70–75 miles offshore — where the seas are changeable and each outing can bring an unpredictable assemblage of species and unforgettable moments.
What the day feels like
What the Day Feels Like
Expect a full, 16‑hour offshore effort that moves deliberately toward the continental shelf and beyond to put observers where deep‑water and warm‑water species occur; sightings are variable but the mix of storm‑petrels, shearwaters and marine megafauna often makes for a high‑reward, hard‑earned day at sea.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this trip suits — and who should think twice.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
This is a long, single‑day offshore outing; the advertised effort for this expedition is a 16‑hour offshore birding trip.
The expedition operates from Baltimore, making an extended run into Maryland deep‑water and shelf habitats.
Operators typically advise preparing for a long day at sea; confirm specific gear and clothing recommendations with The Ocean Princess prior to departure.
Target species include storm‑petrels and shearwaters; cetaceans, ocean sunfish and sea turtles are also possible but sightings vary.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How far offshore does this trip go?
The trip works 70–75 miles offshore into Maryland waters, operating at the continental shelf edge and beyond.
How long is the outing?
This is a 16‑hour offshore birding trip.
What bird species are primary targets?
Primary targets include storm‑petrels and shearwaters — Wilson’s, Band‑rumped, Leach’s, Great and Cory’s shearwaters and other warm‑water specialties; White‑faced Storm‑Petrel is a key target but can be unpredictable.
Will we see whales or dolphins?
Cetaceans such as bottlenose dolphins, short‑finned pilot whales, Cuvier’s beaked whale, fin and humpback whales are possible and are part of the variety of marine life observers may encounter.
How predictable are sightings?
Sightings are variable; the seas are changeable and each trip can yield a different mix of birds and marine species — sometimes rare finds appear, other times the day offers a more modest roster.