HALF MOON BAY PELAGIC TRIPS with SHEARWATER JOURNEYS

HALF MOON BAY ROCKS with SEABIRDS & MARINE MAMMALS

Shearwater Journeys first offered pelagic seabirding trips departing from Half Moon Bay in 1999. These trips have proved to be very exciting. 

The harbor, alone can be so full of birds that it almost warrants several hours of birding! Below, is a small portion of a flock of more than a thousand ELEGANT TERNS on the jetty. 

Typically, we see both PIGEON GUILLEMOTS, above and BLACK OYSTERCATCHERS, below, in the harbor. Both species nest on the breakwaters. 

Just outside of the harbor, we search for the Federally Endangered, MARBLED MURRELET, below. In this area, we once found a YELLOW-BILLED LOON.

Heading out to the edge of the Continental Shelf, we pass a weather buoy where both CALIFORNIA and STELLER'S SEA LIONS hang out. The Steller's Sea Lion can easily be told by its rough call!

 

 The edge of the Continental Shelf is drops off and there is often food in this area. We almost always encounter our first BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS, below, there. 

Late July and early August trips often find LAYSAN ALBATROSS, below. This albatross is not common in our area. Most of the individuals that we see come from the breeding colonies in Mexico. We know this from numbered leg bands that we photograph. 

 From the shelf edge, we head to the steep canyon walls of the PIONEER CANYON where we often find rafts of storm-petrels, including this single, FORK-TAILED STORM-PETREL. Other storm-petrels we have found include: ASHY, BLACK, WILSON'S and LEACH'S. Any number of mega-rare seabirds could be found in this region, including: Short-tailed Albatross, Cook's and Hawaiian, Great-winged and Parkinson's Petrels. 

 The proximity of the Farallon Islands, which we can sometimes see on a clear day, means that we find TUFTED PUFFINS somewhat regularly on these trips. 

Cutting back and crossing the shelf, again, we often find flocks of shearwaters. The flock below contains three species of SHEARWATERS: BULLER'S, PINK-FOOTED, and one GREAT (at the lowest edge of the image)! 

 

Flocks such as these often hold rarities, such as the GREAT SHEARWATER, above, and the infrequently seen FLESH-FOOTED SHEARWATER, below. 

On calm, beautiful days with many seabirds, we often come in later than expected, watching a gorgeously sublime sunset. 

Returning to the outer harbor. 

 Half Moon Bay Harbor, below, at the end of an incredibly beautiful day. 

 Our trips from Half Moon Bay can easily be combined with trips from Monterey Bay. It is always a good idea to back up your trip from Half Moon Bay with at least one other trip, either from Monterey of another Half Moon Bay trip. Unlike Monterey, Half Moon Bay is not sheltered from the prevailing northwest winds, and these trips can and have, been weathered out. Fall, August through October, experiences the best marine weather, though. Over the past 38 years, only one fall trip from Monterey has been weathered out.

2014 HALF MOON BAY TRIPS

with 

SHEARWATER JOURNEYS

JUL. 20, SUN.

JUL. 26, SAT.

AUG. 2, SAT.

AUG. 16, SAT.

AUG. 17, SUN.

AUG. 23, SAT.

SEP. 7, SUN.

SEP. 8, MON.

SEP. 15, MON.

SEP. 21, SUN.

SEP. 24, WED.

OCT. 5, SUN.

OCT. 11, SUN. 

DETAILS FOR HALF MOON BAY TRIPS

DEPARTURE: 7 a.m. SHARP. Meet Debi and check in at H Dock, Johnson Pier at Pillar Point Harbor on Half Moon Bay, El Granada. Location here.

RETURN: We should return between 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., but some trips stay out as long at 6:30 p.m. Plan accordingly. 

PARKING: is free in the lot near the dock. Do NOT park in the spaces labeled "two hour" parking. Allow about 10 minutes to park and walk to the dock. There is a restroom in the parking lot. 

PRICE ADJUSTMENT: If prices increase, there could be an adjustment at the dockside of $5- 10/person. This is payable only in cash. Unless something weird happens, this is unlikely. 

FOOD & DRINKS: Please bring all food and drinks, including water. Dress warmly with waterproof outer layers. This is a non-smoking trip.

MOTELS: It is possible to arrive and find all motels fully booked. This is a serious situation, because it means you will have to drive at least 30 - 60 minutes to find a room! As anywhere along the California coast, motel rooms can be quite expensive. Booking ahead can save you money. Local motels in the area include: COMFORT INN (where I have stayed often and found to be quite good. Booking ahead, can save money, but is non-refundable). HARBOR VIEW INN is another possibility. The COASTSIDE INN has better rates, but the WiFi does now work well (or at all, sometimes). Under NO circumstances should you book America's Best Value Inn, as they have BED BUGS and you will take them home with you! If you really want the cheapest option, check out the MOTEL 6 in Belmont. Tricky on and off ramps from Highway 101. Allow yourself at least 45 minutes to get to the dock from here, more time, if you don't know where you are going and plan to stop for grab n'go breakfast. Highway 92 is a winding, two lane road often enshrouded in fog, into Half Moon Bay from Highway 101. Take care.
RATE: $196

TRIP REPORT: JUL. 27, 2013: DON'T KISS THE WHALES
TRIP REPORT: AUG. 25, 2013: A SEA OF SPLENDORS
TRIP REPORT: SEP. 22, 2013
TRIP REPORT: JUL. 28 & 29, 2012: DIAMONDS & RUST
TRIP REPORT: SEP. 23, 2012: TAKING YOU PLACES
TRIP REPORT: OCT. 28, 2012
IMAGES OF THE DAY: OCT. 28, 2012 BY SOPHIE WEBB
TRIP REPORT: JUL. 30, 2011
TRIP REPORT: SEP. 17, 2011: GREAT-WINGED PETREL
TRIP REPORT: OCT. 2, 2011
TRIP REPORT: NOV. 22, 2011
TRIP REPORT: JUL. 31, 2010
TRIP REPORT: SEP. 13, 2010
TRIP REPORT: SEP. 17, 2010

SEE YOU OUT THERE!

SHEARWATERS FOREVER,

Debi Shearwater

Images in the blog post, copyright by:

ABE BORKER

TODD MCGRATH

MARK RAUZON

STEVE ROTTENBORN

DEBI SHEARWATER

HALF MOON BAY PELAGIC TRIPS

Howdy, Seabirders,

Once again, Shearwater Journeys is pleased of offer a wonderful selection of pelagic trips departing from Half Moon Bay for 2013. Half Moon Bay is within easy reach for birders traveling from San Francisco, San Jose and the East Bay areas. Shearwater Journeys first offered pelagic trips from this port in 1999. However, it has only been in recent years that regular trips with dependable boat operators  have been organized. I'm happy to say that for 2013 all of our charters will be with Dennis Baxter on the New Captain Pete, except for the November 16th departure which will be with Tom Mattusch on the Huli Cat (both vessels depart from the same location). As with all of our trips, friendly expert leaders will be on board to point out birds. We will be chumming.

In the few years that pelagic trips have operated from this port, quite a number of mega-rare seabirds have been sighted. These include: YELLOW-BILLED LOON; SHORT-TAILED and LAYSAN ALBATROSSES; GREAT-WINGED, COOK'S, HAWAIIAN and PARKINSON'S PETRELS: GREAT and MANX SHEARWATERS. On some trips, huge rafts of mixed species of storm-petrels have been observed. These have included: ASHY, BLACK, WILSON'S, FORK-TAILED and LEACH'S STORM-PETRELS. On all of our trips. we search the nearshore waters for the federally endangered MARBLED MURRELET which is not usually found on departures from any other ports, including Monterey.

Trips from Half Moon Bay can easily be combined with trips from Monterey. Trips from Half Moon Bay should be backed up with a second trip, in case your trip is weathered out. Unlike the half-moon shaped Monterey Bay, Half Moon Bay is not protected from the prevailing northwest winds. Although fall (August through October) experiences the best marine weather, trips departing from Half Moon Bay and Bodega Bay can be weathered out at any time of the year. Over the past 38 years, only one fall trip from Monterey has been weathered out, however. Back up your trip by reserving a second trip!

2013 HALF MOON BAY PELAGIC TRIPS WITH SHEARWATER JOURNEYS

JUL. 27, SAT. COOK'S PETREL EXPRESS
JUL. 28, SUN. COOK'S PETREL EXPRESS
AUG. 11, SUN. COOK'S & HAWAIIAN PETREL EXPRESS
AUG. 17, SAT. COOK'S & HAWAIIAN PETREL EXPRESS
AUG. 18, SUN. COOK'S & HAWAIIAN PETREL EXPRESS
AUG. 25, SUN. COOK'S & HAWAIIAN PETREL EXPRESS
SEP. 8, SUN. ALBATROSSES, PETRELS & STORM-PETRELS
SEP. 9, MON. ALBATROSSES, PETRELS & STORM-PETRELS
SEP. 16, SUN. ALBATROSSES & STORM-PETRELS
SEP. 28, SAT. ALBATROSSES & STORM-PETRELS
SEP. 29, SUN. ALBATROSSES & STORM-PETRELS
OCT. 6, SUN. ALBATROSSES & STORM-PETRELS
OCT. 27, SUN. LATE FALL & EARLY WINTER SEABIRDS
NOV. 16, SAT. LATE FALL & EARLY WINTER SEABIRDS

DETAILS FOR HALF MOON BAY TRIPS:
DEPARTURE:  7 A.M. SHARP, meet Debi and check in at H Dock, Johnson Pier at Pillar Point Harbor on Half Moon Bay, El Granada. Location here.
RETURN: We should return about 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Allow for delays of up to several hours.
PARKING is free in the lot near the dock. Do NOT park in the spaces labeled "two hour" parking. Allow yourself about 10 minutes to park and walk to the dock.
PRICE ADJUSTMENT: All rates quoted are 2012 rates. A price adjustment may be collected at the dock of $5 - 10 per person. This is payable only in cash.
MICROWAVE is available on board for your convenience. Bring all food and drinks.
Take seasick prevention medications. Dress warmly with waterproof outer layers. This is a non-smoking trip.
MOTELS: It is possible to arrive and find all motels fully booked. Best to book in advance. As anywhere along the California coast, motel rooms can be quite expensive. Local motels in the area include: COMFORT INN (Where I have stayed often and found to be quite good. Early booking on their web site results in a lower rate, although it is non-refundable); HARBOR VIEW INN is low priced and possibly within walking distance of the dock. Check it out. Under no circumstances should you book: American's Best Value Inn because they have bed bugs! If you really want something cheap,  check out the MOTEL 6 in Belmont. Tricky on and off ramps from Highway 101. Allow yourself at least 45 minutes to drive from the motel to the dock, more time, if you plan to stop for food or you do not know exactly where the dock is located! Get directions to get there from Google Maps. Highway 92 is a winding two lane road that is often enshrouded in fog. Take care.

Hope to see you out there!
Shearwaters forever,
Debi

TRIP REPORT: 24 OCTOBER 2009 HALF MOON BAY

Howdy, Seabirders,

Shearwater Journeys' unscheduled pelagic trip from Half Moon Bay today was, unfortunately, weathered out. A hearty, sold out, boat load of throughly prepared seabirders departed from Huck Finn Sportfishing Center, www.huckfinnsportfishing.com, in Half Moon Bay, attempting to make it to the Continental Shelf. The weather deteriorated rapidly, while the forecast was updated to include winds up to 30 knots. Six miles offshore, we aborted the day. I would like to thank the folks who took a chance, and showed up for this special charter with Captain Dennis Baxter. Our captain did a great job, but sometimes weather conditions make it impossible to conduct a trip.

Please stay tuned for more trips with Captain Baxter on the New Captain Pete in 2010. We look forward to working with him next year!

Shearwaters forever,

Debi Shearwater