2025 Sunset Seabird Safaris

Royal Tern, Black Skimmers and Piping Plover. Photos courtesy of Dr. Frode Jacobsen.

2025 tours begin on May 22!

Cost is $60/person. We need a minimum of four participants to run each cruise. We will open registration for each trip when we reach our minimum.

Scroll down for more information about these birdy boat trips. We’ll be adding more dates soon. We hope to see you this spring and summer for a Sunset Seabird Safari!

Thursday, May 22, 6:15 – 7:15 pm (sunset is 8:11 pm)
We need 4 participants to run this trip.

If you are interested in the May 22 trip, please email dmvbirds@gmail.com with your name and the number of people in your party.

Tuesday, June 17, 6:30 – 7:30 pm (sunset is 8:26 pm)
We need 4 participants to run this trip.

If you are interested in the June 17 trip, please email dmvbirds@gmail.com with your name and the number of people in your party.

Tuesday, July 15, 6:30 – 7:30 pm (sunset is 8:23 pm)
We need 4 participants to run this trip.

If you are interested in the July 15 trip, please email dmvbirds@gmail.com with your name and the number of people in your party.

Check out the eBird checklists from our 2024 tours:

  • eBird checklist (39 species) from the May 18, 2024 tour with DBW Guide Russ Kovach.
  • eBird checklist (39 species) from the June 11, 2024 tour with DBW Guide Jonathan Irons.
  • eBird checklist (37 species) from the July 9, 2024 tour with DBW Guide Jonathan Irons.
  • eBird checklist (35 species) from the July 23, 2024 tour with DBW Guide Kim Abplanalp.
  • eBird checklist (35 species) from the August 6, 2024 tour with DBW Guide Kim Abplanalp.
  • eBird checklist (41 species) from the August 20, 2024 tour with DBW Guide Kim Abplanalp.
  • eBird checklist (33 species) from the September 3, 2024 tour with DBW Guide Scott Housten.
  • eBird checklist (35 species) from the October 15, 2024 tour with DBW Guide Jonathan Irons.
  • eBird checklist (37 species) from the October 29, 2024 tour with DBW Guide Jonathan Irons.

Tour Description

You won’t believe the variety of birds that inhabit the coastal bays behind Assateague Island and Ocean City! Many migratory species make their way here to nest and raise their young near our coastal waters each spring. Spring and summer species may include:

  • Royal Tern
  • Forster’s Tern
  • Common Tern
  • Black Skimmer
  • Brown Pelican
  • Piping Plover
  • Osprey
  • Tricolored Heron
  • Snowy Egret
  • White Ibis
  • American Oystercatcher
  • Willet
White Ibis. Photo courtesy of Frode Jacobsen.

We’re teaming up with the OC Bay Hopper to run Sunset Seabird Safaris from May through September. The cost for the two-hour cruise is $60/person. Guests can register individually or in groups. We need a minimum of four participants to run a tour. Our maximum number of participants is 16. Tours are mostly offered on weekday evenings.

We’ll investigate the bayside docks in Ocean City from M.R. Duck’s south to the inlet (there are often good birds hiding out there!), then we’ll cruise by the Assateague jetty. From there, we’ll explore the bayside of Assateague Island south towards Castaways campground, then back to the harbor. The cruise will feature a U.S. Coast Guard-licensed captain and a DBW Guide, so you will be in good hands.  

The OC Bay Hopper has a liquor license and cold adult beverages are available for purchase. Cold water is also available.

Getting there, parking and restrooms:

The pickup location is the West Ocean City Boat Ramp, located on Sunset Avenue. There is no specific street address for the boat ramp, so please use these GPS coordinates: 38.3275, -75.10681. If you have a smartphone, you should be able to copy & paste these coordinates into the “search” section on your preferred maps app. For reference, the boat ramp is located on Sunset Avenue 1/4-mile before you reach The Shark on the Harbor restaurant, which is located at 12924 Sunset Ave, Ocean City, MD 21842.

Park in the large public parking lot, but please park in a short space designated for a single vehicle. Try to avoid parking in a long space designated for a vehicle and boat trailer. Arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled trip departs to park, load your gear on the boat, and use the public restroom.

There is no head/toilet on the OC Bay Hopper, so please use a restroom prior to departure. Please note that the public restroom next to the boat ramp may be closed in late fall/early winter. Scroll down or click here for a Google Map that shows the pickup location, parking and public restrooms near the West Ocean City Boat Ramp.

There are a number of great nearby restaurants and bars to visit before and after your tour, including The Shark on the Harbor, Sunset Grille, and the world-famous Harborside Bar & Grill (home of the original fresh-squeezed Orange Crush!).

Trips may be canceled in the event of strong, gusting winds or dangerous weather. If a trip is canceled, you will be notified via email 24 hours prior to the trip departure. Full refunds will be provided within 15 days.

Zoom in on the Google Map with our meeting location and approximate boating route:

Some common sense approaches to make your birding boat trip more enjoyable:

  • The OC Bay Hopper is not enclosed. Wear appropriate clothing and shoes for the weather! Temps on the water are often cooler than land, even during the summer months.
  • There is no “head” on the boat, so please visit a restroom before the trip departs.
  • Carry sunscreen, sunglasses and/or a hat to protect yourself from the sun.
  • Bring rain gear as all events are rain or shine.
  • Try to arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled trip departs.
  • If you are prone to seasickness, you may want to consider Dramamine or Bonine (both are sold over-the-counter), or whatever natural preventative you prefer. Please don’t wait until you’re on the boat to take your medication. Follow the instructions to make sure you have a great experience birding and boating on Maryland’s coastal bays.
  • Be courteous to your fellow birders. Speak quietly and turn off cell phones during trips.
  • Please do your best to not block the view for others on the boat.

Please note:

  • Cancellations are accepted if you inform us two weeks (or earlier) before your trip departs. For a further explanation of our refund policy, please click here.
  • Trips will go rain or shine, unless torrential rains prevent us from viewing wildlife.
  • If the trip is canceled due to dangerous conditions, we will notify you via email. Please note that the email will be sent to all participants BCC, so you may need to check your email spam folder. A full refund will be provided within 15 days.