Sept. 29 Seabird Safari on MD’s Coastal Bays

Join Delmarva Birding Weekends and the OC Bay Hopper for a 90-minute birding cruise in Ocean City, MD before the Maryland Outdoor Recreation Summit kick-off!

Click here to register for your cruise. Scroll down for details.

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Cost: $45/person
Maximum # of participants: 16
Date: Tuesday, Sept. 29
Time: 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Meeting Location: boat ramp in the West Ocean City Commercial Harbor, 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.

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 and summer. Species observed may include:

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, then back to the harbor. The cruise will feature a U.S. Coast Guard-licensed captain and a Delmarva Birding guide, so you will be in good hands.  

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 and load your gear on the boat.

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 September, so you may want to visit a restroom before arriving at the dock. 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 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, Maryland’s official state cocktail!).

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 such as severe storms or strong, gusting winds, 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.