2026 Daytime Pelagic and Marsh Cruise Program
Join us on summer daytime pelagic trips and marsh cruises this summer. Note that these popular trips regularly sell out. Once sold out we will keep a waitlist in the event that anyone cancels.
Daytime Pelagic Trips
The BBC has reserved a limited block of discounted group tickets on these public tours. These trips are open to all.
- 7 Seas Whale Watch Cruise, Gloucester – Friday, July 17
- 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
- Meet at dock by 7:45 AM
- Meeting Location: 63 Rodgers Street, Gloucester
- Group ticket: $45
- More Info about the Trip and Register Here
- Captain John’s Whale Watch Cruise, Plymouth – Thursday, August 27
- Cosponsored with the South Shore Bird Club
- 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- Meet at dock by 1:30 PM
- Meeting Location: 10 Town Wharf, Plymouth
- Group ticket: $57
- More Info about the Trip and Register Here
Please watch for a repeat of our popular late fall trips from Gloucester and Hyannis in our newsletter announcements.
Marsh Cruises
Based on the immense popularity of these trips last summer, we are planning 3 trips through the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge and one NEW trip through the Essex River Marsh! All of these popular trips sell out quickly, and we keep waitlists in the event of cancellations.
Parker River Marsh Cruises
Explore Parker River National Wildlife Refuge from a new perspective on a cruise through the Parker River marshes! Join us on the Yankee Clipper docked in Newburyport Harbor for a leisurely cruise through the Refuge. Enjoy close views of shorebirds, gulls, terns, and Saltmarsh Sparrows on this tour. Group discount tickets are available by registering on the BBC website no later than July 15; seating is limited. Confirmation and additional information will be provided to registrants.
Meeting location for all trips: Yankee Clipper, Waterfront Promenade Park, Merrimac Street, Newburyport.
- Saturday, August 8
- 7:15 AM – 9:45 AM
- Meet by 6:45 AM for boarding
- More Info about the Trip and Register Here
- Wednesday, August 19
- 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
- Meet by 4:30 PM for boarding
- More Info about the Trip and Register Here
- Monday, August 24
- 8:00 AM – 10:30 AM
- Meet by 7:30 AM for boarding
- More Info about the Trip and Register Here
Essex River Marsh Cruise
This narrated cruise is scenic, relaxing, and educational. Join us for a cruise along the Essex River as we glide past islands, historic mansions, wildlife, and stunning scenery. The marsh itself is part of the Essex River estuary, which serves as the feeding ground for many species of beautiful birds and abundant wildlife. Group discount tickets are available by registering on the BBC website no later than July 15; seating is limited. Confirmation and additional information will be provided to registrants.
- Tuesday, August 11
- 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Meet by 4:30 PM for boarding
- Meeting Location: Essex River Cruises, 35 Dodge St, Essex, MA
- Group Ticket: $38
- Free parking available onsite.
- More Info about the Trip and Register Here
Overnight Pelagic Trips from Hyannis
Our overnight pelagic trips from Hyannis, MA to Hydrographer Canyon on August 22 – 23 and August 24 – 25 are still accepting names for the waitlist. Learn more here.
Seabird Webinar
On August 6 join us for a seabird webinar A Forgotten Kinship presented by Dr. Sea McKeon, Marine Program Director at the American Bird Conservancy. Registration details will be added here when available.
News Categories
Upcoming Field Trips
Field Trips / Events
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Forest Beach Conservation Area
Chatham - Forest Beach 375-331 Forest Beach Rd, South Chatham, MA, United StatesCo-sponored with Cape Cod Bird Club. We’ll walk the marsh trail to where it meets Mill Creek and return via the beach, less than a mile round trip. We’ll then head towards the overlook where we’ll likely view herons, egrets, shorebirds, passerines, gulls, osprey and Northern Harrier. This is another area with mixed habitat, a
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Squantum – Quincy
Quincy - Squantum - Moswetuset Hummock Quincy, MA, United StatesWe'll check the marshes and the mudflats in Squantum for shorebirds, starting at Moswetuset Hummock and visiting other spots nearby. We'll try checking the high tide roosts for shorebirds as well. Be prepared for the possibility of biting insects. Cosponsored with South Shore Bird Club.
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Parker River Marsh Cruise
Newburyport - Yankee Clipper Tours Waterfront Promenade Park, 36 Merrimac Street, Newburyport, MA, United StatesExplore Parker River National Wildlife Refuge from a new perspective on a cruise through the Parker River marshes! Join us on the Yankee Clipper docked in Newburyport Harbor for a leisurely cruise through the Refuge. Enjoy close views of shorebirds, gulls, terns, and Saltmarsh Sparrows on this tour. Group discount tickets are available by registering
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Millennium Park
Boston - Millennium Park Canoe Launch 300 Gardner Street, Boston, MA, United StatesJoint with Mass Audubon BNC. Join us to observe resident birds and fall migrants in a unique urban habitat that is a favorite for many bird species, including uncommon and rare birds. Birders of all levels will enjoy this walk. The trails are (generally) flat though there are some hills. A water bottle, water proof
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Shorebirds at Winthrop Beach with Soheil Zendeh
Winthrop - DCR Winthrop Beach Reservation - Sturgis St 59 Winthrop Shore Drive, Winthrop, MA, United StatesWe are happy to offer this shorebirding field trip at Winthrop Beach led by Soheil Zendeh. Shorebirding beginners welcome. We meet at the corner of Winthrop Shore Drive and Sturgis St in Winthrop. A scope will probably be useful if you have one. Definitely bring binoculars. Meeting at 9 am, timed with the tide. Soheil






