Bustards Birding Durban Pelagic

Bustards Birding Tours

Trip Details

Departure
Wilson's Wharf, Durban Harbour, KwaZulu-Natal
Schedule
Monthly, April–October; departures at first light with return around 14:00–15:00; 8 places per trip
Price
Price on application; all profits support the Albatross Task Force

About This Trip

Bustards Birding Tours' monthly pelagic trips from Durban's Wilson's Wharf venture into the warm, biodiverse Indian Ocean waters off KwaZulu-Natal, where Southern Ocean species mix with tropical Mozambican seabirds in a remarkable confluence. Winter trips (July–August) produce the highest numbers, with Indian Yellow-nosed and Black-browed Albatrosses, White-chinned Petrels, and Sooty Shearwaters in strong numbers. Spring brings the globally rare Barau's Petrel on its pre-laying exodus from Reunion Island, along with Black-bellied Storm-petrel, Great-winged Petrel, Grey Petrel, and Flesh-footed Shearwater — a species combination found nowhere else on the South African coast.

Book This Trip Operator Website View on eBird

Related Trips

Birding Ecotours Cape Town Pelagic

Birding Ecotours

South Africa › Western Cape
  • Simon's Town, Western Cape
  • Regular scheduled dates year-round; booked over two consecutive days with best-weather departure
  • R3400 per person
View trip →

Cape Boat Charters Simon's Town Pelagic

Cape Boat Charters

South Africa › Western Cape
  • Wharf Street, Simon's Town, Western Cape
  • Selected dates year-round; full-day departures at 07:00 returning by 15:30; private charters maximum 6 passengers
  • Price on application; contact for charter rates
View trip →

Cape Town Pelagic

Cape Town Pelagics

South Africa › Western Cape
  • Cape Town Harbour, Western Cape
  • Monthly, year-round; additional summer dates November–March
  • R1500–R2500 per person
View trip →

Keep Exploring

More pelagic trips in KwaZulu-Natal → All pelagic trips in South Africa →

Before You Go

Gear checklist → Everything to pack for a day offshore. What to wear → Layers, shells and footwear for a wet deck. Best binoculars → 8x vs 10x and what matters at sea.

Further Reading

Best Pelagic Birding Trips in South Africa

A guide to South Africa's top pelagic trips, from the Benguela Current albatross runs off Cape Town to the warm-water Indian Ocean pelagics out of Durban.

Read article →

When to Go Pelagic Birding in South Africa

A seasonal guide to pelagic birding in South Africa: when albatrosses peak off Cape Town, the Eastern Cape's winter shearwater season, and Durban's spring Barau's Petrel window.

Read article →

Where to See Albatrosses on Pelagic Birding Trips

A guide to where to see albatrosses on pelagic trips worldwide, including Cape Town, where four species — Shy, Black-browed, Indian Yellow-nosed, and Atlantic Yellow-nosed — are near-guaranteed year-round on the Cape Town, Hout Bay, and Birding Ecotours pelagics.

Read article →

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does the Bustards Birding Durban Pelagic depart from?

The Bustards Birding Durban Pelagic departs from Wilson's Wharf, Durban Harbour, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

When does the Bustards Birding Durban Pelagic run?

Monthly, April–October; departures at first light with return around 14:00–15:00; 8 places per trip

How much does the Bustards Birding Durban Pelagic cost?

Price on application; all profits support the Albatross Task Force.

Who operates the Bustards Birding Durban Pelagic?

The Bustards Birding Durban Pelagic is operated by Bustards Birding Tours.

How do I book the Bustards Birding Durban Pelagic?

You can book the Bustards Birding Durban Pelagic directly through Bustards Birding Tours using the operator link on this page to check availability and reserve a seat.