11 Apr 2026 - 21 Apr 2026 (11 days)
USD10,400 - Spaces Available
Tour Leader: Adam Walleyn
Tour Leader: Local Leader
Pricing notes : *Prices & dates estimated and are expected to change* *Special prices vary depending on when an enquiry is made, and the spaces available at time of booking.* **A Rockjumper leader will not accompany the expedition unless a minimum number of participants are signed up through Rockjumper. In the case that a Rockjumper leader is not on board, the professional expedition staff will take care of all participants signed up through Rockjumper.**
Tour price (Per person): USD10,400 * GBP7,958 * EUR9,502 * AUD15,414
Single Supplement: USD9,995 * GBP7,648 * EUR9,132 * AUD14,814
Far off the west coast of Mexico lie Guadalupe and Socorro Islands. Even the names are unfamiliar to most people, and they are some the most rarely visited islands in the world. This unique voyage will visit the waters around them in search of the rare and endangered seabirds that breed only here and will offer one of the first ever chances to search out Townsend’s Shearwater, Townsend’s Storm Petrel, Ainley’s Storm Petrel and Guadalupe Murrelet. Many other interesting seabirds’ nest on these islands or feed in their offshore waters and we also hope to see Laysan Albatross, Scripp’s, and Craveri’s Murrelet, Ashy, Black and Least Storm Petrels, Black-vented Shearwater and many more besides. We should also see a range of other pelagic species including several whales and dolphins, the near endemic Guadalupe Fur Seal, and with luck, various sharks, turtles, and other marine life.
The islands of Guadalupe and Socorro also hold four endemic land bird species between them: Guadalupe Junco, Socorro Parakeet, Socorro Mockingbird and Socorro Wren. Permits are almost never issued to land ashore on the island, but we will be making every effort to obtain permits to seek out these species. If we are not able to land, we should be able to observe Socorro Wrens from skiff rides offshore.
The trip will be led by Adam Walleyn and Eric Antonio Martinez. Adam is one of the world’s most experienced seabirders and has extensive experience with almost all the world’s seabirds and marine mammals during over 1 000 days spent at sea. Eric is one of Mexico’s leading birders and has spent decades guiding birders to every corner of the country. The trip will be operated on the most comfortable vessel that visits these waters with a captain and crew that have made several previous visits.
Townsend’s Shearwater; Townsend’s & Ainley’s Storm Petrels; Guadalupe Murrelet; Socorro Wren; Laysan Albatross; Scripp’s & Craveri’s Murrelets; Ashy, Black, Leach’s, Wedge-rumped & Least Storm Petrels; Black-vented & Wedge-tailed Shearwaters; Cassin’s Auklet; Nazca, Masked, Blue-footed, Red-footed & Brown Boobies; Cook’s Petrel; Red-billed Tropicbird; Great & Magnificent Frigatebirds; White Tern; Brown Noddy. Guadalupe Junco; Socorro Parakeet; Socorro Mockingbird (dependent on landing permits)
Guadalupe Fur Seal; Northern Elephant Seal; California Sea Lion; Blue, Fin, Brydes, Humpback, Gray & Minke Whales; Cuvier’s & Peruvian Beaked Whales (rare); Risso’s, Short-beaked & Long-beaked Common Dolphins.
pelagic, oceanic islands
24 with 1 Rockjumper leader & 1 local birding leader
Undemanding. Suitable for all birding / wildlife interest levels. Sea conditions are variable.
Comfortable
Moderate. Mostly pelagic species, some of which present significant ID difficulties.
Good to excellent.
David was brilliant, as usual, and the Mexican guides were also exceptional, making for a really good tour. Great country, fabulous birds, would like to go back.
Thanks again to the team at the office for setting up this trip. It was a great success. Adams experience as a guide really showed through. He was very knowledgeable regarding birds and other wildlife and also handled all the logistics smoothly. The local guides were extremely skilled brothers and were a great addition to the group. The accommodations and food were excellent. I will be using Rockjumper again in the future.
"We are pleased to report on our recent Rockjumper birding adventure after spending four weeks (March 22 - April 17) exploring many of Mexico’s best birding sites during back-to-back trips to the states of Veracruz, Oaxaca and Chiapas. We were guided by Rockjumper’s Adam Walleyn and his local contact, Eric. Adam guided us in previous trips to Papua New Guinea, Madagascar, Cuba, Jamaica and Dominican Republic, and we have always been impressed by his worldwide birding expertise and his knowledge of, and enthusiasm for, all wildlife. Eric (a Mexican, living in Oaxaca, and fluent in English) has intimate knowledge of literally every bird species that resides in or migrates through Mexico - over 900 species. We slept well and ate extravagantly. Our drivers did an outstanding job of driving safely and minimizing the discomforts of numerous speed bumps and potholes. We birded in a diversity of landscapes that varied from sea level (during a morning coastal/pelagic cruise), to a mangrove forest, to desert scrub and to cloud forests where elevations were over 8000 feet. The highlight of our trip was, of course, the wildlife. We recorded a total of almost 500 bird species during the three trips - 20 of those were heard only. But with Eric’s guidance we had an exceptional opportunity to absorb Mexican culture. We visited ancient stone ruins, enjoyed delicious meals in small village homes (fincas) of farmers and coffee growers, and were pleased to view the products of skilled woodworkers and potters. Adam and Eric did their best to ensure that everyone in our diverse group saw every bird that we encountered. Everyday we were amazed by their skill in spotting and hearing birds and getting their scopes on the birds so that all could see. Their warmth and passion were felt and appreciated by all. We never felt threatened or insecure during our month-long trip. Mask wearing in Mexico is a law with near 100% compliance, including outdoors (our group complied when outside the van). We had no heath issues associated with food and drinks. "
Our trip, a long time in the waiting, was nothing short of a triumph. David led us again with passion, interest and focus. Jorge, our local guide. and his wife Amy who joined us were a triumph leading us to, and putting us on many many lifers. The travel arrangements were well made, the hotels were comfortable and the meals copious. Our first trip to Mexico will most certainly not be our last. Roll on the Yucatan!
Mexico - Chiapas 2023 - April 2023
Mexico - Oaxaca 2023 - March 2023
Mexico - Veracruz & Eastern Sierras Extension 2023 - March 2023
Mexico - Yucatan Extension 2023 - March 2023
Mexico - Chiapas 2022 - April 2022
Mexico - Browne 2022 - April 2022
Mexico - Oaxaca 2022 - March 2022
Mexico - Veracruz & Eastern Sierras Extension 2022 - March 2022
Mexico - Oaxaca 2018 - April 2018
Mexico - Starr - Yucatan Extension 2016 - March 2016