Nome Birding Charters: Bering Sea Pelagic & Sledge Island Cruise
Custom 6-passenger ocean charters accessing remote seabird colonies and open-water species off the Seward Peninsula.
Offshore Access to Nome’s Premier Pelagic Grounds
While Nome’s road system offers exceptional tundra birding, the most sought-after ocean species remain out of reach from the beach. Operating out of the Nome Harbor, our captained 27-foot enclosed (and heated!) pilothouse vessel provides safe, direct access to the rich pelagic waters of Norton Sound and the dramatic sea cliffs of Sledge Island (Ayak).
Target Species & Seabird Colonies
Sledge Island rises sheer out of the Bering Sea, serving as an isolated breeding sanctuary for thousands of pelagic seabirds. Our vessel allows for quiet, controlled positioning along the island’s steep bluffs and surrounding drift lines, ideal for wildlife photographers and life-listers.
Read Alaska Magazine’s story about Sledge Island called “A Treasure Island in the Bering Strait”
Nesting Seabirds
Horned Puffins & Tufted Puffins
Common Murres & Thick-Billed Murres
Pelagic Cormorants
Black-Legged Kittiwakes
Pelagic & Coastal Waterfowl
Parakeet Auklets & Crested Auklets
Pacific Loons & Yellow-Billed Loons
Northern Fulmars, Eiders, and Shearwaters
Marine Mammals
Frequent sightings of spotted seals, bearded seals, and occasional gray whales feeding offshore.
Built for Northern Waters
Wildlife viewing in the Bering Sea requires a capable vessel. Our 27-foot aluminum pilothouse boat, the Orso, features a heated, fully enclosed cabin with panoramic windows to keep you warm during transit, along with a walk-around deck designed for unhindered 360-degree photography and observation.
Capacity: Limited strictly to 6 passengers for an uncrowded, personal experience.
Schedules: Half-day (approx. 4 hours) and full-day custom runs timed around local weather windows.
Tour Operators & Private Buyouts: Available for independent travelers, small photography groups, or local land guides looking to add an offshore leg to their Nome itinerary. Contact us for more information.
Rates: $1,499 for up to six passengers. Due to the distance and time required for this trip I’m sorry to say we cannot sell individual seats!
What to expect on your trip
Barring inclement weather, we will leave the Nome harbor at your desired time. We can get to Sledge Island, 22 miles away, in between 45 and 90 minutes depending on the ocean conditions. That leaves us 1.5-2.5 hours to circle the island and return to Nome. We can do drop-offs on the island if time and conditions allow!
Reserve Your Charter
Space is strictly limited during the peak June and July birding season. Contact us directly to verify dates, ask questions, or request tour operator rates.