Paulagics Reviews 17

An amazing experience! Very knowledgeable staff willing to help you identify targeted species.

As usual, good birds, good company and guides that did their best to be sure everyone saw the birds. This is my 4th trip with Paulagics and I highly recommend them. The guides did their utmost to be sure everyone got on the birds.

This was my first palegic trip so I didn't know what to expect. However, I found the Paulagic staff friendly, very helpful, professional and eager to make sure that I got to see what I wanted to see (providing the birds cooperated:)

Outstanding winter birding trip led by highly knowledgeable guides and boat crew. Their fishing experience pays dividends in knowing where to find pelagic birds and sea mammals. In addition to our individual education and enjoyment of nature, the data from these trips is contributed to eBird and advances the efforts of the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology to track endangered seabirds throughout their migration.

The crew was great and the leaders very knowledgeable and helpful getting people on the sightings.

The main complaint for myself and others I've talked to is how little percentage of the time was spent in Maryland waters.

That was my main reason for taking the trip - to increase my MD birding list - not to see whales.

I can see whales, dolphins, and seals from the shore at Ocean City and Assateague.

i would have given 5 stars for this excellent birding trip if the boat captain did not smoke cigarettes the entire trip. that was the ONLY downside to our lewes based trip. otherwise, this was an excellent adventure with expert leaders!

I loved the trip. Paul Guris and the other leaders are true experts in pelagic birds and marine mammals. They share their knowledge and enthusiasm without reservation.

They also understand the weather, ocean temperatures and how those factors influence bird distribution. They share eBird checklists using the Pelagic Protocol with all participants; a major benefit.

My only constructive criticism is that the Captain and at least one of the mates smoked cigarettes almost the entire trip, The mate was on the aft deck cutting chum which made that area marginal for anyone that reacts poorly to cigarette smoke as a trigger to sea sickness, The Captain was in the wheelhouse with the cabin door open to the main salon that participants occupied and I could smell cigarettes most of the trip which forced me to go outside in the bow (where the birds were of course) to breathe fresh air and avoid "chumming".

All in all, a truly fantastic trip, and I did not get seasick from the smoke but I had to manage the situation.

This was my first pelagic trip and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The best part were the leaders. They wanted to make sure all got to see each species of bird (I'm still amazed how they could spot those birds and alert the captain to stop). When a crowd was in the back to see the Iceland Gull, the leader made sure I got to the rail when I mentioned I had never seen one before. Thank you for making my first trip such a positive experience!!

Super guides, they all made sure we got on the birds. Wonderful trip!

Even with iffy weather and sometimes bouncy seas, the Captain and Paul created a successful trip.

The energy and enthusiasm was apparent as soon as I saw Paul and crew! They worked hard to find and get everyone looks at the birds. The boat had the perfect amount of people so everyone was comfortable and had room to move about. The leaders were warm and welcoming and more than happy to answer questions. I found the only Mallard on the trip and Mikey was as stoked as I was even though it was, well a Mallard! Well done Paul and crew...well done! 😉
Christopher Rowe

Paul and SeaLife Paulagics do a great job. The leaders are knowledgeable and experienced. They know where to find birds and how to read weather conditions. Paul is a great guy, with tons of knowledge and a friendly outgoing demeanor.
However, my primary concerns are with the charter company they use out of Lewes; the crew regularly throw trash and cigarette buttes overboard. This has direct impacts on wildlife as well as ocean health. The boat is very loud and uncomfortable. Seats and benches are old. There is NO running water and no drinking water, which is rare for a boat that size (the Thelma Dale V). Unfortunately, few or no other options exist?? The toilets/heads are also poorly maintained. In addition, several of the crew were rude and seemed to have little appreciation for what we were trying to do out there. For them, it was “easy” money compared to a day with fishing clients.

Great trip. Good birds.

Great trip, excellent & experienced spotters. Great attention to detail and keeping trip participants on top of sightings as they happen.

My experiences with Paulagics has been strictly out of the Lewes Delaware marina launch site but I can say that Paul leads quality trips with a quality team. He works with a ship captain that enjoys finding and chasing down pelagic birds, unlike some other captains and boats that I have sailed with that have been in it simply to make a buck. His boats are big, meaning more comfortable, and are capable of carrying plenty of birders. Next season should have a boat with a galley and bunks for sleeping - a welcome change to this venue. Paul enjoys running these trips and has a good time doing so. This ensures you will have your best chances at a good time as well.