To book a place on a SOSSA pelagic trip from Kiama go to the Contacts page.
2024 KIAMA PELAGIC TRIP DATES can be found here
*Note* Trips are run from Kiama. Please check the departure location of the trip you are booked on before arranging accommodation. Unless you have a car, it would be difficult to get to Kiama from any Wollongong based accommodation.
Looking for information on Wollongong or accommodation? Then visit our Tourisim Wollongong from our links page.
Pelagic trips are organized by SOSSA on the 4th Saturday of every month (Dates and prices for 2024). Additional trips are undertaken at other times, dependent on numbers.
The month-by-month birding guide or species tick-list will give you an idea of what you may see on a pelagic trip off Wollongong/Kiama. Monthly trip reports are also available for Wollongong/Kiama pelagics plus full species lists for birds and mammals.
Boat trips depart at 0730hrs and generally return at approx. 1600hrs. During this time the boat will travel out to the edge of the continental shelf which is about 20 nautical miles east.
What to expect...
Everything and nothing!! The ocean is an extremely unpredictable environment which can yield albatrosses and killer whales one day and a vast expanse of lifeless water the next. The SOSSA team will always work hard to find the right spots based on the conditions of the day but we can never guarantee anything. Safe to say though if you're new to pelagic birding or Australia we'll find something of interest. If you have 'target' species then maximise your chances of seeing them by consulting our month-by-month birding guide. Most of our regulars just love being at sea and the excitement of not knowing what's over the next wave!
What to bring...
A day at sea can be long and exhausting experience so prepare yourself accordingly. Please provide your own food and drinks plus warm clothing, spray jacket, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses (polarized work best), notebook, binoculars, camera, field guides.
Pelagic birding can be very tough. Looking at birds through binoculars on a wobbly ocean often leads to time spent hanging over the side of the boat. Unless you have a cast iron stomach then you should consider taking seasickness pills (Avomine, Kwells, TravelCalm) at least half an hour before departure - check pack for full instructions. However, most if not all of these pills make you very drowsy which may detract from your pelagic experience. Also please be very careful if you plan to drive after the trip.
Usually two or three volunteer guides from SOSSA will be onboard to introduce you to the marine biology of the Illawarra region and help identify the birds, mammals and even the fish we may encounter.
Since 1985 over 100 bird and 30 cetacean species have been seen in the Illawarra region, principally from the Sandra K. Check out the trips reports for an indication of what you might see.