Upon booking, we request an initial 50% deposit payable by US check or credit card (VISA, MasterCard, Discover). The remaining 50% is due 30 days prior to departure. Should you need to cancel, 90% of the deposit is refundable if you cancel more than 90 days prior to departure. A 10% administrative fee is retained. Within 90 days of departure, the deposit is nonrefundable unless we can re-book your spot. Then your deposit is 90% refundable.

Please make your travel arrangements to San Diego to start the tour. We recommend that you arrive to San Diego the day before your tour departs in case of weather delays. Check our “Suggested San Diego Services” and “What to do in San Diego” for ideas on hotels and local attractions. The San Diego airport’s (Lindbergh Field) airline code is SAN. Before booking non-refundable flights, contact us to verify that the tour is a confirmed departure.

The tour will arrive back to Fisherman’s Landing by 8 a.m. on the last day. A taxi can get you back to the airport for a flight out at noon or later, or to rent a car for more birding around southern California.

Searcher is scheduled to depart from Fisherman’s Landing in Point Loma. Please be available for check-in by 11 a.m.

If you drive to San Diego, you may leave a vehicle at Fisherman’s Landing in an Ace Parking lot which costs $8 per day. Fisherman’s Landing is about 15 minutes by taxi from the airport or train station and is located at the intersection of North Harbor Drive and Scott Street in the Point Loma area.

We suggest you purchase travel insurance in case of the unexpected need to cancel your tour. Our recommended product is found here: www.travelguard.com/drinsure. Once the tour has started, all money paid to Searcher Natural History Tours is nonrefundable.

The tour price does not include: ground/air transportation costs, costs for emergency medical situations during the tour, costs associated with travel delays due to weather or other unavoidable events, trip insurance, or early arrival or late departure due to airline schedules. We reserve the right to charge a fuel surcharge if the price of marine diesel fuel rises unexpectedly. This will be determined in advance of the tour.

We are often asked for guidelines on gratuity for Searcher crew. An average is 10% of the trip cost and can be left aboard with the captain.

We are happy to chat with you about your upcoming trip and answer any questions or concerns. We look forward to hosting you aboard Searcher for a wildlife adventure of a lifetime!