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25 April: Whale watching expedition with WWF guide on an 18-meter schooner

Italy:

Pontine Islands

Duration:

4 days - 3 nights

Max number of passengers:

10 people

Available:

-

Boarding from:

San Felice Circeo

What's included

Cancellation policy

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Organised by:

WWF Travel

Member since 2020 -

Organisation

Italian

English

This experience, in a nutshell

This sailing expedition in the Pontine Archipelago offers an extraordinary opportunity to explore and protect the Mediterranean from a unique perspective, flanked by whale watching guides from WWF Italy. Boarding a wooden schooner, Ambassador of the Le Vele del Panda project, you will experience an adventure that combines navigation, scientific research and sustainability, transforming you into active protagonists of a mission dedicated to the protection of marine megafauna.

The crystal clear waters surrounding the islands of Ponza, Ventotene, Palmarola and Zannone offer the ideal setting for the observation of striped dolphins, acrobatic protagonists of the open seas, and, with a bit of luck, of the great diving champions of the Mediterranean: the sperm whale, master of depth, and the Cuvier's beaked whale, the most enigmatic of cetaceans. Accompanied by experts, you will learn to recognize species and understand their behaviors using rigorous and non-invasive techniques. On board you will develop valuable scientific skills: from nature photography to photo-identification technique, up to acoustic monitoring with the hydrophone, which will allow you to listen to the sounds of the sea, both day and night.

Each day will be different, influenced by weather and sea conditions and the movement of animals, in an experience that combines science and adventure. Life on board, simple but rich, will be characterized by sharing and collaboration: you will participate not only in research activities but also in small daily tasks, such as cooking or tidying up, creating a convivial and authentic atmosphere.

This expedition is not a luxury holiday, but a total immersion in nature, an opportunity to discover a fascinating ecosystem and contribute to its protection. Observations can take long hours of navigation and patience, but each sighting will reward you with unforgettable emotions. Join us to sail through the Pontine Islands, discover the great blue and contribute to the conservation of the extraordinary species that inhabit it, on a journey that combines exploration, sustainability and scientific passion.


HIGHLIGHTS

Unique scientific experience: Direct participation in monitoring and research activities together with WWF guides , using non-invasive methods to observe and protect cetaceans in the Mediterranean, according to the rigorous standards of the High Quality Whale Watching certification, promoted by ACCOBAMBS and CIMA Foundation. These labels certify that all activities follow international guidelines, promoting species conservation and educating participants on the importance of protecting biodiversity.

Contact with wild nature: A journey in harmony with the marine environment, away from crowded places, to experience the Mediterranean in its authenticity and contribute to its conservation.

Sustainable sailing: The choice of sailboat aims to minimize the use of the engine (unless the marine weather conditions do not allow it), thus limiting emissions and noise pollution, for a more sustainable environmental impact. This choice represents a concrete commitment to responsible tourism that respects the marine environment.

Authentic and shared atmosphere: Spartan and collaborative life on board, with all participants involved in daily activities, for a travel experience that combines adventure, conviviality and a spirit of adaptation.

Education and active involvement
The experience is not just passive observation: participants are actively involved in on-board activities and scientific research, developing skills in nature photography, monitoring and sampling. This involvement allows us to create a deep connection with the marine environment, promoting greater awareness regarding biodiversity conservation.

Navigation and life on board
A sailing cruise means having the sea just a dive away, even first thing as soon as you wake up (if the season allows it!), it means having an aperitif while always watching the sunset, dining under the stars and enjoying moments of pure fun and relaxation.

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY OF THE EXPERIENCE
Easy, suitable for everyone.

OUR SKIPPER
The skipper of this experience will be Francesco N. (click on his name to read reviews left by other travellers). On board with Francesco you may find 1 or 2 crew members who will help him during the navigation. 
Sailing with Francesco means taking a step back in time, to experience those emotions that only history with its traditions can give you. Lie down on the deck, eyes closed, the sun warming your face and feel the gentle roll of the boat as it safely plows the water. In fact, the schooner is built entirely of wood and was designed for an environmental project to raise awareness on the issue of plastic in the sea. For those who wish, during the experience it will be possible to learn sailing notions with a small course held by the skipper.

No Departures available

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16+

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Boat & Classes of Service

Westegard Boats Schooner 60 - 2016

Type

Gulet

Length

18.14 m.

Toilets

2

Cabins

4

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11+

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Our itinerary

Our trip starts here:

San Felice Circeo.

Check-in: 4:00 PM

Our trip ends here:

San Felice Circeo.

Check-out: 4:00 PM

Our itinerary

The cruise departs from the picturesque port of San Felice Circeo, an ideal gateway to explore the fascinating Pontine Archipelago, an area of great ecological and natural value in the heart of the Tyrrhenian Sea. During the trip, the navigation will focus around the islands of Ponza, Palmarola and Zannone, perfect habitats to observe the acrobatic striped dolphins, famous for their spectacular jumps, and, with a little luck, the bottlenose dolphin, the coastal dolphin known for its curiosity and intelligence, as well as the majestic sperm whale, champion of Mediterranean diving.

The itinerary, flexible and adapted to weather and sea conditions and the movements of fauna, will be planned to optimize sighting and data collection opportunities. Each day will offer a balanced mix of scientific research, exploration and moments of relaxation.

Activities will include offshore sailings to follow the movements of dolphins and bottlenose dolphins, stops in protected areas for more detailed observations and behavioral analysis, and regenerating breaks to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the archipelago. This unique experience combines a passion for science with the thrill of discovery, in a journey that adapts to the rhythm of the sea and its extraordinary inhabitants.

The itinerary may be subject to changes due to weather conditions and/or technical or logistical reasons, in order to ensure safety and a pleasant sailing experience for all participants.

Frequent questions

The organiser reviews

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Organised by:

WWF Travel

Member since 2020 -

Organisation

Italian

English

4.7/5

out of

212

reviews

Skipper

Boat

Destination

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Whale watching cruise with WWF guide on an 18-meter schooner between Tuscany and Corsica

09/7/2025

Natalia B.

-

Italy

It's an amazing experience! We were lucky to observe some kind of sieves! And thanks to Joelle's lessons I discovered the whole new world! Going with the sails was fun and very safe with the captain and the captain Mela and Ale! A charge of positive emotions!
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Whale watching cruise with WWF guide on an 18-meter schooner between Tuscany and Corsica

09/2/2025

Marco G.

-

Italy

Beautiful experience. The only flaw is that it ended too soon!
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Whale watching cruise with WWF guide on an 18-meter schooner between Tuscany and Corsica

09/1/2025

Saverio D.

-

Italy

A big thank you to Joelle & team where you can see and feel the passion that they put into us wonderful cruise crew exceeding expectations, an experience that everyone should try to understand what state our seas are in.
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Whale watching cruise with researcher between Liguria and the French Riviera

08/31/2025

Daniela D.

-

Italy

The whale watching cruise with WWF Travel was a truly unique experience, which I recommend to those looking for an authentic adventure and the chance to observe marine wildlife up close. The beauty of cetaceans and the thrill of seeing them in their natural habitat are certainly the highlights of this experience. However, it is important to be aware that this is not a completely relaxing holiday. Sailing conditions can be physically demanding, with long hours on a sailboat, and the heat or rough seas can make travel difficult for those who are not used to it. So be prepared for these situations as well: bring seasickness medication with you and always let the crew know about any issues or needs. Another very positive point of the cruise was our WWF guide, Silvia. She was truly exceptional: prepared, nice and always available. Silvia has a great knowledge of cetacean ethology and involved us passionately in the observations. Thanks to her, every moment at sea was interesting and informative.

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