WWF TRAVEL SEARCH CRUISES: WHALE WATCHING BUT NOT ONLY!
WWF Travel offers a cruise on a sailing boat where travelers will be involved in WWF scientific research activities for the protection of the Mediterranean megafauna. A sea and navigation experience accompanied by WWF researchers , where you can learn to observe, identify and protect, with strictly non-invasive methods, the cetaceans of our seas.
For travelers it will be an opportunity to enjoy naturalistic and marine beauties , to have fun in the most beautiful seas of the Mediterranean and at the same time to develop skills of great scientific interest such as:
• naturalistic photography techniques and photo-identification techniques
• monitoring methodologies
• behavior sampling techniques
• use of research instruments : GPS, navigation software, binoculars with reticles, video camera and BORIS software for the acquisition of surface behavioral data.
The atmosphere that reigns on the boat is serene and informal and the daily activities, in agreement with the skipper and the researcher, will be modulated and variable according to the weather and sea conditions and the identification of itineraries that lend themselves extemporaneously to scientific research. For this reason, as a crew, we will need to be flexible and to understand that working with animals in nature cannot be 100% planned ... but this is precisely the beauty of a cruise that has a scientific research component!
WHY CHOOSE WWF TRAVEL?
1) RESPONSIBLE TOURISM : we are among the founding members of AITR, the Italian Association of Responsible Tourism; for us, making a trip means first of all implementing all good practices aimed at respecting the environment , local communities and supporting the protection of biodiversity; 2) COMPETENCE and KNOWLEDGE : we give enormous value to competence in fact the WWF researchers all come from naturalistic training courses, but above all they have a very clear goal, that is to give depth to the emotions experienced on board and ensure that your wealth of knowledge is much heavier when returning from an experience with WWF, enriching every moment lived in search of the inhabitants of the sea with details. 3) FUN AND PLEASURE : we never forget that we are talking about holidays. We want to get to know the nature that surrounds us better, but we want to do it by enjoying the beauty of the places we are visiting and appreciating the pleasure of sharing the experience with our travel companions in a cheerful and relaxed atmosphere .
PLACES AND ITINERARY
Sailing with Francesco and his crew means taking a step back in time, it means experiencing those emotions that only history with its traditions can give you. Lie on the deck, eyes closed, the sun warming your face and feel the gentle roll of the boat as it safely plows through the water
We therefore propose an adventure inside the Mediterranean Cetacean Sanctuary , in an area between the Island of Elba, the Tuscan Coast and Liguria, Corsica , starting from the port of Orbetello.
OUR SKIPPER
The skipper of this experience will be Francesco N .. Check out the great reviews he has already received on Sailsquare. On board with Francesco you will also find two other people who will help him during the navigation and will live with you a magical experience in search of cetaceans. For those who wish during the experience it will be possible to learn sailing notions with a small course held by the skipper.
A characteristic 18-meter schooner , with auric sails, built entirely of wood and designed for an environmental project to raise awareness on the theme of plastic in the sea.
COVID FREE HOLIDAY
In the case of mixed crews (no families or pre-established groups), the participants of this holiday will be required to exhibit a negative result certificate of rapid antigen swab , carried out in the 48 hours prior to departure. Quick swabs can be made at the pharmacy and provide the result in 15 minutes, reservations are often required. Alternatively, it is necessary to present a vaccination certificate certifying complete vaccination (two doses, where required).
No Departures available
What's included
Cancellation policy
No Departures available
Italy: 6 days - 6 nights
Tuscany
What's included
Cancellation policy
No Departures available
7+
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Boat & Classes of Service
Westegard Boats Schooner 60 - 2016
Type
Sailing ship
Length
18.14 m.
Toilets
2
Cabins
4
The Boat
Construction 2016.Wooden schooner, auric rig, traditional constructionLength. On deck. mt.18,14 larg. mt.4,67 draught mt. 2.49Comfort: 2 double cabins, 1 triple cabin and 1 quadruple cabin (total 11 berths for guests); 2 bathrooms, dinette, kitchen with oven. Instruments: compass, VHF, Navionics GPS, manual windlass, awning, dinghy with outboard. FTP 100hp naturally aspirated engine
Whale watching expedition with WWF researcher on an 18-metre schooner
10/6/2023
Lorenzo S.
-
Italy
Esperienza meravigliosa. Ho incontrato persone splendide, ringrazio in particolare il Capitano Francesco, Alejandro e Silvia del WWF, per tutti gli insegnamenti e per la disponibilità. Consiglio vivamente l'esperienza.
Skipper
Whale watching expedition with WWF researcher on an 18-metre schooner
10/6/2023
Daniela M.
-
Italy
Per me è stata un'esperienza entusiasmante! Non avevo mai navigato prima e già penso ad imbarcarmi di nuovo.
Tutto mi è piaciuto in questo viaggio, le persone affidabili, accoglienti, colte e allegre che ho incontrato, la goletta aurica da sogno, la meraviglia infinita del mare e delle isole Pontine. Anche le stenelle che più volte abbiamo avvistato!! Ringrazio davvero di cuore Silvia, Francesco e Alejandro e spero non mancherà un'altra occasione per navigare insieme.
Skipper
Whale watching expedition with WWF researcher in Liguria
09/22/2023
Lara B.
-
Italy
Esperienza veramente BELLISSIMA, nonostante i pochi avvistamenti, ma in quanto tali son stati assaporati al massimo!
Tutto é fluito alla perfezione, dentro e fuori la barca, nonostante momenti di pioggia e mare mosso.
Oltre ai compagni di spedizione con cui si é creato subito un clima di armonia e cooperazione, un GRAZIE speciale a Joelle - la NS ricercatrice Whale Whatcher WWF - e a Nicola - il NS skipper - nn solo per la loro professionalità e attenzione ad ogni NS esigenza, ma soprattutto per la loro passione per il mare e i suoi abitanti che hanno condiviso con noi e ci hanno trasmesso.
Lo considero un assaggio di altre esperienze future.
Skipper
Whale watching expedition with WWF researcher in Liguria
09/22/2023
Alessia T.
-
Italy
La guida whale watcher Joelle è molto competente, super entusiasta (ragazziiiiiiiii, stenelleeeeeeeeeee!!!) e sempre attenta alle esigenze del gruppo. Con il suo sorriso (tanto più smagliante quanto più numerosi sono gli avvistamenti!) contribuisce a creare un clima allegro e spensierato tra i membri dell'equipaggio.
Lo skipper Nicola ci ha illustrato con grande chiarezza alcuni principi base dell'andare a vela e ci ha portato con grande competenza, equilibrio e simpatia, sintonizzandosi perfettamente con tutti i componenti del gruppo (ok, con gli ingegneri informatici particolarmente).
Abbiamo avvistato due gruppi di stenelle e qualche tonno salterino. Consiglio molto questa esperienza, io continuerò a iscrivermi finche non vedrò una balena!!!