WWF expedition for the protection of cetaceans - in search of the Sperm Whale

FLEXIBLE CANCELLATION.

Stress-free booking: you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure!

Departure on 29 October 2021
3 days 3 nights

Pontine Islands
Italy

Travellers of all ages are welcome!

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Brief description of the holiday

WWF EXPEDITION 2021: research campaign on marine megafauna in the Pontine archipelago, in search of the Sperm Whale.

After the enormous success of the 20-day expedition off Carloforte, the WWF has decided to continue with other expeditions , which differ from each other in terms of destinations and duration, for the purpose of scientific research for the protection of the marine megafauna, including also some endangered cetaceans.

On board these expeditions, WWF will send biologists, naturalists and ethologists aboard an 18-meter schooner, to discover unexplored waters to better understand the impact that man could have had, and could have in the future, on the megafauna. marina of the place.

The goal is therefore to research and monitor the megafauna - Cetaceans, Turtles and Sharks - in this area off the Lazio coast, the ideal habitat of the largest predator in the world: the Sperm Whale . All with specific instrumentation and equipment (drones, hydrophones, cameras and video cameras) to study the distribution and behavior of these wonderful and very important animals and to collect fundamental data to evaluate their presence.

This is a real research expedition, departing from Anzio , which will help the entire scientific community to have valuable information on an unexplored area that could represent a biodiversity hotspot and a very important area of feeding, migration and reproduction for whales. , dolphins, turtles and sharks.

Participating in this expedition is a unique and unrepeatable experience , which will allow 8 travelers to support, in a very important WWF research project, a professional who every day is committed to the protection of marine fauna and the ecosystem in general.

IS IT AN EXPERIENCE FOR EVERYONE?

Yes, in the sense that anyone can get on board this experience, the important thing is to be at ease on a boat and know that it will be a wonderful experience but with rhythms dictated by the real protagonists of this adventure: the cetaceans and other marine animals. There will therefore be navigation and sailing but also moments of fun and strong complicity within the crew, which is united by a common mission: to search and monitor cetaceans to give them the opportunity to continue living undisturbed in their natural habitat. .

THE SKIPPER AND THE BOAT

The skipper of this experience will be Francesco N .. On board with Francesco there will also be his co-skipper and at least two expert biologists / naturalists or ethologists sent by the WWF and other international bodies. For those who wish during the experience it will be possible to learn sailing notions with a small course held by the skipper .

Sailing with Francesco 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. The schooner is in fact built entirely of wood and designed for an environmental awareness project on the theme of plastic in the sea. The guest cabins are two doubles (of which only one is "closed"), one triple (with double berth + 1 single) and one quadruple with 4 single berths.
This boat is deliberately spartan but very charming , so the small price to pay is the lack of some comforts: there is no 220v (therefore it is not possible to use the hairdryer on board) and it does not dispense hot water.

GREEN PASS MANDATORY

Participants of this holiday will be required to show a valid green pass.

SHIPMENT CONFIRMATION

This expedition will start with a minimum number of 6 people, so that WWF can at least partially cover the costs of the expedition. From experience on past expeditions, people who board this type of experience often travel alone. The advice is, if interested, to book even at a minimum number NOT yet reached , as it has happened several times to have an adequate number of interested parties but no one who takes the first step, perhaps frightened by the possibility of not reaching the minimum number. Even after booking, as long as the holiday is not confirmed (ie it will have a minimum of 6 people on board) it will be possible to receive a TOTAL REFUND , in the event that the number of 6 people is not reached.

Check out the crew!

Giulia C. 28
Micol M. 29
TERESA Z. 47 Female
Alessia I. 35 Female
Longhao J. 25
Annamaria R. 50
Josephine G Female
Sailor SQ

Nicoletta C Female

The boat

Schooner 60 Piedi, Westergard Boats

cabins: 4
toilets: 2

length: 18.14m
year: 2016

Construction 2016.
Wooden schooner, auric rig, traditional construction
Lung. On deck. 18.14 m wide mt. 4.67 draft mt. 2.49
Comfort: 2 double cabins, 2 triple cabins, 1 quadruple cabin, 1 navigator berth (total 15 beds);
2 bathrooms, dinette, kitchen with oven.
Instruments: compass, VHF, GPS Navionics, manual windlass, awning, tender with outboard.
100hp aspirated FTP engine

Our itinerary

Our trip starts here

Anzio, RM, Italia
Friday 29 October from 18:00 until Friday 29 October at 19:00

Our trip ends here

Anzio, RM, Italia
Monday 1 November from 16:00 until Monday 1 November at 16:00

Reviews of WWF Travel

31 reviews
10 / 10

Not only a beautiful holiday (relaxation, fun, swimming in beautiful places and dolphin watching), but also a way to gain awareness and regain balance with yourself, others and nature. Mahayana is a wonderful ship and the crew is fantastic; you will travel in total safety thanks to the captain and the ethologist Laura will infect and excite you with her passion and will involve you in her work. A must try to experience the wonder.

Experience to live absolutely! It opens your heart and mind, it changes you inside.

person very attentive to the needs of guests, available, open to dialogue and company!! Personally it was a pleasure to meet him...

The beauty of the boat, the emotions of the sighting of cetaceans accompanied by the passionate explanations of our ethologist Laura make this experience truly unique and intense. More than a relaxing holiday, it is an adventure holiday. Nice for families

The sailing experience with Francesco was very fun and interesting. We spotted numerous pods of dolphins and even two huge whales! The crew consists of Francesco and two young skippers very nice and light. Real sea wolves! With a great sensitivity to the problems inherent in the marine ecosystem, such as protection of the sea from plastic pollution and non-perishable materials and observation and care of marine fauna. Frencesco's boat is a galleon of about 20 meters very comfortable and spacious all built of wood with his own hands! Truly unique! An experience not to be missed! Claudia

Fantastic skipper! It makes you feel immediately in the family, always ready to tell anecdotes of the sea and not, to listen and to be part of the group! Extremely accommodating on life on board and strict when needed to ensure everyone's safety and tranquility. Surely I would repeat the experience with Mario

Great skipper and crew. Obviously highly knowledgeable and experienced about sailing and the sea. Beautiful boat with lost of space - felt as one with nature. The skipper and crew went out of their way to make sure we were comfortable and also had a fun time - trips to shore, nights chatting and singing under the stars, great food. Saw some amazing sealife - dolphins (two types), shark, tuna, turtles. Was great to have a very knowledgeable WWF scientist with us explaining about the sealife and challenges all the way. A magical experience. Very much looking forward to another adventure soon.

Nicola is professional and nice! Eleonora explained a lot of things to us and is of pleasant company I would choose them without hesitation again! We saw quite a few dolphins, yey!

Very competent welcoming and helpful person, he led us with mastery in this wonderful adventure patiently teaching to be a good crew. Congratulations and thanks captain!

The boat is something magical that transports you to another space-time dimension. In 18 meters, there is room only for important things. The frenzy and frivolity of everyday life slowly slide into the depths of the sea. I couldn't ask for more revealing experience and better assorted crew. A special thanks to Mahayana -The Blue Dream Project and its captain Francesco, incurable allies against plastic in the sea. A heartfelt thanks to the WWF guides for transporting us and transmitting the importance of safeguarding our great blue sea.

what to say ? fantastic experience, I do not add anything else, try it!!

Sailing with Captain Francesco's boat was going beyond travel and adventure. It allowed me to learn the first rudiments of sailing, to compare myself with other biologists and researchers and to realize a dream far beyond my expectations. I never wanted to get off the boat nor did I want to have to say goodbye to the crew.

A unique experience, which can perhaps be summarized in two considerations. 1) have a skipper who built the boat with his own hands and brought it from Canada to us 2) See up close the desire to do of young researchers who will surely become great. Thanks to all of you, from the crew to the wonderful guests. A special greeting to the Captain who allowed me to take his boat even through difficult seas. See you again!

Great experience, I would have no other words to describe it.

They say that when you get off Captain Francesco's boat, the "big vehicle",you should be a little more enlightened than when you left. I cannot arrogate to myself the presumption of calling myself more enlightened, but more conscious yes. More aware of how much our seas are threatened and how little is still being done to protect them. More aware also of how much waste is made in everyday life and how much we can learn to reduce it more and more. I warmly thank the group that shared this experience, with which a good spirit of collaboration was formed right from the start. I thank Captain Francesco and Fabio, who guided us with sympathy and skill through the cetacean sanctuary. Finally, I thank Laura and Federica very much for having accompanied us on this journey and for their work of protection, research and dissemination that they carry out daily, to which I wish the best. I will always carry this experience in my heart.

Truly superb experience in all respects, to be repeated and recommended to anyone and at any age. If it were possible to include among the tasks of the mission also the recovery of floating plastics and the various polystyrene boxes lost / thrown away by fishermen, it would be even better.

Unforgettable experience, unrepeatable emotions! The biologists on board Nora and Lorenzo were beyond my expectations for professionalism, attention paid to the group, enthusiasm, sympathy and empathy. Thanks to the synergy created with the formidable skipper Francesco, the two biologists led us on magical routes where thanks to a good eye and a pinch of luck, we were able to observe a considerable number of cetaceans up close. Retraceable emotions also thanks to the incredible shots that Nora has managed to do! Highly recommended holiday

A fantastic adventure, absolutely to be repeated! Bravo captain Guido who knew how to sail with skill, always ready and attentive to understand the needs of the crew. Bravo the biologist Ludovico who has been able to transmit his love for the environment and for cetaceans with great enthusiasm and passion. Great crew in toto that despite the weather conditions not always favorable and the narrow spaces has been able to remain united, serene and weave a bond made of sea, horizons and smiles.

Unforgettable holiday! The two biologists / researchers very prepared, have involved us in the round, from lessons to sightings and answering all our questions, very short Lollo and Nora, the latter then exceptional photographer! The skipper Francesco great professional, proved to be fundamental for the success of the holiday, his choice to anticipate the departure. Experience to recommend absolutely Heather

The sailboat represents the experience that everyone should enjoy at least once in a lifetime. Accompanied by Guido as Skipper and Ludovico, biologist, we spent a wonderful week discovering cetaceans and paradisiacal views. Mamma Natura showed us all her range of moods: from swollen waves to the flattest calm. Always putting safety first, we have dealt with every condition in an optimal way, reformulating plans and routes if necessary to allow the group - for the most part at the first sailing experience - to live this adventure serenely. Full applause to Guido and Ludovico, able to respond, always effective and punctual, to the most disparate needs of a heterogeneous group (8-60 years) and to have put at our disposal their preparation, professionalism and passion, 24 hours a day. My most sincere thanks go to them and to the wonderful group with whom I shared this unique experience. Alexia

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Other important information

WHAT TO BRING

The boat is not equipped with heating but being entirely made of wood, the internal temperature is still comfortable, being well insulated. For navigation, however, it is advisable to bring warm clothing and a jacket suitable for the season. Hat, scarf and gloves for the coldest. Having said that, the weather might surprise us, the possibility of being able to take an autumn swim is not excluded. For the night it is good to bring a sleeping bag suitable for the season.
Do not use rigid suitcases on the boat, spaces are limited.
It is not possible to use the hairdryer on board and the boat does not dispense hot water.
If you think you suffer from seasickness, you can buy special tablets at the pharmacy.

HOW TO REACH THE BOARDING PLACE

You can get to Anzio with a direct train from Rome. The train journey takes less than an hour and the train station is just a few minutes' walk from the port of Anzio.

Cancellations and Refund

What's included

Knowing what expenses are included and excluded from your booking fee will enable you to have a good idea of the total cost of your chosen experience.

Included in the price.

Not included in the price.

To be paid onboard.

In addition to the price, there will be some additional expenses that you will incur during your trip. Expenses have been listed below.

The estimated expenses for the rest of the holiday are approximately 150-200€ per person.

This is a holiday dedicated to

Brief description of the holiday

Check out the crew!