Whale watching cruise with WWF researcher in the Pontine Islands

FLEXIBLE CANCELLATION.

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

Departure on 9 July 2023
5 days 6 nights

Pontine Islands
Italy

Travellers of all ages are welcome!

6 more travelers and this holiday will be confirmed.

8 spots available

This is a holiday dedicated to

Brief description of the holiday

WWF TRAVEL RESEARCH CRUISES: WHALE WATCHING BUT NOT ONLY!

WWF Travel offers a sailing cruise where travelers will be involved in WWF scientific research activities for the protection of Mediterranean megafauna. A sea and navigation experience accompanied by WWF researchers , where you can learn to observe, identify and protect the cetaceans of our seas with strictly non-invasive methods.

For travelers it will be an opportunity to enjoy natural 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 equipment : GPS, navigation software, binoculars with reticles, video camera and BORIS software for acquiring surface behavioral data.

The atmosphere that reigns on the boat is serene and informal and all the people on board will be involved in the activities on board (such as cooking, keeping the boat in order, ..) , in order to preserve the sharing spirit that characterizes this type of vacation. 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, as a crew we will need to be flexible and understand that working with animals in the wild is not 100% plannable. Sometimes the observations of cetaceans will require longer navigations just in order to make an observation. 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 the good practices aimed at respecting the environment , local communities and supporting the protection of biodiversity;
2) EXPERTISE and KNOWLEDGE : we attach enormous value to competence, in fact the WWF researchers all come from naturalistic training courses, but above all they have a very clear objective, 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 the WWF, enriching every moment lived in search of the inhabitants of the sea with details.
3) FUN AND PLEASURE : let's 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

We will leave from Nettuno , a port that is very easy to reach both by train and by own means. Our route will be directed towards the archipelago of the Pontine islands: we will admire the magnificent Pontine islands, between Palmarola, Ponza and Ventotene. We will admire the thousand colors of the sea, rocks and vegetation.
Embarkation is scheduled for Sunday from 18:00 onwards, we will sail very early on Monday morning, around 5:00.
The disembarkation will take place on Saturday morning between 9:00 and 10:00.
We will decide the itinerary based on the weather conditions and the indications of the skipper and the WWF expert.

Do you want to get excited with little? Fun and healthy life on the boat await you too, including aperitifs, dinners under the stars and swimming in natural pools, respecting the environment, with new and old friends.

OUR SKIPPER

Alessandro D. will be on board this experience: click on the name to read the reviews he has received from travellers.
Alessandro was born and raised on the sea, starting to sail as a child. For several years he has decided to share his love for the sea with other people by organizing trips on a sailing boat. Owner of an ASD gives sailing lessons to his guests. She has sailed in various areas of the Mediterranean, but every year she returns to the Pontine islands, where she is now at home. His traveling companions described him as available, pleasant and generous, capable of making anyone who sails with him feel at home.

The boat

Ocean Star 51.1

cabins: 5 (4+1)
toilets: 4

length: 14,91m
year: 2000

Sailing yacht Ocean Star 51.1, built in 2000 is a perfect option for all those interested in an experience of freedom combined with style and comfort. You will wake up to the sound of the sea in one of the Ocean Star 51.1 5's in a spacious cabin. This sailboat can accommodate up to 10 people, and is ideal for spending precious time relaxing with your family or friends.

Double wheel steering
Fuel tank 500 liters
Water tank 900 lt
110 HP engine
Max 10 passengers
4 double cabins with private bathroom
Skipper cabin with bathroom

Our itinerary

Our trip starts here

Nettuno, RM, Italia
Sunday 9 July from 18:00 until Sunday 9 July at 20:00

Our trip ends here

Nettuno, RM, Italia
Saturday 15 July from 9:00 until Saturday 15 July at 10:00

Reviews of WWF Travel

50 reviews
9 / 10

Beautiful experience with a large group. Excellent skipper who was able to lead us with the utmost attention to everyone's needs. Great WWF guide who knew how to guide, make us grow in knowledge while maintaining an informal and holiday atmosphere. Thank you Frank

Skilled, kind, patient and made great decisions on locations and weather. Provided all comfort needed on the boat. Enabled us all to make the most of our time. Carefully and with respect for nature, steered us to fins. Thank you.

Wonderful experience! Thanks to Captain Nicola prepared and super nice, and Nicole, WWF expert, also very experienced and very nice. There was the sun that mitigated the cutter air of early April. From Loano to Chiavari the sea went from completely calm to slightly windy and so we had numerous meetings with the stenelle. I recorded on wikilock "from Loano to Chiavari with the Dolphins". Even on the way back from Chiavari to Loano there was good weather and in addition to the dolphins we met the sunfish and a small turtle. I registered on wikiloc "From Chiavari to Loano with dolphins and turtle" Everything magnificent!!

I chose this holiday for my son and I am very satisfied because the project makes an automatic skimming of the people who are on board the beautiful schooner of Francesco. The children spent 6 days reading, playing, chatting, diving and wonderful bathing, helping the adults by taking responsibility, spotting dolphins and following Silvia's passionate lessons (wwf) without thinking about cartoons and video games. And the adults... ditto! Life on a boat is spartan and teaches that the comforts you lack the first few days are superfluous and are soon compensated by so much beauty in the eyes and heart. A barter that should be done more often. Thank you

Experience on the "schooner of 18 mt. by FRANCESCO N. flying the Polish flag". On the 3rd day we disembarked on a beach on Elba returning to TALAMONE with luggage and makeshift means. Beautiful from the outside, boatpeople in reality. Dirty from the root. a bathroom for 13 people, the second infrequen that permeated from closed the luggage in the suitcases. Spray disinf absent(imagine going to the bathroom). Shifts x kitchen and lav dishes mandatory. With sea water without rinsing to the delight of coliforms. Water to drink from a rabb bowl from jerry cans, obviously hot prohibition to put it in the fridge. Showers practically forbidden with the threat of having to recharge it in port at our expense (over 2600 euros x 2 people without receipt). 800 lt x 13 people x 7 days was a survival course. Assigned seats x 2 people in cucc. bunk in passage corridor (40 cm) between stern and bow side toxic bathroom. Meals 1 potato sausage or 15 rigatoni with pesto but the next day Cetacean? boh --------RESPOND OF THE ORGANIZER OF THE HOLIDAY -------Good morning Fabrizio, we are sorry that the experience was not at the level of your expectations. As you told the WWF guide on board, this cruise was given to you. I am therefore afraid that you have not had the opportunity to read the holiday card and look at the photos and the plan of the boat before embarking. In the holiday card, the things you are surprised about (and that you did not appreciate, such as the shifts to cook) are clearly communicated and the photos of the boat make you understand the number and type of cabins and bathrooms. I do not know what you mean by "boatpeople" but the boat in question, as you can also see in the other reviews, is appreciated by many, both for its charm but also for its history and for the spartanity, which in fact distinguishes this type of holiday, especially the research cruises with WWF that have as their main objective to involve travelers both in cetacean research activities but also in the propagation of values such as sharing, ecology, avoiding waste, feeling good even in the absence of great comforts to which we are accustomed in our homes. Showers have never been banned, they were simply urged to thrift regarding the use of water, especially as your need was to wash even wetsuits and equipment (things usually not allowed on board, but that you brought without first asking for the actual possibility of being able to do so). As for the receipt, the skipper always sends the receipt by email for the part that belongs to him and will arrive by the end of the month (being the skippers in navigation they do not always manage to send the receipts promptly). With regard to the amount of "traveller commissions" retained by Sailsquare, it is possible to request an invoice within 24 hours of booking, as indicated by the policies signed at the time of purchase. In any case, just after booking you received a confirmation email, with the amount paid online by credit card. We renew our regret for the failure to realize your expectations.

skipper and sailor of the real sea wolves; the biologist on board a real professional with blue eyes like the sea of her whales highly recommended holiday for nature lovers

Unforgettable experience both from a naturalistic and human point of view, wonderful boat, exceptional crew, very competent and nice captain, amazing baths even at 2000 meters deep and sightings of striped dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, zifio and whale ... what more could you want?

Fantastic experience! Captain Francesco together with his son Alejandro and skipper Dario, competent, eclectic and experienced. The boat - an 18-meter schooner in wood, albeit spartan, unique and particular; The fascinating itinerary - from Elba to Corsica passing through Capraia - enriched by the lessons of the WWF researcher, Ludovico, who expertly led the team during the numerous sightings of bottlenose dolphins and whales and made me discover a new awareness of the environment and the world of cetaceans. A helpful, flexible and cooperative crew that made the whole holiday wonderful. Recommended for those who have a spirit of adaptation, open-mindedness, curiosity and desire to go beyond the simple journey!

This was my first time on a sailing boat so first of all I praise the great ability of Francesco R. (Skipper) and Nora (researcher) who were able to convey all the necessary tranquility. Then together they are an unbeatable couple for the number of sightings, super competent he for navigation and she for research. We saw dolphins, whales, mobulas and turtles! ???? They both have an overwhelming and contagious passion for the sea and animals. Really two exquisite people, I found two friends, and very available and it is only thanks to them if I can not wait to do this experience again next year.

It was a gift to have found this beautiful holiday for me and my 12 year old son. I would call it a real journey, which introduced us to our expert biologist guide Laura, in the exceptional world of cetaceans and the sea in all its aspects, raising awareness of our behavior in the future. With Captain Francesco, with his zen character, feel the magic that there is in living a ship all in wood, managing to insert inside even details of elegance, make us always feel safe and with the skipper Dario always available to our needs to sail this beautiful boat instructing and making us a real crew .. Everything was in tune with my way of understanding both the holiday and nature, both for the kitchen in all its genuine aspects, but above all for having been lucky enough to share it with the people I met, all with an attention and sensitivity to the environment and in everything that was organized together .... thanks to all my pirate friends ... wonderful holiday!!!

Wonderful experience! We managed to spot whales, dolphins, a turtle and other animals that I did not even know existed and to which Nora introduced us with passion and competence, thanks to her beautiful lessons. The skipper Gianni was phenomenal, apparently with a "rough" sea wolf character, but with a bit of very nice knowledge, witty and great DJ. He led the boat with mastery in bad and bad weather. Only aspect for a possible improvement is that it would have been nice to go only sailing more often. But overall unforgettable experience!

Skipper smart despite being a bit grumpy :-) We were faced with a strong storm (Hurricane Corsica) in which Gianni Maurizio did not lose his temper and brought us to safety. Sorry if it's little! Nora the WWF researcher, a professional who transmits the love for the work she does as well as being a good and welcoming sailboat owner, was available and present in the needs of each of us present on the boat. Beautiful holiday despite the hurricane.

Beautiful holiday and experience, super recommended! Captain Gianni prepared even in the most difficult situations, managed to manage the boat and crew in an exemplary way even in the middle of a sudden storm. The researcher Nora made us discover the best of the Mediterranean fauna and flora, always super competent and exhaustive in the explanations. Thanks to his experience and his hawkeye we could see 16 specimens of common whale, large groups of dolphins and other fantastic sea creatures. Human, smiling and able to create a wonderful atmosphere in the group on board! Very happy to have shared a special experience in the company of beautiful people and professionals! Ps: "O Gianni here the people from barta!" ????

Beautiful experience, skipper and biologist WWF competent and always ready to listen to the needs of the youngest passengers on board.

I traveled with my 12 year old son and.. I can say that it was for both of us a MAGNIFICENT experience thanks to the great experience of Captain Francesco and his sailors Alejandro and Dario unsurpassed !!! I was fascinated by the professionalism and competence of Laura Pintore, ethologist of the WWF, who transmitted to us the true meaning of the expedition and that is to help research and safeguard our seas. There were also moments of leisure between dives and beautiful baths, the travel companions were really unique, the Mahayana schooner sailing in the waves was my moment of ecstasy, thanks to all !!! I hope to come back soon among you, good wind !

Magical experience aboard a magical boat. Captain and crew experienced and attentive to everyone's needs, competent and engaging WWF researcher. Descend from mahayana with a new awareness. I recommend to everyone an experience of this type.

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.

Beautiful experience, I traveled with my 16 year old son, both passionate about the sea, we always felt comfortable. The "captain" and the biologist on board accompanied us with passion and "patience" and in total safety. We "lived" the sea as best we can! All very well then, experience to be repeated, also because unfortunately with the unfavorable weather conditions we have not spotted almost anything ....

I still haven't figured out if he's really a skipper.... first he says something, then after two minutes he thinks again. We did the whole cruise in a 14 mt sailboat but we never went sailing!!!!!!!! He said it was dangerous for the crew but never used life jackets. Never seen. Always motorized... just to pollute the seas more ... in addition always using the engines in the end they failed and we were at the mercy of the waves in the middle of the sea ... between Corsica and the island of Elba. Without an emergency engine. In this case we finally went sailing!!!!! He said that in this way cetaceans could be better approached. sure. With the noise of the engines. In fact we saw two dolphins by miracle. On the island of Elba instead of stopping in a cove we had to dive into the port! Beautiful. And how many stories to go to Corsica .. travel also provided for by the program. Very bad experience. I couldn't wait to get home. ———— RESPONSE OF THE ORGANIZER ———— Gentile Alessandro, we are very sorry that the experience did not live up to his expectations. The skipper Gianni, on board whose boat he spent the experience, has many years of navigation behind him and always puts the safety of the participants first during navigation; the skipper is also required to have on board safety devices for all crew members, asking to wear life jackets when the navigation conditions could be slightly more challenging. The skipper is responsible for safety and that is why it is essential to listen to him and follow his instructions, both during navigation and at any other time or behavior on board. During a sailing holiday, the itinerary may be subject to change, at the discretion of the skipper, to ensure the safety of all guests on board. When weather conditions allow, sailing is always preferred, making those who wish to participate in maneuvers and activities; in some moments, in the absence of wind, however, it is not possible to open the sails and in order to reach the next stage on time it is possible that motor navigation is also carried out. The skipper Gianni, as well as all the skippers who participate in the project "Le Vele del Panda" care about and share the fundamental values of WWF and contribute to the spread of sustainable tourism, trying to limit their impact as much as possible during navigation.

Read all reviews

Other important information

LIFE ON BOARD
The boat is equipped with 4 comfortable cabins, each with private bathroom and a spacious dinette. All cabins are dedicated to guests, skipper and biologist will occupy the dinette.
The galley will be done by the participants once everyone has arrived at the port; the skipper will give some indications and advice.
On board you will also be able to try your hand at maneuvers, under the guidance of the skipper.
This experience is based on the spirit of sharing, so everyone on board will be involved in the various activities including cooking, tidying up, helping with maneuvers and many others. The atmosphere will be convivial and informal.

WHAT TO BRING
Recommended: car mobile phone charger, soft bags, boat shoes, slippers, fins and mask, sunscreen, biodegradable shampoo and shower gel, oilskin and a great desire to have fun with care and adaptability.
Sheets can be found on board with an extra contribution of €10 per person; alternatively you can bring your own.

HOW TO REACH THE BOARDING PLACE
The port of Nettuno is easily reachable by train; the station is about 500m away.
Alternatively, you can easily reach it by car and park inside the marina, or immediately outside in the paid parking lots.

MEDICAL CERTIFICATE:
To be registered and to claim the medical and baggage insurance provided by the skipper's ASD, it is necessary to provide a medical certificate of non-competitive sporting activity, also provided by the general practitioner.
Membership fee is €10 per person.

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 200-300€ per person.

This is a holiday dedicated to

Brief description of the holiday