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+
Show all
Boat & Classes of Service
Westegard Boats Schooner 60 - 2016
Type
Sailboat
Length
18.14 m.
Toilets
2
Cabins
4
10+
Show all
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
What you will find on board
outdoor equipment
tender/dinghy
outboard engine
bimini/awning
deck shower
cockpit cushions
cockpit table
teak cockpit
teak deck
bow sundeck
extra comforts
heating
electric toilet
skipper cabin
kitchen
fridge
double refrigerator
freezer
oven
cooker
leisure activities
paddleboard/SUP
snorkeling equipment
diving equipment
navigation equipment
External cartographic GPS
Internal cartographic GPS
VHF
onboard energy
inverter
220V electric socket/power socket
USB jacks
solar panels
Our itinerary
Our trip starts here:
Talamone, GR, Italia.
Check-in: 6:00 PM
Our trip ends here:
Talamone, GR, Italia.
Check-out: 3:00 PM
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.
Whale watching mini-cruise with WWF guide between Liguria and the French Riviera
07/15/2025
Tecla V.
-
Italy
Very nice and competent WWF skipper and popularizer.
Pleasant trip. travel companions too
I don't give 5 stars for the simple fact that on the poster presenting the trip it was written return at 4 pm on Sunday, while in reality the trip ended in the morning at 9., and having known it I would have organized myself better with the means of transport.
Skipper
Boat
Destination
Whale watching mini-cruise with WWF guide between Liguria and the French Riviera
07/14/2025
Valentina D.
-
Italy
A super empathetic, prepared and helpful WWF guide, a person who loves his job and transmits enthusiasm to others as well; we learned a lot of interesting things,
Skipper also super recommended for sympathy, availability and professionalism in dealing with any unforeseen events.
Small note not addressed to the guide who had to comply with the directives, Unfortunately the last of the 3 days we had to go, for research needs, to an area with little probability of sighting, where in fact we did not see anything; Personally, since it was a holiday of only 3 days, I would have avoided losing one.
Anyway super recommended.
Skipper
Boat
Destination
Whale watching mini-cruise with WWF guide between Liguria and the French Riviera
07/14/2025
Angelica C.
-
Italy
It was a very beautiful experience, thanks to Andrea and Nicola for allowing us to live it and for the emotions we shared together.
An experience that I recommend to everyone!
Skipper
Boat
Destination
Whale watching cruise with WWF guide between Elba, Pianosa and the canyons of Corsica
07/14/2025
Simone O.
-
Italy
Good morning
I'm Simone, what can I say, first of all I had wanted to have a different experience than usual and meet new people, and it happened,
The one from the sailboat was a fantastic experience where thanks to Silvia, Paolo and Dario they were able to show us the cetaceans, because we were not able to see the whales as well.
Silvia was a professional person in her work as a wwf, when it was time to explain or let us watch videos on cetaceans with her PC she was very clear and always chose the right time to give us a lesson not too long or too short, the right I would say and not every day.
I would add that Silvia has always made herself available and interested if everything was fine in general or if we understood her about what she explained to us. WELL DONE SILVIA AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
Paolo, our captain of the sailboat, was a clear person from the start, direct and above all hospitable to us.
what about Paolo, who is a professional person, who immediately perceives that the sea is his whole life, and wants to pass on his knowledge and his passion as a sailor to others. GAZIE MILLE PAOLO
Dario is the captain's helper, a young guy, helpful and with a great desire to do and learn, and one of the company.
I conclude by thanking you and that I would have stayed another 2 or 3 days more.
I'm recommending it to all my friends to have such experiences.
Have a nice day and see you next time.