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
Sailboat
Length
18.14 m.
Toilets
2
Cabins
4
10+
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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.
Dolphins & Whales cruise with WWF guide – Ligurian Sea
07/6/2025
Pierluigi T.
-
Italy
Tutto come da programma.
Sabrina e Patric professionali, disponibili, gentili e simpatici.
Gruppo ok, esperienza positiva
Grazie
Skipper
Boat
Destination
Whale watching cruise with WWF guide between Elba, Pianosa and the canyons of Corsica
07/2/2025
Veronica S.
-
Italy
Era proprio quello di cui avevi bisogno! Tanto mare, nuove esperienze e persone meravigliose! Silvia,Paolo e Dario, che ci hanno accompagnato in questo viaggio, si sono dimostrati super prepararti, professionali e hanno fatto di tutto per rendere questa esperienza perfetta! C'è stata tanta collaborazione tra di noi, dal tenere in ordine la barca, al cucinare tutti insieme, al decidere giorno per giorno quello che sarebbe stato il programma della giornata. Non mi sono sentita semplice una cliente ma parte integrante dell'equipaggio, il che ha reso tutto ancora più autentico!
Abbiamo anche avuto molta fortuna con il meteo e abbiamo fatto un sacco di avvistamenti di vario tipo :) consiglio questa esperienza a tutti quelli che amano il mare, che hanno voglia di imparare e esplorare 😍
Skipper
Boat
Destination
Whale watching cruise with WWF guide between Elba, Pianosa and the canyons of Corsica
06/30/2025
Carla M.
-
Italy
Vacanza incredibile! Abbiamo fatto il bagno in calette meravigliose e siamo andati in mezzo al nulla in cerca dei cetacei riuscendo a fare avvistamenti quasi tutti i giorni, ogni volta bellissimi! Ma il merito della riuscita di questa vacanza va sicuramente alla ciurma, con paolo, silvia e dario che sono riusciti a trasmetterci tutto il loro amore per il mare e la vela, ed anche a tutti gli altri partecipanti con cui siamo entrati subito in sintonia. L'unica pecca è la durata, forse qualche giorno in più sarei rimasta
Skipper
Boat
Destination
Whale watching cruise with WWF guide between Elba, Pianosa and the canyons of Corsica
06/29/2025
CHIARA B.
-
Italy
Esperienza emozionante (indimenticabili i grampi e mamma e cucciolo di tursiope che nuotono in sincrono). Un grazie particolare a Paolo Silvia e Dario che ci hanno trasmesso la
loro passione per il mare e per questi bellissimi animali. Chiara e Raffaele.