Dolphin and Whale Research Expedition
📍Ischia, Italy Come on board for a unique sailing adventure. Become part of the scientific team of a local NGO for the protection of dolphins and whales in the Mediterranean.
Become part of the expedition and research team of a local NGO for the protection and research of the behavior of whales and dolphins in the Mediterranean Sea. You will live on board the ship Jean Gab and support the team in their daily research work.
Your travel price directly supports the financing of NGO work and thus the protection of marine mammals in the Mediterranean.
7 days, 6 nights (Mon-Sun) from 950€
Various packages available
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What awaits you on your research trip
Activities
The days of your stay are dedicated to research activities. You assist with data collection and sailing activities. Participants and researchers take turns in hourly observation shifts until dolphins or whales are sighted. During sightings: filming, collecting behavior data, recording sounds, and photographing for identification. In the evenings, the boat is anchored in Ischia harbor, allowing you to explore the land.
Accommodation
You will spend the night on board the sailing ship Jean Gab. This ocean liner offers spacious exterior and comfortable interior spaces for the crew. The kitchen with large windows is the meeting point for cooking and eating together. Below deck is the sleeping area for 6 participants, the individual beds can be separated by curtains.
Meals
The crew cooks together daily. Food costs are not included and are shared at the end of the stay, approximately €30 per person per day. Please inform us in advance about any intolerances, allergies, or if you follow a vegan/vegetarian diet.
Encounters
Studying dolphins and whales in their natural habitat helps understand key conservation issues. After the expedition, you will have useful knowledge of field research techniques. You will learn not only about whales, their environment, research, and conservation but also about yourself, teamwork, and have meaningful encounters.
FAQ
Who can participate?
In principle, no previous experience is required to help the researchers with the recordings. Your tasks consist of data collection and sailing activities. Any help is welcome and there is a suitable task for every age and gender. You should have a basic level of physical fitness and be able to work in high temperatures and in the open air. If you have a physical or mental disability, participation is possible by prior arrangement with the project coordinators.
What tasks am I expected to do?
In addition to the research work, everyone on board (participants and team members) will be expected to help with daily chores such as shopping, washing up and general maintenance of the boat. Exceptions are the skipper, who will cook, and the first researcher, who cannot take evening shifts as he/she has to check the data collected during the day. At the end of the trip, everyone has to help clean the boat.
Can I get seasick on the trip?
The gentle to rough waves of the Italian Mediterranean not only test the endurance of the ship, but also the well-being of the crew. Seasickness, known as the uncomfortable dizziness caused by the constant movement of the sea, can affect even the most experienced sailor. In this context, the likelihood of getting seasick exists, but is nothing bad and completely normal.
How do I get there?
The island of Ischia is connected to Naples by sea, ferries and hydrofoils. Travel to the project location must be organized by yourself. The socialbnb team will be happy to help you with the planning. International travel is via Naples either by flight or train. From there, you travel to the port of Naples and then take the ferry to Ischia. The expeditions start weekly on Mondays from 16:00. Please make sure that you arrive by this time.
About socialbnb
socialbnb is a Germany based travel company, that offers accommodation and experiences with a social and ecological impact worldwide. By visiting social and ecological projects, you learn more about the respective project work and support it directly through your stay. Since 2021 socialbnb offers a large variety of stays and experiences from social and ecological projects in more than 45 countries and got awarded by multiple international institutions such as the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
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