Wildlife conservation and community volunteer projects and internships worldwide

Dolphin & Whale Volunteer Research Project, Italy

1 - 4 weeks from

£750
16+
minimum age

  • Research the spectacularly large fin and sperm whales in the Mediterranean
  • Live on a 70 ft sailing boat and spend your days out at sea researching cetaceans
  • Work alongside marine biologists who are passionate about whales and dolphins
  • Experience dolphins bow riding and playing with the waves as you cruise by

Fin whale next to boat in Italy

Food, Lodging and Travel

During your experience, you will be aboard a comfortable 21m sailing boat, which hosts 16 persons in five cabins: two single beds in the bow sharing one bathroom (for the skipper and head researcher), two four-bed cabins and a very large room for six (two double and two single beds); each with private bathroom, shower and hot water.  Volunteers take it in turn to cook with a staff member every night.  Please note that those with special diets can also be catered for.

In case of unfavourable weather or harsh sea conditions, the boat stays in the harbour or in a sheltered bay. Participants may decide to stay on board assisting the researchers with data analysis and computer work (e.g. photo-identification of cetaceans) and attending the lectures held by the staff, or they may visit the surrounding area.

Volunteers on board the boat in ItalyHow to get there

Boarding is in the harbour of Portosole, Sanremo (Imperia), where the boat, the “Pelagos” is moored. Sanremo is a small town located along the Italian Riviera, a few km from the Italy-France border. It can be reached by train, by car, or by plane. The closest international airports are Nice (France), about 60 km to the west, and Genova (Italy), about 140 km to the east. From both airports there are bus services to the train station, where it is possible to take a train to Sanremo. Several national airlines and low-cost airlines fly to Genoa and/or Nice from all over Europe, including www.transavia.comwww.ryanair.com and www.blu-express.com.

Dolphin & Whale Volunteer Research Project, Italy

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