Tethys Expeditions

So much more than just whale watching

Observe whales and dolphins while helping researchers

Responsible ecotourism contributing to marine conservation, open to everyone

Meet whales and dolphins not just by whale watching, but by helping researchers concerned with marine conservation; Tethys’ ongoing long term projects have been conceived as citizen science/responsible tourism projects: non-specialists are a valuable help for researchers in the field and their support is essential. Nevertheless no particular skills, nor scientific or nautical experience are required to participants: it takes only good will and enthusiasm to make a difference. Definitely more than whale watching!

You can make a difference!

Christmas discount!

Book now and save 10%

Christmas time discount! Book and pay an expedition before January 10th (offer expires at 23:59 Italian time), and you’ll get a 10% discount on the participation fee.

Add the following coupon to the cart at check out:

xmas

Where

Whales and dolphins are being studied in their natural environment. Tethys runs two long-term projects which are open to the participation of the public: the Cetacean Sanctuary Research in Italy, and the Ionian Dolphin Project in Greece.

Who

Participants are involved in all aspects of fieldwork and management of life aboard the vessel or at the field station. No previous experience is required

When

The field season takes place during the warm Mediterranean summer. Each expedition lasts 6 days: in Italy (Sanremo), they run from May to October, and in Greece (Vonitsa), from June to September.

Discounts

Participants joining for more than one expedition will have a 10% discount in any additional week. Special discounts will apply for students: see the calendar.

Our citizen science programs

Get ready to be part of it!

Cetacean Sanctuary Research

The Cetacean Sanctuary Project (CSR) takes place in the Ligurian Sea, N-W Mediterranean, between Italy and France, within the protected area known as Pelagos Sanctuary for whales and dolphins. Participants’ accommodation is on board a large and comfortable motorsailer.

  • Accommodation

    is on board the the 68 ft motorsailer ”Pelagos“.

  • Target species

    8 different species of whales and dolphins are being investigated, from striped dolphins to sperm and fin whales.

Ionian Dolphin Project

The Ionian Dolphin Project (IDP) is conducted in the coastal waters of Greece, Eastern Ionian Sea, in the Gulf of Ambracia and in the Inner Ionian Sea archipelago. Volunteers are based in the traditional village of Vonitsa and participate to daily surveys at sea on our rigid-hulled inflatable boat equipped with a 100HP outboard engine.

  • Accommodation

    is in a nice two-storey house in Vonitsa, by the seaside

  • Target species

    three species are being studied, the bottlenose dolphins, the common dolphins and the Mediterranean monk seal.

Calendar

(*) expeditions dedicated to teens aged 16-17 (see Terms & Conditions)

Calendar 2027

will soon be available

Cetacean Sanctuary Research

ITALY

Ionian Dolphin Project

GREECE