Catania: Dolphin Monitoring Sailing Experience with Marecamp

Catania: Dolphin Monitoring Sailing Experience with Marecamp

Water activities Outdoor activities Nature & adventure Tours Dolphin & whale watching Educational activities Safaris & wildlife activities Cruises & boat tours Marine life Water sports

Join the expert team at Marecamp, Sicily's only High Quality Whale Watching accredited provider, and discover the wonders of our local dolphin populations through cetacean monitoring!

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Highlights

We are the only team in Sicily awarded the 'High-Quality Whale Watching' label
Activity purpose is to sustain scientific research for cetacean conservation
Chance to admire the magnificent sea landscape and Mediterranean biodiversity
Be onboard with specialists who have been monitoring the Gulf for over a decade
High probability of dolphin sightings thanks to specialized observers onboard

Description

The observation of cetaceans carried out with Marecamp presupposes compliance with the international code of good conduct approved by the Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black Sea, the Mediterranean Sea and the contiguous Atlantic area (ACCOBAMS). The offer is open to nature lovers, those who dream of meeting dolphins in their natural habitat, and sea and photography enthusiasts. It consists of daily eco-tours (minimum 2,5 hours and maximum 4,5 hours) by dinghy or sailing boat in the Gulf of Catania. Depending on the season, weather conditions and the daily number of participants, our boats set sail from the ports of Catania or Aci Castello (during the autumn-winter season we depart only from Catania). Once on board our boat with skippers and marine biologists, we will go out to sea with the precious information provided on the area explored and the species present. We will look at the horizon, proceeding at low cruising speed in search of a fin, a breath, a jump and any useful clue on the water's surface that signals the presence of animals. The biologists will answer all your marine curiosities, and you will help them fill out the on-board survey forms to collect environmental data. Once the first dolphins have been spotted, we will approach the pod following an international code of conduct that allows us to observe the natural behaviour of the animals, reducing the disturbance we cause to a minimum. They will show you their inevitable aerial behaviour, while you will be ready to immortalise them with photos and videos. Finally, we will leave the pod and return home, remembering what incredible wonder the sea has just given us. Meeting dolphins in the open sea is not easy, so we will have on board the best marine biologists and observers thanks to which our probability of sighting will be very high even if not 100%. In the event of a missed sighting, your contribution will not be reimbursed, you will have nevertheless experienced a pleasant experience at sea. For reasons of animal disturbance and safety of passengers dropped close to wild predators, we will never offer you to swim close to a whale or a dolphin.

Includes

Use of binoculars, cetacean identification cards, and survey sheets onboard. Skipper and marine biologist on board. Information briefing on cetaceans and the monitored area. Guide and continuous description of the observed species. Rental of a dinghy or motor boat or sailing boat of 7.20 m or 14 m depending on the number of passengers and season (compliant safety equipment and life jackets included for all passengers).

Important Information

This experience will only take place in favorable sea-weather conditions. Moreover, a minimum number of travelers is required for this experience. Your ticket will be valid for 7 days from the booked date. We will communicate you, a few days before, the day and time chosen for the tour in the best weather conditions and in order to reach a minimum number of passengers. In case of definitive cancellation due to bad weather or failure to reach the minimum number of guests, you will have a full refund.