Ecovolunteering with Blue World Institute | Dolphin Watching      Take part in Adriatic Dolphin Project and spend two weeks in Veli Lošinj, Croatia, helping out in research of bottlenose dolphins. The Adriatic Dolphin Project offers you the opportunity to join our research as eco-volunteers. This is a unique opportunity to experience an encounter with dolphins in their natural surroundings. Eco-volunteers spend twelve days at our base in Veli Lošinj and actively participate in our daily routines. This includes collecting data at sea, preparing equipment and boats, data entry, preliminary analysis of collected data, and preparing presentations etc. The Eco-volunteers reside in the fieldbase with researchers and students and are expected to help with everyday practical tasks such as cooking and household maintenance. This leads to everyday open discussions on topics of marine biology and conservation. Find out more on: http://www.blue-world.org/en/get-involved/volunteer/ or download volunteering information: http://www.blue-world.org/media/files/ADP_Volunteer_info_2014_.pdf MonthsMay • June • July • August • September DurationMulti-day Vessel typesRigid inflatable Times and pricesFollowing are available stages with corresponding prices in 2014. There are 5 places available in each stage. Stages last 12 days arrival on Monday, departure on Friday).
Included in the price:
Not included in the price:
Students - The project recognises the need to look to the future, and offers discount prices on all stages for university students, regardless of nationality and field. Proof of enrolment will be required. About our skippers and naturalist guidesYour hosts are experienced marine biologists with years of experience FacilitiesDeck with 360?vision • Naturalist guide(s) as well as skipper • On-site visitor center / museum • Onboard research • Posters / displays / maps • Swim / snorkel included • Use a code of conduct We frequentlySee leaping dolphins • Watch dolphins only Ocean DolphinsBottlenose Dolphin Other wildlife and points of interestLoggerhead turtles, griffon vultures, common european shag... AddressKaštel 24
Town / CityVeli Lošinj
State / CountyZip / Postcode51551
CountryCroatia (Hrvatska)
WebsiteTel+38551604666
 Jens Ruggaber Eco-volunteering Traveled: 2014-06-02, Reviewed: 2014-07-06
Safe approach to whales / dolphins
Valuable learning experience
Trip meets expectations
Minimal impact on the marine environment
Own research / support for conservation
BLUE WORLD ADP VOLUNTEERING 2014
In early summer 2014 I had the opportunity to join in both volunteer-programs of ADP Losinj and North Dalmatia within just two weeks. About how and where you get involved as a volunteer you find a detailed description on their informative homepage, but there is no proper way to convey the over-all experience, especially being out on the water (weather permitting) surrounded by this impressive natural scenery in search of dolphins - with hopefully numerous (always carefully proceeded) encounters, which vary widely but are just breathtaking each time!! Whereas what can be easily said is that everybody at Blue World - from management to the education desk team - is doing an exceptional job with immense personal effort, highly professional and motivated and yet decidedly friendly and helpful – which is especially true for our volunteer mentors at the time, Tihana and Jure. Thank you so much! The second week with the ADP North Dalmatia: four people on a wooden boat, plain informal and familiar, entirely “being out there” (still plenty of landfall, though). The honorable mobile working station “Anika” allows a maximum of field observation. Due to the outstanding personal dedication, wide experience and special skills of the crew (research and skipper) combined with the wonderful scenery of the study area made for a five-star+++-stage, not by means of luxury, but extraordinary experiences, information, impressions and special quality of boarding and lodging. It’s a small team and as a volunteer you have set tasks plus contribute to keep the whole project running. Markedly thanks to Grga, Isor and of course the many encountered dolphins around the Kornati, it was one of the best weeks of my life (being in my fifties, I think this is considerable)! What I realized during our survey is, regarding the available amount of information, how much we still do not know about dolphins. Yet our gathered data may add a little piece of the puzzle to a greater understanding for these amazing animals. I hope - with the effort of Blue World - this will lead to a soon reactivation and even necessary extension of the marine protected area in the Croatian Adriatic. Jens Ruggaber / Schömberg, Germany / ADP-stage June 02.-13. 2014 Katie Jolly A lovely experience Traveled: 2012-07-23, Reviewed: 2013-05-01
Safe approach to whales / dolphins
Valuable learning experience
Trip meets expectations
Minimal impact on the marine environment
Own research / support for conservation
I thoroughly enjoyed my time volunteering for the Adriatic Dolphin Project. We had the opportunity to work out on the boat collecting data for the project, and gained experience in identifying dolphins. Seeing the dolphins out at sea in their natural habitat was incredible. I enjoyed watching their behaviour and taking my own photos as well as helping with the research programme. Back at the Blue World centre, we were involved in other activities such as computer work and photo identification. My only criticism of this trip is that I found I didn't really learn anything. I wanted to be an eco-volunteer because I study Zoology and I am greatly interested in conservation. However, I did not find this trip challenging enough for me, I felt like I didn't really learn anything, which was one of the aims of the trip. However, I think for someone who is not studying Biology and conservation, this experience will be very valuable and hopefully inspire some people to learn more about marine conservation and animals. The days are not filled with work, so there is plenty of time to explore the island. But there isn't much else to do, so perhaps more work with the centre may be possible. The area is stunning and the experience is certainly one of a kind, with friendly people and nice accommodation. They definitely raised awareness about safe approaches to marine animals and the importance of the marine environment. Their research was also interesting and clearly explained. Definitely an amazing experience.
Matthew Indelible experience (best one ever!) :D Traveled: 2012-06-19, Reviewed: 2013-04-19
Safe approach to whales / dolphins
Valuable learning experience
Trip meets expectations
Minimal impact on the marine environment
Own research / support for conservation
This volunteering trip is literally the best one I’ve ever had. The days I spent on the island were indelible. I got to get close with dolphins in a natural habitat scenario on a speedboat for the first time when they came close to the boat. Before getting to the sea for field observations, I was educated about the research project and the guidelines regarding field observations. As a science student, I found this field-research exposure very rewarding for my future studies. The accommodation’s brilliant! It’s clean and tidy (with excellent view). It’s an awesome experience to live with scientists and interns from different countries. The staff was very friendly and helpful. I’ve made some really great friends there. Personally, as a youngster from Hong Kong, which is a crowded and busy city filled with skyscrapers, the trip was a perfect opportunity for me to relax a bit and get away from the hustle and bustle for some days on that relaxing and gorgeous island. I wish I could stay longer…. The awesomeness of the trip is simply beyond description! I can’t wait to take part in the program again!
Elisabeth Kaiser Makes you want to get there again and again... Traveled: 2011-07-24, Reviewed: 2013-04-18
Safe approach to whales / dolphins
Valuable learning experience
Trip meets expectations
Minimal impact on the marine environment
Own research / support for conservation
A great time of many amazing dolphin sightings, fun with the crew and gaining knowledge during lectures and workshops - all surrounded by the unbelievably pure and beautiful nature of the island of Losinj. Approaching the dolphins always happened cautiously and respecting the guidelines. Nevertheless the dolphins could be observed from the smallest distance since they approach the researchers' boat voluntarily when the engine is off. It was really well cared for the safety of the volunteers. Research appeared to be on a very high qualitative level and relevant. Besides the research, the ngo also raises public awareness for the conservation of the archipelago. Staff was really friendly, enthusiastic and open-minded. The great and diverse experiences made me go there 3 times and hopefully many to follow...
Sarah Fell Fantastic experience Traveled: 2012-08-05, Reviewed: 2013-04-18
Safe approach to whales / dolphins
Valuable learning experience
Trip meets expectations
Minimal impact on the marine environment
Own research / support for conservation
Fantastic Experience.
Plentiful close proximity dolphin encounters, well educated and patient staff, interesting lectures, good weather, good food and good company. Health and safety prioritized and small group sizes added to the experience. Dolphin interaction respectful but fantastic....far exceeded all expectations. Plus..a really great cat. 
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