Ischia Dolphin Project | Whale & Dolphin Watching      The Ischia Dolphin Project is composed of highly qualified team members. All of them are happy to share with participants their knowledge and experiences. Participants live on board of the research vessel Jean Gab that preferably navigates under sail. During your staying days will be almost entirely dedicated to the research activities and all participants will take part in the field work. Every day, except for the first and the departure day, will be spent at sea following defined transects depending on the weather conditions. Participants will be asked to help researchers in the collection of data and sailing activities. The study area is well known for its important pelagic biodiversity. The region was described as a feeding ground for fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus), feeding and breeding ground for striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba), Risso's dolphins (Grampus griseus), and social units of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus). At last, the area has been listed in the last IUCN Cetacean Action Plan – www.redlist.org - as critical habitat for the endangered short beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis). Occasionally bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and pilot whales (Globicephala melas) are also encountered. Since 1997 the research focused on the area of the canyon of Cuma, a deep submarine system of canyons located north to the island. Submarine canyons play and important role in biologic events and they are often areas of high biodiversity for their oceanographic characteristics. The presence in this relatively small area of seven different species gives to the project a unique occasion to study and compare the behavioural ecology of the different species. Main goal of the project is the conservation of the habitat used by whales and dolphins, habitat which is always more corrupted and threatened by human activities. The study produced in the years a relevant amount of data that contributed to the establishment of the Marine Protected Area “Regno di Nettuno” (Neptune’s Kingdom) of the islands of Ischia Procida and Vivara with a special protected zone for marina mammals. The volunteers contributed with their work to this success!
MonthsMay • June • July • August • September • October DurationFull day (6-9 hours) • Multi-day Vessel typesLive-aboard boat • Small boat (0-50 passengers) • Under sail / Yacht Times and pricesthe season is from May 19th 2014 until October 19th 2014, the trips start Monday evening and end Sunday after lunchtime, the price inclues accomodation, meals and participation in the research activity. prices adults: low season: € 750.- May 19th until June 22rd and September 15th until October 19th 2014 high season: € 800.- June 30th until September 14th price children and students until 25 years of age: low season: € 630.- May 19th until June 22rd and September 15th until October 19th 2014 in the high season there is no special price for children and students but we offer a family discount of 3% for 3 persons and more daytrips from 8:30 until 19:00 (included breakfast, lunch and dinner onboard, presentation about the project, the species and the research activities, all ship and crew expenses): 90€ for adults and 40€ for kids of the age of 6 years and up
About our skippers and naturalist guidesthe crew is mostly Italian but they all speak good English, the up to six guests onboard are international, the dog Berta is Italian and an expert in finding dolphins :) FacilitiesAccess to wheelhouse • Deck with 360?vision • Hands-on materials (bones, shells etc) • Naturalist guide(s) as well as skipper • On board hydrophone • On board video • On-site visitor center / museum • Onboard research • PA system • Posters / displays / maps • Public participation in research • Reading material available • Restrooms / toilets on board • Scenic backdrop to encounters • Snacks / drinks • Support conservation • Swim / snorkel included • Use a code of conduct We frequentlyListen to whales and dolphins • See a whale's tail • See leaping dolphins • See leaping whales • Watch whales and dolphins Baleen WhalesFin Whale Toothed WhalesShort-finned Pilot Whale • Sperm Whale Ocean DolphinsBottlenose Dolphin • Risso's Dolphin • Short-beaked Common Dolphin • Striped Dolphin AddressPorto
Town / CityCasamicciola, Isola di Ischia
State / CountyCampania
Zip / Postcode80074
CountryItaly
WebsiteTel+49-(0)40-78807848
 Jade Best Experience I've ever had Traveled: 2013-08-26, Reviewed: 2013-08-23
Safe approach to whales / dolphins
Valuable learning experience
Trip meets expectations
Minimal impact on the marine environment
Own research / support for conservation
I am 21 and I have just come back from this trip and it was the best experience I have ever had. Being able to see wild dolphins was incredible and a wonderful experience. The crew were all very knowledgeble and passionate about the marine mammals and recognised the importance of protecting these beautiful creatures. I loved living on the boat and learning all about it. I would recommend this project to anyone because it is such a good experience. I hope to be able to go back myself again in the future :)
Patsy Morgan Just an Amazing Experience Traveled: 2013-08-05, Reviewed: 2013-08-13
Safe approach to whales / dolphins
Valuable learning experience
Trip meets expectations
Minimal impact on the marine environment
Own research / support for conservation
Watching these wonderful mammals in their own natural environment is a wonderful experience and something I would recommend to everyone. I just love the passion and work dedicated by the research team in the conservation of dolphins and wales and to know that someone is doing something to protect and monitor the species. The time spent by the researchers to talk to the volunteers about the different species, their work, the equipment used and the future research was extremely interesting.
There was never a dull moment and the life on the Jean Gab yacht was enchanting. Angelo the captain not only made our voyage enjoyable but he is also very passionate about conservation as well. Thank you Angelo. I would definately go again. Patsy Izzy I was so sad to leave!! Traveled: 2013-08-05, Reviewed: 2013-08-07
Safe approach to whales / dolphins
Valuable learning experience
Trip meets expectations
Minimal impact on the marine environment
Own research / support for conservation
I had a fantastic week living on the gorgeous Jean Gab boat. I only went for one week as it was my first time travelling alone, but I wish I attended the project for two weeks. During my time there, I saw a fin whale, a pod of 80-100 striped dolphins, huge jumping tuna fish and flying fish. We swam in the open sea and snorkelled in a secluded bay. The boat crew and five other volunteers were so friendly and I felt right at home on the first evening; I am planning on keeping in contact with all the friends I made. There was also the bonus that the captain had a small dog who everyone adored. The crew really encourage everyone to get involved with the research and sailing of the boat and the way the research was carried out ensured that there was no impact on the marine environment, yet we could get so close to the animals. An amazing experience and I hope to go again.
Sven O sole mio Traveled: 2013-07-15, Reviewed: 2013-08-06
Safe approach to whales / dolphins
Valuable learning experience
Trip meets expectations
Minimal impact on the marine environment
Own research / support for conservation
Jean Gab is a phantastic and magical place for me.
Stefan What a wonderful week Traveled: 2013-07-01, Reviewed: 2013-08-04
Safe approach to whales / dolphins
Valuable learning experience
Trip meets expectations
Minimal impact on the marine environment
Own research / support for conservation
We (my wife, myself and our two kids - 6 and 4 years old) had a wonderful week on Jean Gab. We was fascinated from the Ischia Dolphin project. Angelo (skipper), Carlotta (biologist), Nicola (seaman) and Mary (assistent) made a really good job. Always friendly, always funny with the kids, cooking so good italian food.
We saw striped dolphins and common dolphins. That was very nice. We have to come back to see the sperm whales also. It will be a pleasure. Best regards to Angelo and his Crew Stefan (Bremen, Germany) Martina It's magic to join the Ischia Dolphin project on board of the Jean Gab Traveled: 2012-07-09, Reviewed: 2013-08-03
Safe approach to whales / dolphins
Valuable learning experience
Trip meets expectations
Minimal impact on the marine environment
Own research / support for conservation
It's magic to join the Ischia Dolphin project on board of the Jean Gab with Angelo (skipper), Carlotta (biologist) and Berta (the dog).
It was my first dolphin trip and I saw many striped dolphins playing, jumping and socializing. They joined us for hours and we were awfully happy. During this trip I saw no whales and on some days we couldn't go out because of the weather conditions. That's the difference to commercial trips - you only go out if you have a chance to see animals. The crew made our days an experience. They all love the animals, we learned a lot, went to the beach for swimming and snorkeling. In the evening we had fresh fish made by the skipper's secret recipe. I could highly recommend this trip! Kind regards from Hamburg, Martina Anita again and again Traveled: 2013-06-10, Reviewed: 2013-08-03
Safe approach to whales / dolphins
Valuable learning experience
Trip meets expectations
Minimal impact on the marine environment
Own research / support for conservation
It's wonderful, so wonderful... I couldn't imagine, that there are big whales and so different kind of dolphins in the Mediterranean Sea.
I joined the Ischia Dolphin Project the second time and I'm sure, not the last time. Each trip was different, but I will not forget one of it. One time playing and socializing dolphins (striped dolphins, risso`s dolphins) near the boat. The other time hunting and eating dolphins (bottlenose dolphins), not interesting in us, but very interesting for me. A total different behaviour, fascinating. And Angelo, the skipper, see everything. „Eagle-Eye-Angelo“ I call him. He knows „his“ Thyrrhenian Sea inside out and all about the big and small animals there. And also the crew. With a lot of respect, slowly and nearly calm (setting sail or electric motor) we approached to the animals, not to disturb them. But near enough to be able to get scientific informations. And this is the way I like to watch animals and learn a lot about them. And therefore I will support this organization again and again. A last thing: I met a lot of interesting people of different nations and had a lot of fun. And it's not a disadvantage, that Angelo is a small gourmet. Joshua Ebner The sea always seems to put me at ease Traveled: 2013-08-05, Reviewed: 2013-08-02
Safe approach to whales / dolphins
Valuable learning experience
Trip meets expectations
Minimal impact on the marine environment
Own research / support for conservation
Instead of a review, i will give you a turn-by- turn direction how to get into (my personal) heaven. 1. Head to Neapel 2. Head to Ischia 3. Find the harbour where the Jean Gab is located. 4. Done.
It was my second time joining the team of the Ischia Dolphin project and one of the most important things to say is, that when you decide to go there you will meet amazing and interesting people, see the most beautiful marine mammals (important for me as a biology student) and have the time of your life. Don't think about whether to go there or not. Just do it. It is a beautiful place where sometimes, when the fluke of a whale breaks the water surface near the boat, time stands still. Josh Barbara Link The Road To Escondido Traveled: 2013-08-05, Reviewed: 2013-08-02
Safe approach to whales / dolphins
Valuable learning experience
Trip meets expectations
Minimal impact on the marine environment
Own research / support for conservation
It was the first time for my daughter and me to join the team of the Ischia Dolphin project and I must confess I shed some tears when we had to leave and saw them all waving from their dinghy following our ferry. It took us three days to get a first glance of a dorsal fin which turned out to be one of almost a hundred striped dolphins. Such an awesome feeling to watch them, jumping, sliding, showing their bellies, turning around each other. We spent three hours with them and I certainly won't forget the atmosphere on boat, too - our amazement, our concentration, not getting tired of the scenes around us.
But even the days before the atmosphere on board the "Jean Gab" was fascinating, when we were just surrounded by the sounds of the waves, the wind, the hydrophone, Berthas (Angelos dog) four feet and our tension when we kept an eye on the sea. So: It wasn't the last time for us - we met beautiful animals (did I mention "our" finwhale, about 20 metres long?) and wonderful wonderful people! Wondering about the title of the review? Angelo, il capitano, paid tribute in the evening to the late great J..J. Cale - "All my life, I've been waitin', for this time." 
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