“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."
Picture this: next Summer you arrive by ferry boat at the lush, green Greek island of Alonissos. Disembark at Patitiri, the picture-perfect port and main town of the island. You are at the heart of the National Marine Park of Northern Sporades. A hide-away for dolphins, the extremely rare Mediterranean Monk Seal and birds like the Eleonora’s falcon. In this idyllic setting (the Mama Mia! movie was shot in this part of Greece) you become part of the dolphin conservationist team. The coming week you will assist researchers at sea during daily dolphin tours.
The day-to-day plan is elaborated below:
On this first day, you arrive by ferry at Patitiri, the port of Alonissos. Meet and greet the marine biologist of the team. Together you walk to your accommodation for this week. In the evening you get your briefing & introduction on Dolphin Conservation in the field station on Alonissos Islandto dolphins and research methods, such as dorsal fin photography and GPS-recording.
Around 7:00 – 8:15 we wake up, have breakfast at the porch of our house, with a stunning sea view. Then, get prepared for the dolphin tour!
Depending on the day’s outcome, usually around 12:00-13:00 there is a lunch break. We cook and eat on board (or enjoy our ready meal), whereas there is also some time for swimming and snorkeling to admire the rich underwater life in this protected marine zone!
There’s plenty of free time to chill and plan your own activities. Maybe visit around the narrow paved streets of the port, visit other villages of the island (few Greek villages match the beauty of Chora), or soak up the sun on one of the fabulous beaches. With rare Eleonora’s Falcons and Dragonflies circling overhead.
18:00 – 20:00: This is your opportunity to become a marine research scientist!
We will meet at the Information Center, and depending on how well our day went, and what material we have to work with we can practice our Photo-identification skills. Alternatively, you attend Eco Educational Seminars or Nature Documentary screening.
Around 20:00 it’s time to savor Greek food, either by cooking in the kitchen of our Project House or by visiting some of the local taverns!
Say goodbye to the team and the other travelers. Please make sure to leave the Dolphin Project House before 4 PM on Sunday. Leave by ferry boat, sail either to Volos or Skiathos Island to catch your flight.
Alternatively, you can extend your stay. The possibilities are endless.
Join this unique opportunity to volunteer in a dolphin conservation project in the Greek National Marine Park of Alonissos.
The 4 species of dolphins that can be found in Greek waters are under threat. Your help is needed to obtain a deep knowledge of their behavior and of their population status and trends. Assist researchers with daily dolphin tours aboard the well-equipped vessel. There is a kitchen and lunch will be prepared aboard (or tasty takeaway). This is not a “live-aboard” though! You will stay in a house on Alonissos with the other participants. Or: book your own accommodation and participate at a discounted rate.
Get introduced in the field station on Alonissos Island to research methods such as dorsal fin photography and GPS-recording. During the evenings there will be lectures by the field biologists on dolphin life history, behavior, and identification, threats faced by marine mammals, and marine research methods.
However, it is not all work that awaits you here. There is time to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of the island, mingle with the locals, savor the yummy local delicacies, swim and snorkel and walk on the old footpaths of the islands in the National Marine Park.
This vacation is suitable for families, solo travelers, couples & friends. Children as young as 11 years old can participate. Group size varies per week. Ranging from between 4 – 12 persons on the boat.
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Price and availability can be further discussed through direct enquiry with Animals around the Globe.
Adult price: 850 EURO
Child price: 750 EURO
As this is a summer tour, and groups are always limited this tour is in high demand.
Dates 2021: June till beginning September – weekly departures
As Sweden has a lot of forest, the typical animals of the forest also live here. These include wild boars, deer and red deer, hares, foxes and badgers. Lynxes, brown bears and wolves slowly reproduce again.
Sweden is not only one of the most scenic and diverse countries in the world, but also one of the least populated. So it’s perfect to recharge your batteries on an unforgettable hiking vacation.
Fill in your details and we’ll get back to you in no time. Get ready for bonding with wildlife and experiencing new sensations.
Due to Covid-19, you can cancel any time with a full refund up to two weeks prior to your trip.
