Follow a manual added link
Donate to support our work
Best gift ever
Best gift ever for Christmas: get a personalized voucher at 450€ and the lucky ones receiving the present will be able to freely choose their participation dates and their destination, Greece or Italy. They will be in the field, helping the researchers.
The 10% discount on the total fee will be applied at the payment of the difference.
Book now and save 10%
Christmas time discount! Book an expedition before January 16th, and you’ll get a 10% discount on the participation fee.
Add the following coupon to the cart at check out:
xmas-23
Help cetaceans conservation
This Christmas consider the possibility of making a donation to our research projects, the Ionian Dolphin Project in Greece and the Cetacean Sanctuary Research in Italy. With a donation you can help us protect whales, dolphins and seals and their environment!
During the COVID-19 pandemic, in an effort to slow down the spread, many countries are applying temporary restrictions on travel from countries outside the EU by closing borders. Some countries have also applied national border closures and/or border checks at their borders or when moving between different regions at the national level. These restrictions are subject to a continuous evaluation of the epidemiological situation by countries and they change frequently.
If you intend to travel in the EU, including Greece and Italy, check the European Commission Re-open EU web platform containing real-time information on borders, available means of transport and tourism services in the Member States (choose the country from the menu available).
Please refer to the dedicated pages for more detailed information about travel, anti-covid measures adopted at Tethys’ projects and useful links
Book now your next season!
The dates for the research season 2024 in the Ligurian Sea (NW Mediterranean), from May to October, are available. Help researchers on board the motorsailer “Pelagos” and learn first hand about the conservation of marine mammals in the Mediterranean.
Field research in Greece
The dates for the research season 2024 in the Ionian Greece, from June to September 2024, are now available. Enjoy a wonderful experience with monk seals and dolphins helping their conservation!
Unexpected surprise!
Best gift ever: get a voucher and the lucky ones receiving the present will be able to freely choose their participation dates (2023) and their destination, Greece or Italy. They will be in the field, helping the researchers.
Donation campaign
Help us to ensure a long-term viability to the marine mammals in the eastern Ionian Sea
Donation campaign
Contribute to the safeguard of cetaceans with a donation. In return … choose “your” sperm whale flukes.
this year give it to Tethys!
Donate the 5×1000 and support Tethys’ 30-year commitment for the marine mammals in the Mediterranean. It has no cost and it can make the difference for the research and the conservation of these beautiful animals and their environment.
Monk seals and dolphins in Greece
Participating in the Ionian Dolphin Project is an unforgettable experience with marine mammals in the wild, side by side with Tethys researchers! The new dates (from June to September) are available
Meet whales and dolphins not just by whale watching, but by helping researchers concerned with marine conservation
The dates for the next research season in the Ligurian Sea (NW Mediterranean) and Ionian Greece, from May to September 2023, will soon be available. Please stay tuned!
Last minute opportunities
Team IDP 12 (3 – 9 Septemer 2023) has still a few places available at a special last-minute fee (580 Euro). Don’t miss this great opportunity to join us in Greece!
In this moment no last minute offers are available!
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 confortable motorsailer.
The Ionian Dolphin Project (IDP) is conducted in the coastal waters of western Greece, in the Gulf of Ambracia and in the Inner Ionian Sea archipelago. Project participants are based in the traditional village of Vonitsa and participate to daily surveys at sea on board of our rigid-hulled inflatable boat.
is on board the the 68 ft motorsailer ”Pelagos“.
every monday, from May to September from Sanremo, Italy .
8 different species, of whales and dolphins are studied, from striped dolphins to sperm and fin whales.
is in a nice two-storey house in Vonitsa, by the seaside
every Sunday, from June to September
Main two species subject of study are bottlenose and common dolphins. Other marine animals frequently observed are striped dolphins, sea turtles and Mediterranean monk seals.
Participants enjoyed our expeditions since 1991
Km surveyed
Days spent at sea
Sightings of marine mammals
The Tethys Research Institute is a non-profit research organisation supporting marine conservation through science and public awareness, founded in 1986 and headquartered at the Civic Aquarium of Milano, Italy. Tethys’ main goal is the conservation of the marine environment, achieved through the provision of scientific knowledge to conservation policy, the participation in the international conservation process, and public awareness. Over almost three decades of work, Tethys has generated one of the largest datasets on Mediterranean cetaceans and communicated the results of its research in hundreds of scientific publications. In 1991 Tethys was the first to conceive and propose the creation of an iconic protected area, the Pelagos Sanctuary for the Conservation of Mediterranean Marine Mammals, the world’s first to be established beyond national jurisdiction. Since 1987 Tethys has involved thousands of people from all over the world as research volunteers in its conservation activities. Funding to Tethys derive from government and EC grants, private donors, and contributions from research volunteers. The work of Tethys is based on the collaboration of approximately 30 associates and assistants.
Befriend a sperm whale from the Pelagos Sanctuary or donate its friendship to someone you love for Christmas time. With this symbolic gift you will support the research and conservation of Mediterranean cetaceans through the Tethys Research Institute.