“An unforgettable experience one should not deny himself in life”
“So much more than just whale watching”
Life on board the boat ‘Pelagos’: this is how our citizen science participant Andrea Geipel describes and sketches the Cetacean Sanctuary Research experience.
Click on the image to download the pdf
As a student of Biology, my curiosity about nature and animal conservation has increased immensely during this trip and it has reaffirmed my desire to work in this field. Data collection is the most basic but also fundamental part of any research. The familiarity of the researchers with the animals was touching and shows their dedication to the protection of the animals within the Pelagos Sanctuary.
The first time I saw a sperm whale’s fluke, when he was diving back down, was an experience that I can’t quite put into words (…) and I thank Tethys for everything they’re doing to protect marine mammals and the world they live in
I came to see the whales and the dolphins, but was just as stunned by the knowledge of the resarchers, the research methods and the techniques behind it
Wir koennen euer Projekt waermstens weiterempfehlen und hoffen, dass sich viele Menschen fuer diese Tiere einsetzen und die Forschungsarbeiten in irgend einer Form unterstuetzen
Not only did I have the chance to watch cetaceans in their environment, free and happy, but I also had professional and passionate people explaining the mysteries of these wonderful creatures to me. Not being a professional in this field but only a lover of the beautiful creatures, I had the chance to learn a lot from these passionate wonderful people who spend their life protecting them.
This week did not only meet my expectations but exceeded it by far. I saw much more dolphins than I expected, I learnt a lot about them and whales as well and – furthermore – I experienced great hospitality by the team. I really felt home and well supported and I am sad to leave so soon!
What a trip! What were the highlights? Masses of dolphins? The majestic finwhales right beside the boat? The interesting lectures about these great species? The sightings and assistance for the researchers or just watching them closely at their important work? Yes, all of it! But the one thing that made the different was this great team that not only has an enormous passion for the marine mammals but as well as for hosting us as the participants and making us really feel part of it. Thank you.
Unfortunately due to the weather we did not have the amount of sightings that I was hoping for, however what we did see and do was an amazing experience. The striped dolphins were fantastic and I learned so much more in the lectures than I thought I would do. I would thoroughly recommend Tethys to anyone having an interest in cetaceans as a very worthwhile project to take part in.
Soaking up sunshine. Sleeping under the stars. Swimming in the waves, and bowriding in the wind. Being part of the crew, and contributing to cetacean research. Meeting fab individuals against the backdrop of a great culture. All of that would have been enough. And then: an unbelievable, shear incredible number of sightings. Never have I been so lucky to see as many different species in such numbers. Jellyfish, flying fish, tuna and sunfish; sea turtle, shearwater, striped dolphins, fin whales, pilot whales and sperm whale; newborns, juvs and old…
It’s my fourth CSR cruise in a row and that’s a reason if I keep coming back here, summer after summer: it’s just one of the best weeks I spend every year, both thanks to the amazing sightings of cetaceans (but also turtles and fish) and the company of the crew and people from all over the world. Every time I come here and I go away with a lot of new experiences in my package and many many more friends. So, thank you to everyone and hope to see you again.
My dad booked this boat trip for me on our trip to Italy since I want to become a marine biologist when I grow up. It was really amazing to see the animals next to the boat instead of from a picture or even an aquarium. It helps make you realize how important these animals are and how we need to protect them.
People, dolphins, food, whales, people, dolphins, food, whales and sometimes sea turtles…
Wonderful time again with Tethys as this is the second time I participated in their projects and they didn΄t disappoint…
J’ai adoré ces vacances de folie en voyant des baleines et des dauphins de près, avec scientifiques très sympas, supers et forts en tout.
Amazing experience! I didn’t know what to expect from this week, but it turned out it was exactly what I wanted to try. Life in a boat, looking for animals who (obviously) are not always willing to be spotted…it was a kind of blue jungle! Thank you to all the people who made this possible: I really admire your passion and your choices.
Beautiful experience, beautiful week. Actually one of my best weeks this year, spent with great people and first class crew. I learned a lot and, at least as important, I’ve experienced a lot. I’ll never forget those days.
Thanks to the crew and the participants.
Wir hatten an Bord der Pelagos eine wundervolle Woche, seeeeeehr viele Finwale, Pottwale, Delphine und Schildkroeten. Ach ja, nicht zu vergessen die Mond-Sonnen-Sterne-wie auch immer Fische. Alle Maedels von Thetys waren sooooo nett, hilfsbereit und kompetent. Die Stunden der “Schicht” auf dem Sonnendeck waren spannend, braeunend und lehrreich. Capitano Roberto war unser Fels in der Brandung. Wir kommern bestimmt wieder und das supergerne.
My 11 year old daughter is very interested in marine biology, and I booked the trip not knowing much about the organization. However, I couldn’t have been more pleased with the time we spent on the boat. It was a perfect mixture of education and fun. The crew were all scientifically knowledgeable and provided context to the many sightings we saw, which made it much more interesting than simply sighting a mammal. The various lectures when we were not looking for animals also provided a more in depth view of the behavior and characteristics of the sea life in the Mediterranean. Moreover, the fact that all participants act as part of the crew, helping with everything from animal watching to cleaning, creates a great team atmosphere. Finally, but perhaps most importantly, the crew could not have been friendlier or more helpful, it really felt like being part of a family for a week!
