Escursioni nel Santuario dei Cetacei in Liguria | Whalewatching nel Mediterraneo | Birdwatching nel Golfo Ligure FAQ

IS THE EXCURSIONS SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN?

Absolutely, our excursions are suitable for people of all ages, also thanks to the presence of a covered lounge for those who prefer not to stay in the sun, equipped with tables and benches.

IS THE EXCURSION ALSO SUITABLE FOR PEOPLE ON WHEELCHAIRS?

Yes, you can access the boat with wheelchairs, specifying at the time of booking this requirement to enable us to guarantee the correct assistance. The gangway has a width of 80cm. Also the on-board toilet is accessible.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO CARRY ANIMALS ON BOARD?

No, access to animals is not permitted, with the exception of guide dogs for people with disabilities. If necessary, we recommend that you contact "Le Cat e Dog Sitter" visiting their website: they will take care of your pet during the excursion!

WHAT IS THE BETTER PERIOD TO SEE THE CETACEANS?

There is no better time as the cetaceans are permanent in the Pelagos Sanctuary. The probability of seeing them is therefore constant throughout the year. It is possible to view the complete summary HERE.

IS SIGHTING GUARANTEED?

No, since we are looking for free animals in their natural habitat we can’t guarantee sighting. The experience of our crew and scientific staff makes it possible to reach very high percentages of sightings every year, statistically equal to 95%, but it is always good to keep in mind that, rarely, there are also excursions without spots. In this case it is possible to take part in a new excursion in the same season, taking advantage of a 50% discount.

IS THERE A BIOLOGIST ON BOARD?

Yes, on board there is always a staff of marine biologists, who give an interesting introductive lesson and comment in real time all the sightings made.

COULD WE SWIM TOGETHER WITH THE CETACEANS?

No, in the Pelagos Sanctuary this activity is not allowed, in order to don’t disturb the animals and for safety reasons, since we navigate on the high seas.

WHICH IS THE SIGHTINGS AREA?

Each excursion is different from the previous ones because the crew defines the route based on the sea conditions, the wind and any reports from the research organizations we work with, regardless of the point of embarkation. The whole Ligurian Sea is part of the Pelagos International Sanctuary and therefore the probability of sighting does not vary from one departing point to another.

ARE THE EXCURSIONS CARRIED OUT WITH ANY METEOMARINE CONDITION?

No, it is necessary that the weather conditions are favorable. In case of bad weather or rough sea all the booked passengers are contacted the previous day to be notified of the cancellation.

IS THE RESERVATION REQUIRED?

Yes, booking is always mandatory. All details are available on the specific pages of each excursion. We recommend to book at least ten days before the chosen date.

HOW COULD I PAY?

You shouls pay at the embarkation point, 40 minutes before the departure. The exact point of embarkation and the related ticket office is available on the specific page of each excursion.

IS IT NECESSARY TO BRING A BINOCULAR?

It is not mandatory, because once the animals are spotted the boat approaches them making them visible to the naked eye, but it is possible to bring it to participate more actively in the research phase.

IS A SPECIAL CLOTHING NECESSARY?

No, but we recommend comfortable clothing and appropriate shoes (no heels). Further information can be found in the devoted section on our website.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO HAVE LUNCH ON BOARD?

On the ship there is a small bar where you can buy snacks and drinks, but we suggest you bring a packed lunch. It is possible to view the technical details of our motorboat HERE.

IS THERE A TOILET ON BOARD?

Yes. You could view the technical details of our motorboat HERE.

is it possible to smoke on board?

No. Our consortium joins Tobacco Free Europe, a campaign by European citizens to achieve a tobacco-free Europe and the first European generation free from tobacco by 2030. The initiative includes some specific objectives which aim to implement control strategies of smoking to protect the environment. In particular, we want to create a European network of beaches, river banks and parks free from tobacco and butts, so that these spaces are healthier and more sustainable from an environmental point of view. Cigarette butts are the fourth most common waste on Italian beaches, they are highly polluting, take more than 10 years to degrade and pollute the soil, groundwater and watercourses with tar, lead, mercury, ammonia and other harmful substances, thus poisoning fish and other animals and contaminating the water we drink.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN THAT THE CONSORZIO LIGURIA VIA MARE MOTOR VESSELS ARE CARDIOPROTECTED ZONES?

All the motor vessels of the Consorzio Liguria Via Mare are "Cardioprotected Zones", thanks to the collaboration with New Life Resuscitation, guaranteeing timely intervention if necessary even during whale watching excursions and tours organized by our company. A defibrillator (AED) is always present on board and the crew is trained for use in non-hospital places.