Break free from your routine and set sail on a transformative 6-day journey along Italy’s breathtaking Mediterranean coastline. This unique sailing adventure blends discovery, conservation, and personal renewal—offering a welcome escape from the demands of daily life.
Program Highlights:
🐬 Contribute to marine conservation by helping collect data on whales, dolphins, and other marine life.
⛵ Learn sailing basics and live aboard a research vessel navigating Italy’s stunning coastline.
🌊 Develop leadership and soft skills such as communication, collaboration, and problem-solving.
🧘 Disconnect from stress and reconnect with yourself through mindful moments at sea.
🌍 Be part of a mission that combines adventure with meaningful environmental impact.
🤝 Form international friendships and expand your personal and professional network.
Step aboard a conservation-focused expedition where you’ll join marine experts in the search for whales and dolphins. As you help track and study these magnificent creatures, your contributions will directly support their protection and the health of the marine ecosystem. It’s a rare chance to make a real impact while experiencing the thrill of encountering wildlife in its natural habitat.
Far from the noise of office life, you’ll gain hands-on experience that fosters key life and leadership skills—teamwork, adaptability, communication, and resilience. Working side-by-side with passionate crew members and fellow explorers, you’ll form connections that extend well beyond the trip.
As the sun sets over crystal waters and the gentle rhythm of the sea carries you forward, you’ll find space for reflection, growth, and renewed clarity. Whether you’re seeking purpose, a new perspective, or simply a pause to recharge, this journey invites you to reconnect—with nature, with others, and with yourself.
More than just a sailing trip, this is an unforgettable opportunity to be part of something meaningful. Return home with new insights, lasting memories, and a revitalized sense of purpose—ready to navigate your career and life with fresh energy and direction.
The Experience
Step aboard the Jean Gab—a sail-powered vessel and floating research lab—for a truly immersive marine conservation experience. As you cruise the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean, you’ll trade the hustle of daily life for a purposeful mission: to protect and better understand the vibrant marine life of this breathtaking region.
This is not your average sailing trip. You’ll become part of an expert-led team conducting hands-on research focused primarily on dolphin behavior, vocalizations, and habitat use. Each day brings new opportunities for discovery, collaboration, and connection—with nature, your peers, and yourself.
Your Role Onboard:
Monitor and study dolphin populations by recording group size, behaviors, geographic positions, and acoustic vocalizations.
Collect valuable data on a variety of marine species including sea turtles, tuna, swordfish, mantas, moonfish, and marine birds.
Use professional equipment to gather and analyze underwater acoustic data—key to understanding dolphin communication.
Support broader ecosystem research, contributing to regional marine protection and conservation initiatives.
Why Join This Expedition?
Live and work aboard a traditional sailing vessel, embracing a hands-on lifestyle full of discovery.
Make a tangible contribution to ongoing marine conservation efforts in the Mediterranean.
Build scientific research and fieldwork skills, from wildlife monitoring to data collection and acoustic analysis.
Experience the charm of Italian culture, savor local cuisine and unwind with a glass of wine after meaningful work.
Swim in crystal-clear waters and explore some of the most stunning coastal scenery in the world.
Whether you’re seeking professional development, a meaningful break from your routine, or an unforgettable conservation adventure, this expedition offers it all. Come aboard, dive into real-world marine science, and return home with lifelong memories—and a story that truly matters.
Logistics
Upon your arrival at Naples (Capodichino) International Airport, you’ll receive clear, concise instructions guiding you to the island where boat awaits. Once you board the vessel, you’ll be warmly welcomed by the dedicated project staff who will be your companions on this remarkable journey.
Your home throughout this adventure will be a shared cabin aboard the cutter ship, complete with basic bathroom and kitchen facilities. For those eager to learn, the crew will gladly teach you the main rigging techniques to sail, such as steering, hoisting, and striking the sails. As your confidence grows, you’ll become familiar with sheets, halyards, the compass, and courses, fostering a deeper connection to the sea and your newfound sailing skills.
Life aboard offers a unique opportunity to embrace a simple, communal, and eco-conscious lifestyle. As you conserve energy and resources alongside your fellow crew members, you’ll develop an appreciation for the fragile beauty of our marine ecosystems and the importance of preserving them for future generations.
While privacy may be limited behind the curtains of the cabins, the vast expanse of sea and sky will provide limitless horizons to explore. Each watch shift offers a chance to savor the tranquility of sailing, fostering personal growth and reflection as you navigate the breathtaking Mediterranean waters.
Join us for a once-in-a-lifetime experience aboard invites you to forge new connections, acquire valuable skills, and embrace an eco-friendly lifestyle. As you journey across the Mediterranean, you’ll not only contribute to marine conservation efforts but also discover a newfound sense of purpose and inner peace.
The Cost of the programme is £1500 GBP per 6 day tour. The tour runs from May to October each year.
This includes;
- Private Accommodation – either onboard or at a nearby hotel
- All meals
- All project-related activities
- Premium Support Package with 24/7 Support
This does not include;
- Flights
- Airport Pickup & transfer to project
- Visas (if applicable)
- Vaccinations
- Travel Insurance
- Personal spending and any extra activities
Testimonials
I went into this, hoping to gain some real-life field experience in either a Marine Biology or Conservation Biology context- and I feel like I really did. It is by no means the most glamorous of placements or experiences, but it is totally authentic. There was a lot of waiting, a lot of looking at open ocean and listening to what at times felt like a completely empty sea, but when we finally did make a sighting or when good quality whistles and clicks were picked up on the hydro-phone, it was beyond satisfying. Even in those moments when you’re not finding anything and you may feel like you’re not making an impact to Cetacean conservation in that area, you realise that the sightings you don’t make or sounds you don’t hear, give as much information as when you do pick up something.
Book a Call
Schedule a free call with us to discuss your exact interests and requirements to help us match you with the perfect project for you.