Whale Watching on the island of Elba in the largest marine park in Europe

Tuscany waters constitute a complex set of marine ecosystems of remarkable naturalistic and scientific peculiarities as well as including areas of high cytological interest, both as a transit area and due the presence of sedentary species. On the basis of recent studies, 8 out of 11 sedentary  Mediterranean species are found in Tuscan waters: striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba), common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus), long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas ), goose-beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris), sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) and finback whale (Balaenoptera physalus). The species most frequently spotted are bottlenose and striped dolphins. The Tuscan Archipelago sea, safeguarded by the institution of an homonymous National Park and part of Pelagos International Cetaceans Sanctuary, includes complex varieties of coastal and pelagic marine ecosystems, of great naturalistic interest.

Sailing in search of dolphins and whales among the cetacean sanctuary is exciting. Spotting cetaceans, requires patience and continuous observation of the sea surface trying to catch sight of unusual ripples, puffs, splashes and fins; that is why windless days with a calm sea are the most ideal. There are no schedules, appointments nor programs when searching for animals free to move in the open sea and able to cover long distances. This means being prepared to spend many hours sailing, but also that even one only sighting provides such intense emotions to remain etched in our memory for life.

In such context, Il Viottolo organizes one or more days long whale watching voyages in search and observation of these wonderful sea inhabitants, keeping in mind that even less fortunate outings, will leave however a memory of a nice trip out at sea.