Northern Aegean Dolphin Project in Greece

Read 14 reviews

5.00 Rating

Leave a Review

Location

Greece

Project Types

Arts Conservation Environmental Conservation Marine Conservation Wildlife Conservation Education Professional Development

View Other Details

Program Details

Language

English

Housing

Apartment Hostel

Pricing

Starting Price

500

Price Details

The cost includes training seminars, daily field surveys at the National Marine Park of Alonissos Northern Sporades, full accomodation, breakfast and lunch (which is usually served on-board), partial insurance while on board the research vessel and memorabilia!
Regarding dinner, the house has a fully equiped kitchen and participants are encouraged to cook together and exchange experiences. There is provision for vegeterians; strictly vegans might not be possible to be accomodated at all times, so they should make their own diatery arrangements.
Participants should make their own arrangements concerning traveling to and from Alonissos island (Greece). It should be noted that each participant should make a personal travel insurance, which will protect her/him from various issues/problems that might occur, such as trip cancellation, medical expenses etc.. MOm provides partial insurance only while participants are on board and only during the field expeditions.

Last Updated: Dec 04, 2017

Last Reviewed: Oct 15, 2018

Wish List

65 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Support basic research on dolphin populations at the National Marine Park of Alonissos, N.Sporades, Greece.

The "Northern Aegean Dolphin Project” is a 'work for a cause' program designed and implemented by MOm/Hellenic Society for the Study and Protection of the Monk Seal. In a time of intense economic hardship, especially for NGOs in Greece, the longevity of this research project solely depends upon the subscription revenues of its participants.

Participants will have the opportunity to get actively involved in basic-research efforts and techniques in order to monitor the local dolphin populations, while attending evening training seminars, guided and assisted by MOm’s expert staff.

The project is carried out in the wider area of the National Marine Park of Alonissos, Northern Sporades (Greece), which is currently one of the largest marine protected areas in Europe (approximately 2.260 km2), hosting various marine mammal species.

Request Info

Video and Photos

View All Photos

Related Programs

Program Reviews

5.00 Rating

based on 14 reviews

Leave a Review

Rating Spread Volunteer

5 rating 100%
4 rating 0%
3 rating 0%
2 rating 0%
1 rating 0%

Impact 4.95
Support 5
Fun 4.65
Value 4.95
Safety 5

Showing 1 - 8 of 14 reviews

I joined the Northern Aegean Dolphin Project in July for one week and immediately regretted for not spending more time there! It was probably one of the best time in my life. I came there for my career break, with an exhausted mind and body, and left Alonissos with a refresh mind, totally forgot about whatever I had in Hong Kong, the hastle busy work life.

Kimon has been so helpful in and out of the programme, he made me feel home. As an marine biologist expert, Kimon explained to me issues of dolphins and sea lives. 🏖️🐳🐬We went on boat looking for dolphins, had lunch on the boat and spent the rest of the time swimming at the sea. How amazing life was!!! 😍He showed me around the island. I met a brunch of Greek volunteer young people there and had a wonderful time with them touring around the island of Alonissos. :)

Alonissos is a beautiful heaven on earth with clearest water, nicest people. Small and sweet island life, Kimon said you will be able to recognise most of the people on the island if you are spending like 2 weeks there! Endless to talk about for this programme. 😌 Definitely recommend it to everyone!!!

My brother and I had an amazing time participating in this program.
The people behind the Northern Aegean Dolphin Project are MOm/Hellenic Society for the Study and Protection of the Monk Seal it is a not-for-profit, non-governmental environmental organisation, established in 1988. MOm's mission is "the protection of the marine and coastal environment, focusing on the critically endangered Mediterranean monk seal".
Here we go
It was a full week starting from breakfast in the morning with the group then down to the “ Odysseia “ boat and the adventure got under way.

I was planning to write an in-depth review then I thought actions speak louder than words.
WE HAVE BOOKED FOR 2017

We spent everyday on board of The Odyssey, the research boat, looking out over the waves for the dorsal fins of dolphins. Once found, you get to see how they document the sighting with underwater cameras, drones, and the boat's recording equipment. Then in the evening, it was the interns job to sort out the photos taken, crop them and group them into individuals. On days when we didn't see dolphins, we would go swimming or hiking around the Sporades.The staff are really friendly and full of character, and are very willing to help. Getting to the islands are a bit expensive, but it is definitely worth it, and its wonderful to be able to support MOm!

It was an amazing experience! I loved that we spend so much time on the boat exploring the sea. The programm is very well organised, the people working for it are very friendly and the island of Alonissos is beautiful. It's a great experience for someone who is interested in marine life!

I went to Alonissos in late July 2015 in order to participate for 1 week in the NADP. Overall, the experience was very fulfilling and exceeded my expectations! I would highly recommend the program to anyone and especially to marine biology students! The marine park is wonderful with abundant wildlife; specifically we observed two distinct types of dolphins (several times) and even two cuvier's whales besides numerous species of rare sea birds! The MoM staff are all very nice, experienced, knowledgeable and helpful people, experts in their respective fields and have been instrumental in making this an unforgettable experience for everybody! The island of Alonissos is amazing, green and peaceful, with amazing beaches, delicious food and opportunities for activities such as scuba diving and trekking!

The Northern Aegean Dolphin Project , was a great experience as I had the chance to come closer to dolphins and the opportunity to learn more about their lifes and their breeding from the staff of MOM . The program did offer a lot to the persons that took part to it . What I really remember from this is the seesight from the boat when we were seeking out for dolphins but most of all I remember the dolphins swimming aroung us and play with us like kids . It was amazing .

What would you improve about this program?

Well , if I had the chance to change something it would be to last more than a week

As i was planning to take part in a dolphin research programm after my diploma for about three years or more , i really couldn't wait and tried to figure out everything before the trip started :) I was happy and suprised that there was an almost new programm in the area of alonissos- an island i badly wanted to go back to since i was 12 because of it's beautiful old village and the hidden coves i once get to knew- really a wonderful location. it was absolutely worth it to wait years for this experience and i don't regret having studied zoology with the goal of environmental protection and animal conservation and maybe joining someday a beautiful organisation like MOm with so kindharted colleague and passionated scientist if i'm lucky enough.The eye of a nearby swimming, bow-riding dolphin looked me right in the eyes and it's like feeling the beauty of nature in a moment like this ! Not only that the sightings of different dolphin species, turtles, sea birds (it's also impossible to see Monk seals) and visits of islands and coves around alonissos were exciting and fullfilling- there were a lot of kind people to meet, join and go out with in the evening. The programm leader of the NADP comes up with a lot of interesting information (in lectures and anytime you have questions) about the environment and the marine mammals jn the marine park and is a sweetheart as well :) ! The captain of the boat has an amazing knowledge about the area , is fun and also protecting everybody on board getting sick. (Which is not really a problem on board) The programm is absolutely well organized and i recommend MOm and the NADP to everybody looking for an amazing experience.
Take part and enjoy this beautiful place- I loved it !

What would you improve about this program?

One week is too short. The NADP broshure could mention that it is all organized for breakfast and snacks, water etc.

My fiance and I had a fantastic time participating in Mom's dolphin research project in the National Marine Park of Alonissos. Every day was filled with a new adventure as we searched for dolphins and whales. In addition to the research there were many unforgettable experiences. Our living accommodations, meals, historic sights, swimming in secluded coves with warm crystal clear water, and expert staff made this an experience we will never forget.

Highlights include learning about the various dolphins and whales that inhabit the region, observing bow-riding dolphins while aboard the research vessel and sighting rare and elusive Cuvier's beaked whales.

The NADP is a very worthy project and the information they collect will help in the future protection and conservation of the dolphins and whales occurring the region. I give the project my highest recommendation and encourage participation for an extremely rewarding experience.

Finally, I want to give special thanks to Niki, the project leader, for her expert guidance in all aspects of the work and to Costas the highly skilled skipper of the research vessel.

Questions & Answers

What was your average day like?

We woke up early in the morning and we started our journey on the boat so we could search for dolphins until around 3-4 in the afternoon. We ate on the boat and if we had time we went swimming. After that we had some free time and then we all gathered in the house so we could tale a look and analyze the pictures we took. In the end when we had finished with the data we took the rest of the day off...

By Victoria Basbas on September 29, 2015

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

What position do you hold at MOm? What has been your career path so far?

I am a newcomer at the scientific team of MOm/Hellenic Society for the Study and Protection of the Monk Seal, working as the Coordinator of the Northern Aegean Dolphin Project, a recently launched research program on dolphin population monitoring at the National Marine Park of Alonissos Northern Sporades, Greece (MNPANS).

For the past four years I have been working in various Greek not-for-profit, non-governmental organizations. I find it very fascinating, as it is also hard, trying to influence and educate the public on matters of environmental conservation. When my work involves the sea and marine life, my everyday life becomes even more interesting.

Did YOU volunteer abroad? If so, where and what inspired you to go?

Unfortunately, I have never had the chance to volunteer abroad, since I needed to stay in Greece and work the moment I finished with my studies. Many interesting projects have come to my attention involving volunteer work abroad, either providing humanitarian aid or getting involved with environment-oriented activities, such as field research, environmental education etc.

So, since I could not afford to participate in such a venture abroad I decided to work in one, the Northern Aegean Dolphin Project. It is a project that has been inspired by other successful and interesting volunteer programs both in Greece and abroad, and tries to provide the volunteer with an invaluable experience not only in matters of the actual work on board and back on land, but also regarding the relationships built among participants and the local community and the exchange of notions.

View Entire Interview

What does the future hold from MOm – any exciting new programs to share?

MOm will continue to have a strong presence in Mediterranean Monk Seal conservation and research. We are currently involved in two EU funded LIFE+ Projects; the “Thalassa” project (means ‘sea’ in Greek), which is an awareness campaign for the conservation of marine mammals in Greece, and the “CYCLADES LIFE” project aiming to establish a model marine Protected Area in the wider area of the Gyaros island (Greece).

At the same time, we have recently launched the “Northern Aegean Dolphin Project”, a work for a cause volunteer project, on dolphin sightings and population monitoring in the National Marine Park of Alonissos Northern Sporades (NMPANS), Greece. Dolphin sightings are common in the NMPANS, however there are no systematic research efforts. People interested in supporting the project, will join MOm’s research team and be actively involved in daily field surveys at sea, collecting important data on dolphin populations.

What about the future of the industry? How do you think volunteer abroad will change over the next 10 years?

There is certainly going to be an accelerated need of people willing to offer their services, and quite often provide economic support, on volunteer projects in general. Many countries, some in the spectrum of the “developed” ones, are in a social turmoil; injustice and impoverishment are intensifying, social health infrastructures are degrading. At the same time environmental conservation in these countries is not only left aside but has been brutally forced many steps backwards. NGO’s, at least here in Greece, are more than ever dependant on people’s support, uniting and raising their voice in favor of both social justice and provision, as well as environmental protection.

Unfortunately, there is a vast pool of issues arising and there are more to come, e.g. privatization of freshwater resources, exclusive management of seeds by corporations etc. So, I guess the bet, in the long-run, is whether this “industry” of volunteer abroad will manage to keep up with the developments and the demands for aid that those arise, in the years to come.

Which volunteer abroad destination is most underrated? Conversely, which is most overrated?

Well, I would say that regarding environmentally oriented projects, the Mediterranean region in general is underrated, since it usually “loses” when compared to more exotic and Hollywood like sceneries. For example, not many people (not even Mediterraneans) are aware that the Mediterranean sea is a biodiversity hot-spot, hosting among others, important species of marine mammals, like Sperm Whales, Common Dolphins, porpoises, the Mediterranean Monk Seal etc.; species threatened with extinction. There are quite a lot of volunteer projects implemented in the region, on sea turtle monitoring, whale-watching, dolphin sightings, environmental education, which should definitely gain more attention.

Location

Location:

Greece

Currency:

Euro

Weather:

Jan-Mar

61 F / 27 F

Apr-Jun

88 F / 41 F

Jul-Sep

91 F / 54 F

Oct-Dec

75 F / 30 F

Airports:

Athens

( ATH )

Heraklion

( HER )

Thessaloniki

( SKG )

If pastitsio and gyros aren't enough of a reason for you to go to Greece; then the stunningly blue waters, the medieval cities, and picturesque white houses with blue roofs should do the trick. Every island has a different vibe and will be well suited for a variety of travelers.

About MOm

MOm/The Hellenic Society for the Study and Protection of the Monk Seal is a not-for-profit, non-governmental environmental organization, established in 1988. MOm's mission is "the protection of the marine and coastal environment, focusing on the critically endangered Mediterranean monk seal”. In acknowledgment of MOm’s contribution to the...

Northern Aegean Dolphin Project in Greece

Program Details

Pricing

About Program

Video and Photos

Related Programs

GVI, Ethical Impact: Volunteer in Greece

Be The Change. Be a Global Volunteer in Greece

Arts & Music Volunteer Programs from $21/day

Program Reviews

Best time of my life!

SOMETHING SPECIAL

Brilliant!!!!!!!

The Northen Aegean Dolphin Project

An amazing, unique experience!