Whale Watching in Liguria, Italy, but make it sustainable

Whale Watching Experience in Liguria – An Experience Report by Stefany Seipp, founder of Green Pearls®

«Every time we have been to Imperia over the last few years, we have thought about booking a tour with the whale watching boat. Two different hearts beat in my chest: the first wants to avoid disturbing the animals as much as possible, and the second wishes to learn more about these marine creatures that are worth protecting. This year, curiosity prevailed and we signed up for a tour on the 2nd of July 2023. This was led by a marine biologist who shared a wealth of information with us on the trip to the marine reserve.»

Good to know: The marine and whale sanctuary off the Ligurian coast has existed since 1991 and covers an area of around 100 square kilometers. It extends to the French coast and forms almost a square with the islands of Sardinia and Corsica and the Italian coast. The area has an enormous biodiversity with zooplankton and phytoplankton as well as over 8500 large animal species including various species of whales and dolphins. In Italian, the marine protected area is called Santuario dei Cetacei – Sanctuary of the Whales.

«After barely 30 minutes of sailing, a large group of dolphins swam alongside and delighted everyone with their jumps and antics. They obviously enjoyed jumping and diving up close to the boat again and again. A manta ray was also curious enough to approach us, and we were able to marvel at a turtle in its natural habitat.

The further out we went, the more excited we became to finally spot some whales. The boat turned and the engine was eased down as we slowly entered the 5-mile zone of the sanctuary.

The tension continued to rise. Sure enough, whales were sighted just before they dived again. The captain turned off the engine and we waited. The marine biologist quietly explained that they were Cuvier’s beaked whales, which can stay underwater for up to 45 minutes. The Cuvier’s beaked whale is the most common species of beaked whale. It was named after its discoverer, the naturalist Georges Cuvier, who first identified the previously unknown animal in 1823.

After about 50 minutes of waiting and absolute silence on board, they actually reappeared near the boat and slowly swam past us.

We had now been traveling for six hours. The captain was already steering the boat back when we saw two water plumes nearby. We slowed down and saw two fin whales, a mother with her calf, swimming close to our boat. Fin whales are the second largest mammals in the world and are also found in the Mediterranean Sea. The marine biologist emphasized several times how lucky we were to see and observe all these animals. This doesn’t happen on every trip, she said, the sea is not an aquarium.»

Sustainable Accommodation in Liguria: The Albergo Diffuso Relais del Maro

Just a few kilometers from Imperia and the Ligurian coast lies the small village of Borgomaro. In the historic center of the village, guests stay in the lovingly restored rooms of the Relais del Maro. As an Albergo Diffuso, the Relais del Maro offers unique accommodation: the rooms are not located in a single house, but in three historic buildings. Travelers stay in the heart of the village and experience authentic Italian life. The excellent breakfast is served in the main house. There is also a large garden with a terrace and pool where travelers can relax after hours on the water and absorb the special experiences and information about the sanctuary and the whales.

Whale watching has developed into a multi-million-dollar industry within tourism in recent decades, especially since the worldwide ban on whaling. In principle, it should be welcomed that money can be earned by observing living whales, says the WWF. The loss of fishing jobs has also been at least partially offset by the tourism industry.

Whale watching tours and getting to know the marine mammals in their natural habitat also increases travelers’ awareness and inspires them to become more involved in environmental and marine protection.

However, the economic boom surrounding the whales has not been without consequences. In addition to reputable operators concerned about animal welfare, there are also a number of operators who want to offer tourists the experience without any respect for the animals. The marine mammals are harassed, cornered and sometimes chased or injured by collisions with boats. Behavioral disorders and injuries are often the results. The noise of the boats also disturbs the communication of the marine animals, which can lead to disorientation and further changes in behavior.

Regulations for Whale Watching? Not a chance!

There are no compulsory international regulations for whale watching tour operators. Although there are various guidelines published by animal protection organizations or the International Whaling Commission (IWC), none of them are mandatory. For the Mediterranean region, however, travelers can use the certificate of ACCOBAMS, an association of the Mediterranean and Black Sea states for the protection of whales and dolphins, as a guide.

How to do it Differently: Sustainable and Respectful Whale Watching

The most animal- and environmentally-friendly way is whale watching from land. This is easily possible in some places in the world, such as the coasts of Canada and South Africa and partly on Sylt – provided you travel there during the whale season. When whale watching from a boat, there are a few things that travellers can find out before booking to decide whether the provider in question operates in an animal-friendly way.

These include, for example, whether there are trained professionals on board to educate tourists about the whales’ behaviour. The combination of tourist tours and research (counting, reporting sightings, natural history excursions, etc.) is also a good sign. During the tour, the boat should keep a minimum distance of about 100 metres from the whales or dolphins, switch off the engines and wait to see if the animals approach on their own. Feeding and touching is just as much a no-go as following or chasing groups.

Conclusion: It is possible to make it sustainable

Whale watching tours have positive and negative effects that travelers should be aware of. Due to the lack of regulations, however, it is of particular importance that tourists are mindful of their responsibility when choosing an activity. Labels and certificates offer some guidance. However, these should be verified in advance. A look at the ratings also gives interested parties information about the actual behavior of the providers on the water. When in doubt, it is always more animal-friendly to stay on land and try your luck from there.