The love of the sea and the will to leave the chaos of the city. These are the ingredients of an unusual holiday to discover dolphins and wonderful places, sailing around the Aeolian islands. The Aeolian Dolphin Research (Adr) offers a unique chance to experience the sea in a comprehensive way. It is an association devoted to the study of the cetaceans between the coast of the province of Messina and the Aeolian islands and for the promotion of environmental defence.

The Association was born in 2008 and it is officially active since January 2009. The Adr has put into practice the targets of the “AlphaDEL Project – Milazzo”, that, in 2007, started to collect data on the sighting and landing of dolphins in the area between Milazzo, the Aeolian islands and Patti. So sailing in search of dolphins at the Aeolian islands individually or in group on boats 13-14 metres long, in a double cabin. On board, a part from a skipper that will captain the boat, it will be possible to learn the sighting techniques and photo-identification, understand the behaviour and the peculiarities of dolphins and whales that live in the Mediterranean Sea and listen to the sounds produced by dolphins thanks to a hydrophone. It will also be possible to take part in sailing lessons, both in theory and in practice, and during the weekly excursions to enjoy the wonderful landscape of the Aeolian Islands, with their crystal clear water and extraordinary Posidonia sea beds.

Translated by Chiara Nunnari from John Milton Institute