Watch dolphins and whales from Nice, Côte d'Azur.

Discover the magic of cetaceans on the Côte d'Azur

In the heart of the splendid Côte d'Azur, the Shelltone Whale Project invites you on an exceptional adventure: whale watching in Nice.

Dive into the Pelagos marine sanctuary, a haven for whales, dolphins, sperm whales and many other marine species, and enjoy an unforgettable experience in a small group.

A respectful and intimate approach

Limited to 8 passengers, our yacht offers an intimate and respectful experience, far from the crowds.

Our 5-hour outing starts in the port of Beaulieu-sur-Mer at 9am and we return at 2pm, on a sailing boat: a wonderful experience!

This conscious approach ensures a moment of sharing and discovery with the greatest respect for the animals and their natural habitat.

Immerse yourself in the Pelagos Marine Mammal Sanctuary

The Pelagos Sanctuary, a protected marine area, is the scene of our observations.

This haven of biodiversity is home to around ten species of cetacean. (Dolphins, whales, sperm whales, pilot whales...)

Aboard our yacht, you'll have the unique opportunity to get up close to these majestic creatures in their natural environment, and to observe their behaviour at sea, all year round.

IMPORTANT

We are not tourism professionalsWe welcome you on board to share our passion and experience.

Our Association under the law of 1901, recognised as being in the public interest for its scientific research on cetaceans and its environmental actions in the marine environment in the Pelagos Sanctuary has enabled us to develop our respectful approach techniques. in the marine environment in the Pelagos Sanctuary.

We do not guarantee the presence of animals during our tripsThis is impossible. Of course we do our best to find them, but if you think you can't handle your frustration in case we don't observe any, then you'd better not come with us to our mission.

We are setting up a georeferenced database and acoustics of all cetaceans encountered in the Pelagos Sanctuary off Nice. Your participation in our sea trips helps to finance our research. We only take on board people who are in a good mood. Observe the animals that we see at the moment by clicking on the button below.

OUR RECENT OBSERVATIONS

RATES

Participation in the cost of a day out at sea from 9am to 2pm. The Nice outing takes place on a sailing boat and lasts 5 hours: a magnificent experience!

95 Euros per adult and 65 Euros per child under 12 from 01/04/2023.

BOOK YOUR SEA TRIP IN NICE

Book your place now for an exceptional sailing trip with the Shelltone Whale Project, and share with us the fascinating experience of whale watching on the Côte d'Azur.

1 - Click on the date of your choice.
2 - Confirm the number of adults and children.
3 - Payment is made online by credit card.
4 - You will immediately receive your boarding ticket by e-mail.

Payment by credit card 100% secured on this site.

Why choose Shelltone Whale Project for your Cetacean Watching?

By choosing the Shelltone Whale Project for your adventure at sea, you are opting for an enriching experience that goes beyond simple observation.

Our mission and our team, dedicated to scientific research and marine conservation, guarantee an educational outing where every encounter with cetaceans contributes to a greater project of protection and inter-species understanding.

Take a moment to browse our site « Mission & Team » and « Our actions » it will help you understand who we are and why our observations are important and exciting.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

When are cetaceans seen in Nice?
When should I book?
What is the maximum number of passengers on the boat?
From what age do we accept children?
Where do you board from?
How long does the trip last?
What happens if the outing is cancelled due to bad weather?

There is no need to contact us to ask whether the outing will be held due to bad weather. If we have to cancel, rest assured, you will be the first to be informed. If we have to cancel the outing because of bad weather, either the outing will be postponed to a date of your choice, or you will be refunded the full amount of your payment, at your convenience.
Can I cancel my outing?

Yes, I can cancel my outing at any time by notifying us by e-mail. A cancellation fee of 2% of the total amount will be deducted from the amount refunded.

However, this cancellation is no longer possible from 72 hours before the departure time of the expedition, except on presentation of a medical certificate issued by a doctor for the person cancelling the booking or in the event of force majeure, accident or other. Traffic jams are not a cause of force majeure.
What should we take with us and what should we wear during the excursion?

Use lycra-type clothing to protect you from the sun, or biodegradable sun cream.

Take a swimming costume and a towel, we sometimes swim on the way back.

A sailboat is a boat that moves more than a zodiac or ferry, if you have the slightest doubt take Dramamine or Mercalm 20 min before getting on board, Confused ginger works great too. It can save your day 🙂

A cool box is on board with water, syrups and snacks. Tea and coffee are available after your packed lunch.

The ship is entirely non-smoking, and a waterproof bag and portable ashtray are available for smoking on the shore.
What can we do if we feel seasick?

Haven't found the answer to your question? Don't hesitate to contact us by e-mail on this page CONTACT.

THE CREW THAT ACCOMPANIES YOU AT SEA

Whale and dolphin watching in Nice, Côte d'Azur

Lori, your guide with Pierre Lavagne de Castellan during his Shelltone Whale Project training.

OUR BOAT, THE CETACEA

Dolphins often come near the boat and play with us...

Welcome aboard the Cetacean, a beautiful 13 meter sailboat, our silent boat offers a nice closeness with the animals, very stable and comfortable And you will never be crowded on our boat 🙂

Whale and dolphin watching on a sailing boat in Nice Côte d'Azur

Dolphin and whale watching from a Mediterranean sailing boat in Nice

A spacious and comfortable boat so that the 8 passengers (maximum) can closely observe the animals.

Dolphins, sperm whales and whales all swim near our home port of Nice on the Côte d'Azur.

The Shelltone Whale Project has developed a cetacean approach protocol, which is applied to every sea trip among Mediterranean whales, dolphins and sperm whales within the Pelagos marine sanctuary.
Our observation protocol is governed by simple principles:

Our daily trips to the sea to conduct our research have enabled us to establish a climate of trust with the whales, sperm whales and dolphins of the Côte d'Azur, who alone decide to interact with humans in a calm, serene atmosphere.
On each trip, we use our hydrophone (underwater microphone) and we decipher the sounds heard in the sea, whale songs, sperm whale codas, dolphin whistles and pilot whales of the French Riviera. These sounds, heard live, allow us to decide on the orientation of the boat to give us the best chance to observe the animals.
A unique experience, a scientific, ecological and educational approach, based on the principles of non-intrusion and mutual respect for the dolphins, sperm whales and whales of the Pelagos Sanctuary in Nice Côte d'Azur.